While Myanamr blames Bangladesh for the delay in repatriating displaced Rohingyas, the international community, including the US, UK and the UN, has released statements opposing immediate return on the ground that the condition in Rakhine is not favourable with the Rohingya people still traumatized by the memories of recent atrocities that drove them out in the first place. The concern of the international community is understandable. Bangladesh does not want to force anyone to go back either because it’s common sense that sending someone back when images of horror are still fresh in the mind would be unfair. Also, without any concrete promise of safety, sending back the persecuted in the face of potential danger would be a blatant breach of the law of non-refoulement.

However, the vacillating position of the international sides is vexing because while they refrain from exerting any pressure on Myanmar, demands are constantly mounting on Bangladesh as if the crisis was manufactured here.

As we express our gratitude to other nations for sending doctors, medicines, aid and clothes for the Rohingyas, the rather unpalatable truth is that no country has imposed any sanction on Myanmar which orchestrated this whole saga of suffering. This has made Myanmar’s flimsy administration, controlled by the military, even more arbitrary.  

To speak unequivocally: the mealy mouthed approach with help given on one side to the refugees while refraining from creating any pressure on Myanmar to open up Rakhine to UN inspectors, aid bodies for thorough inspection, underlines a vacillating attitude, reeking of hypocrisy. As a matter of fact, US, UK and India have done very little to ensure that Myanmar adheres to international law and create unhindered access to the affected areas for assessment. Unless the major powers unite to compel Myanmar to be candid about the current situation in Rakhine, there is no certainty that the Rohingyas going back will find themselves in a safe place.  

Regrettably, India, being the regional super power, has been apathetic on the whole issue, perfunctorily carrying out the aid giving duty as if to ensure that no questions are raised on her muted role. Bangladesh with her finite resources cannot look after the displaced forever though from the current conditions we feel that while repatriation may be talked about, in reality, the Rohingyas will end up being our responsibility.

It seems, compared to the perceived commercial interests that major nations have in the recently opened resource rich Myanmar, the fate of an ethnic minority, relentlessly persecuted, becomes insignificant.