Khalilur Rahman, the chief advisor’s top aide, has said the current conditions in Myanmar’s Rakhine State make it impossible to ensure the safe repatriation of Rohingya refugees at this time.
“We have kept all doors open. We are engaging with all parties,” he told journalists in Cox’s Bazar on Friday evening after attending the traditional Maha Sangrain Poweh, a water festival celebrated by the Rakhine community.
Earlier in the day, he visited the Rohingya camp in Ukhiya.
Khalilur said: “We are working with all parties to help bring peace and stability to Arakan so that a conducive environment for repatriation can be created.”
He believes collective efforts by all nations will make the repatriation of the Rohingya easier.
On Apr 4, the Chief Advisor’s Office (CAO) said Myanmar’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister U Than Shwe had informed Bangladesh that a partial verification of the list of 800,000 Rohingya refugees had been completed.
As part of the verification process, Myanmar has identified 180,000 Rohingya as eligible for repatriation, with Khalilur calling the move timely.
Than Shwe shared the update with the chief advisor’s higher aide during a meeting on the sidelines of the BIMSTEC Summit in Bangkok.
He also noted that the final verification process for 70,000 Rohingyas is ongoing, involving cross-checking of names and photos.
Myanmar has also promised to expedite the verification of the remaining 550,000 Rohingya on the list.
Referring to his Friday visit to the Rohingya camp, Khalilur said he had informed the refugees about an upcoming United Nations conference where arrangements had been made for their unified and spontaneous participation.
“They will be able to express their future hopes and dreams there.”
“We are hopeful,” he added. “Our chief advisor has said we are working towards fulfilling the promise made to the Rohingya to celebrate the next Eid in their own country.”
More than 750,000 Rohingya fled Myanmar’s Rakhine State and sought refuge in Bangladesh after Aug 25, 2017, in the wake of a military crackdown.
They joined an estimated 400,000 others already sheltering in overcrowded camps near Cox’s Bazar, a coastal district where one of the world’s largest refugee settlements now exists.
Under mounting international pressure, Myanmar’s then-government, led by Aung San Suu Kyi, signed a repatriation agreement with Bangladesh in late 2017.
But two attempts to return refugees in 2019 failed, as the Rohingya refused to go back without guarantees of safety and citizenship.
The situation deteriorated further in 2021 when Myanmar’s military, led by Gen Min Aung Hlaing, seized power in a coup, effectively ending any prospect of diplomatic negotiations.
Subsequent efforts mediated by China also collapsed.
The crisis has since been compounded by fresh violence in Rakhine State, leading to another wave of Rohingya arrivals in Bangladesh.
In a recent statement, Chief Advisor Muhammad Yunus said more than 80,000 additional refugees had crossed the border.
Yunus has sought to galvanise international attention, proposing a high-level conference at the 79th session of the UN General Assembly.
The initiative aims to bring together key stakeholders, including donor nations and regional powers, to explore new pathways for repatriation.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres, who visited the Rohingya camps in Cox’s Bazar earlier this month, underscored the urgency of a long-term solution.
After sharing an Iftar with displaced families, he reiterated the United Nations’ commitment to securing “a voluntary, safe and sustainable return” for all refugees.
“Ultimately, we have to find a solution in Myanmar,” Guterres said.
Khalilur visited several Kyangs (monasteries) in Cox’s Bazar on the occasion of the Rakhine community’s water festival.
Extending greetings to everyone at this time, he said: “Bangladesh is a land enriched with diverse religions, ethnicities, and cultures. The country is now in a festive mood.”
He hoped that such events would play a significant role in the country’s culture in the future.
Source: https://bdnews24.com/bangladesh/a31a0721b4d0
