‘Regional countries, especially China, must help resolve Rohingya crisis’

Participants in a panel discussion yesterday said the Rohingya crisis should be resolved with the engagement of the regional countries, especially China as it was not a crisis limited to two countries only.

They also said punitive sanctions on Myanmar by one or two countries would not be effective. Instead, it would push Myanmar further towards China.

The speakers said everybody should stand by Bangladesh to facilitate the repatriation of the Rohingya people, though there was no quick solution to the problem.

They also said there should be vigilance to prevent any radicalisation of the Rohingyas or militant activities.

These observations were made at a discussion on ‘Resolving the Rohingya Crisis Potential Long Term Implications’ organised by the Canadian High Commission at a city hotel.

Canada's special envoy to Myanmar Bob Rae said, “The Rohingya crisis will not affect only Myanmar but will also have a direct impact on Bangladesh. It is not limited to two countries. It will ultimately affect a number of different countries in the region.”

He said, “This sort of crisis is not good for the region. Bangladesh is playing its good role in dealing with the crisis. Punitive sanction over Myanmar by one or two countries is not going to be effective. Let’s try every platform to work together.”

“Those who are responsible for the atrocities need to face justice. Justice will be done whether it takes two, five, 10 or 20 years. The perpetrators should be brought to justice,” he added.

He suggested a transitional plan for the safe, voluntary dignified return of the Rohingya to their homeland in Rakhine state in Myanmar. Bangladesh is not their homeland, he added. He also said education, skill and work can be given to the Rohingya people during this transitional period for their survival in the long run.

Ambassador M Humayun Kabir said, “Bangladesh is making its efforts and the international community recognizes that a dignified solution is needed. But the key player here is China. We need to somehow manage China. If we can’t do that directly, we can encourage other friends like the ASEAN partners, India, and Japan to influence China.”

He also said the engagement of the United Nations and other countries was important to resolve the crisis. Major Gen (Retd) ANM Muniruzzaman said, “The security measures have to be taken seriously so that these people do not get involved in arms dealing or drug or human trafficking.”

He said, “It will be dangerous to allow the Rohingya people to mingle with the local people. We need a multi-track approach to address the issue.”

Brig Gen (Retd) M Sakhawat Hussain said, “We’ve to engage China, the only country that can help us. Only China has a leverage over Myanmar.”

Raja Devasish Roy said civil society engagement including the secular Buddhists can help in addressing the crisis.

State minister for foreign affairs Shahriar Alam said the ASEAN partners like Cambodia, Vietnam and Indonesia for the first time said that they would stand beside Bangladesh to address the crisis, though they did not have any mandate to get involved in internal affairs.

“Just before the election, we were reasonably convinced that Myanmar will take their inhabitants back, though they did not recognise them as their citizens. But we promised that their return would be voluntary, dignified and safe. The process that we undertook with our other UN partners created some confusion. We voiced our concern. We will place the issue in Geneva this month,” he added.

About the potential of radicalisation, he said, “We don’t rule out such possibilities but our intelligence agencies are vigilant. We have taken measures to control it.”

About the arrangements for the Rohingyas in Bhashanchar, he said, “Some of our partners expressed doubt that the Rohingyas will be in trouble in Bhashanchar. Why will the Bangladesh government put them in trouble when we have given shelter to one million of them. Only ten per cent of Rohingya can stay there. Everybody should trust each other.”

He said Bangladesh would continue its pressure on Myanmar for the repatriation of the Rohingyas.

Regional countries, especially China, must help resolve Rohingya crisis

Participants in a panel discussion yesterday said the Rohingya crisis should be resolved with the engagement of the regional countries, especially China as it was not a crisis limited to two countries only. They also said punitive sanctions on Myanmar by one or two countries would not be effective. Instead, it would push Myanmar further towards China. The speakers said everybody should stand by Bangladesh to facilitate the repatriation of the Rohingya people, though there was no quick solution to the problem. They also said there should be vigilance to prevent any radicalisation of the Rohingyas or militant activities. These observations were made at a discussion on Resolving the Rohingya Crisis Potential Long Term Implications organised by the Canadian High Commission at a city hotel. Canadas special envoy to Myanmar Bob Rae said, The Rohingya crisis will not affect only Myanmar but will also have a direct impact on Bangladesh. It is not limited to two countries. It will ultimately affect a number of different countries in the region. He said, This sort of crisis is not good for the region. Bangladesh is playing its good role in dealing with the crisis. Punitive sanction over Myanmar by one or two countries is not going to be effective. Lets try every platform to work together. Those who are responsible for the atrocities need to face justice. Justice will be done whether it takes two, five, 10 or 20 years. The perpetrators should be brought to justice, he added. He suggested a transitional plan for the safe, voluntary dignified return of the Rohingya to their homeland in Rakhine state in Myanmar. Bangladesh is not their homeland, he added. He also said education, skill and work can be given to the Rohingya people during this transitional period for their survival in the long run. Ambassador M Humayun Kabir said, Bangladesh is making its efforts and the international community recognizes that a dignified solution is needed. But the key player here is China. We need to somehow manage China. If we cant do that directly, we can encourage other friends like the ASEAN partners, India, and Japan to influence China. He also said the engagement of the United Nations and other countries was important to resolve the crisis. Major Gen (Retd) ANM Muniruzzaman said, The security measures have to be taken seriously so that these people do not get involved in arms dealing or drug or human trafficking. He said, It will be dangerous to allow the Rohingya people to mingle with the local people. We need a multi-track approach to address the issue. Brig Gen (Retd) M Sakhawat Hussain said, Weve to engage China, the only country that can help us. Only China has a leverage over Myanmar. Raja Devasish Roy said civil society engagement including the secular Buddhists can help in addressing the crisis. State minister for foreign affairs Shahriar Alam said the ASEAN partners like Cambodia, Vietnam and Indonesia for the first time said that they would stand beside Bangladesh to address the crisis, though they did not have any mandate to get involved in internal affairs. Just before the election, we were reasonably convinced that Myanmar will take their inhabitants back, though they did not recognise them as their citizens. But we promised that their return would be voluntary, dignified and safe. The process that we undertook with our other UN partners created some confusion. We voiced our concern. We will place the issue in Geneva this month, he added. About the potential of radicalisation, he said, We dont rule out such possibilities but our intelligence agencies are vigilant. We have taken measures to control it. About the arrangements for the Rohingyas in Bhashanchar, he said, Some of our partners expressed doubt that the Rohingyas will be in trouble in Bhashanchar. Why will the Bangladesh government put them in trouble when we have given shelter to one million of them. Only ten per cent of Rohingya can stay there. Everybody should trust each other. He said Bangladesh would continue its pressure on Myanmar for the repatriation of the Rohingyas.