Fresh moves on to send Rohingyas back home

The government is making renewed efforts for the repatriation of Rohingya refugees to their place of origin in Rakhine state of Myanmar. With the passing of time, the repatriation process is becoming more complex as, according to experts, Myanmar is trying to get the support of several countries to reduce the international pressures it is currently facing. In another development, a foreign ministry source yesterday said that the ministry will brief the foreign envoys in Dhaka today about the latest situation over the Rohingya repatriation and the other ongoing issues about the crisis

Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen will brief the diplomats and representatives of the UN agencies at State guesthouse Padma in the capital at 4pm. Regarding the repatriation, experts say Bangladesh has to intensify its pressure on Myanmar with the help friendly countries such as China, India, and the ASEAN nations as well as the countries having direct investments there. They also say Bangladesh should make full use of the International Court of Justice and International Criminal Court to ensure justice and accountability for the genocidal crimes committed against the Rohingya people by the Myanmar army.

They maintain that Bangladesh should make strong preparations ahead of the UN General Assembly in New York next month to step up efforts to create pressure on Myanmar for expediting the process of repatriation.

Foreign ministry sources said they were moving with renewed efforts after the failure of the second attempt at Rohingya repatriation on August 22. The attempt failed because of the refusal of the Rohingyas to return to their homeland without citizenship rights and security being guaranteed.

The foreign ministry said the preparations for the repatriation were made after getting assurances from Myanmar that security had been made fool-proof in Rakhine for the return of the Rohingyas, but the refugees were not convinced. The displaced Rohingyas, sheltered in Cox’s Bazar, renewed their vows at a rally on August 25, held to mark what they call ‘Genocide Day’, that they would not return until their citizenship rights and security were guaranteed. The government has taken a serious note of the huge gathering.

Sources said that the rally was held without permission. With the delay in the repatriation, tension is brewing among local residents, who say they are suffering because of the prolonged stay of the Rohingya people. Keeping these factors in mind, government high-ups are holding meetings with the local administration of the Cox’s Bazar district about maintaining law and order in the area.

After the failure of the repatriation attempt, law enforcers are alert in maintaining calm around the Rohingya camps.

“It’s evident that Myanmar staged a show in the name of Rohingya repatriation. But they don’t have any option but to take back their people. Bangladesh should intensify the pressure on Myanmar with the help of close countries including China,” Imtiaz Ahmed, professor of International Relations at Dhaka University, told The Independent recently.

“Besides, the International Criminal Court and International Court of Justice have started working. Bangladesh has to make the full use of it to ensure the accountability and justice that will ultimately put a huge pressure on Myanmar internationally,” he added.

He further said Bangladesh should make the full use of United Nations General Assembly in September to mount pressure on Myanmar for taking practical measures to pave the way for the repatriation of the Rohingyas.

Experts said Bangladesh should not leave any stone unturned to maximise its efforts in making Myanmar remove the mistrust and suspicion that are holding up the repatriation. Two years on, the Rohingya crisis is now moving towards a protracted mode, which will raise various concerns for the host community as the problem is multi-dimensional.

Even the UN Resident Coordinator in Bangladesh said at a programme in the capital on Tuesday: “The Rohingya crisis is a defining tragedy of all time. It’s a complex issue. It cannot be resolved overnight. The international community should work collectively.”

Regarding the other development, after the briefing with the envoy, the foreign minister will brief the journalists about their discussion.

In addition, foreign ministry sources said a meeting of a taskforce was held at the ministry yesterday on the current

situation and upcoming challenges of Rohingya crisis and will discuss about the possible solutions.  Soon after the failure of the second attempt of repatriation on August 22, the government has started fresh steps to make the repatriation process feasible, sources said.

Fresh moves on to send Rohingyas back home

The government is making renewed efforts for the repatriation of Rohingya refugees to their place of origin in Rakhine state of Myanmar. With the passing of time, the repatriation process is becoming more complex as, according to experts, Myanmar is trying to get the support of several countries to reduce the international pressures it is currently facing. In another development, a foreign ministry source yesterday said that the ministry will brief the foreign envoys in Dhaka today about the latest situation over the Rohingya repatriation and the other ongoing issues about the crisis Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen will brief the diplomats and representatives of the UN agencies at State guesthouse Padma in the capital at 4pm. Regarding the repatriation, experts say Bangladesh has to intensify its pressure on Myanmar with the help friendly countries such as China, India, and the ASEAN nations as well as the countries having direct investments there. They also say Bangladesh should make full use of the International Court of Justice and International Criminal Court to ensure justice and accountability for the genocidal crimes committed against the Rohingya people by the Myanmar army. They maintain that Bangladesh should make strong preparations ahead of the UN General Assembly in New York next month to step up efforts to create pressure on Myanmar for expediting the process of repatriation. Foreign ministry sources said they were moving with renewed efforts after the failure of the second attempt at Rohingya repatriation on August 22. The attempt failed because of the refusal of the Rohingyas to return to their homeland without citizenship rights and security being guaranteed. The foreign ministry said the preparations for the repatriation were made after getting assurances from Myanmar that security had been made fool-proof in Rakhine for the return of the Rohingyas, but the refugees were not convinced. The displaced Rohingyas, sheltered in Coxs Bazar, renewed their vows at a rally on August 25, held to mark what they call Genocide Day, that they would not return until their citizenship rights and security were guaranteed. The government has taken a serious note of the huge gathering. Sources said that the rally was held without permission. With the delay in the repatriation, tension is brewing among local residents, who say they are suffering because of the prolonged stay of the Rohingya people. Keeping these factors in mind, government high-ups are holding meetings with the local administration of the Coxs Bazar district about maintaining law and order in the area. After the failure of the repatriation attempt, law enforcers are alert in maintaining calm around the Rohingya camps. Its evident that Myanmar staged a show in the name of Rohingya repatriation. But they dont have any option but to take back their people. Bangladesh should intensify the pressure on Myanmar with the help of close countries including China, Imtiaz Ahmed, professor of International Relations at Dhaka University, told The Independent recently. Besides, the International Criminal Court and International Court of Justice have started working. Bangladesh has to make the full use of it to ensure the accountability and justice that will ultimately put a huge pressure on Myanmar internationally, he added. He further said Bangladesh should make the full use of United Nations General Assembly in September to mount pressure on Myanmar for taking practical measures to pave the way for the repatriation of the Rohingyas. Experts said Bangladesh should not leave any stone unturned to maximise its efforts in making Myanmar remove the mistrust and suspicion that are holding up the repatriation. Two years on, the Rohingya crisis is now moving towards a protracted mode, which will raise various concerns for the host community as the problem is multi-dimensional. Even the UN Resident Coordinator in Bangladesh said at a programme in the capital on Tuesday: The Rohingya crisis is a defining tragedy of all time. Its a complex issue. It cannot be resolved overnight. The international community should work collectively. Regarding the other development, after the briefing with the envoy, the foreign minister will brief the journalists about their discussion. In addition, foreign ministry sources said a meeting of a taskforce was held at the ministry yesterday on the current situation and upcoming challenges of Rohingya crisis and will discuss about the possible solutions. Soon after the failure of the second attempt of repatriation on August 22, the government has started fresh steps to make the repatriation process feasible, sources said.