The Rohingya crisis is an ongoing issue in Bangladesh. We must all strive to ensure that the importance of the Rohingya problem does not diminish in the ongoing global and internal crises. Due to war and various humanitarian disasters, the amount of aid for the Rohingya has decreased as well as its appeal. As a result, the resolution of the problem is prolonged and the Rohingya situation is complicated. In order to deal with the Rohingya crisis, in addition to solving the problems of the Rohingyas sheltered in Bangladesh, the situation in Rakhine State must also be prepared for their return. In the ongoing situation of Bangladesh, the Rohingya crisis should be given importance like all other problems and the efforts to solve it should be continued.
The ongoing clashes between the Arakan Army (AA) and the Myanmar Army in Maungdoo Township, bordering Bangladesh in Rakhine State, Myanmar, have raised the possibility of Rohingya infiltration through various border points in Teknaf. In August, several Rohingyas were killed when two boats capsized while trying to cross into Bangladesh from Myanmar. As Rohingyas have been driven out of Mangdu by the ongoing conflict, Rohingyas have been targeted by heavy weapons and casualties by the Myanmar Army as they wait along the Naf River to cross into Bangladesh. Many others were injured in the AA drone attack on the banks of the Naf river. Many Rohingya are being killed in the crossfire between the AA and the Myanmar military. Rohingyas are trying to enter Bangladesh by boat through several points of the Teknaf border as the conflict between the AA and the army in Myanmar escalates. They are being forced to return to Myanmar due to the activities of BGB members.
There are also allegations that the Myanmar army has forcibly deployed large numbers of Rohingya against the Rakhine. The Myanmar military, now facing an onslaught, has sought to exploit lingering sectarian bitterness in Rakhine State to advance its own agenda. Due to the ongoing conflict in Myanmar, 13 members of Myanmar's Border Guard Police (BGP) crossed the Naf River and took refuge in Bangladesh on August 14 from Maungdu suburb of Rakhine State. Currently 123 BGP members are in police custody in Bangladesh. Efforts to return them to Myanmar are being delayed by the ongoing political crisis. The authorities are trying to send them back by the end of August. Due to the conflict in Rakhine, from February 2024, members of BGP and other organizations started taking refuge in Bangladesh through Bandarban and Cox's Bazar border. 752 policemen and their family members were sent back to Myanmar in three rounds on 15th, 25th April and 9th June. This trend is still ongoing. Currently, Bangladesh is under the control of the Myanmar border and any infiltration and security disturbances through this border should be kept under control.
In Cox's Bazar Rohingya camp, the Arakan Salvation Army (Arsa) and the Arakan Rohingya Solidarity Organization (RSO) clashed and fired, resulting in casualties. The operation of law and order forces is going on in the camp to nab the terrorists. In the ongoing situation, the security of the camp needs to be ensured and kept under control. Despite various limitations, Bangladesh has been sheltering about 12.50 lakh Rohingya for about seven years. Repatriation of Rohingyas to Myanmar is the only sustainable solution to this crisis. However, so far the situation has not been created for the Rohingyas to return to Myanmar. Bangladesh continues to communicate with all concerned parties to initiate Rohingya repatriation. The international community should come forward to invest in the development of their livelihoods for the assimilation of the Rohingya in Rakhine. In the ongoing situation, besides ensuring the security of the camp to control this crisis, the border guard should be strengthened and surveillance should be increased to prevent new infiltration. BGB and Coast Guard patrols and strict vigilance have been strengthened in Teknaf to ensure that no Rohingya can cross the border again.
It is not possible for Bangladesh to shelter Rohingyas indefinitely due to limited resources in populous Bangladesh. The international community must ensure effective cooperation in the repatriation of the Rohingyas, taking into account the limitations and concerns of Bangladesh. Sustainable and voluntary repatriation in Rakhine needs to be initiated quickly by creating an enabling environment. The violence against the Rohingya in the ongoing conflict in Rakhine, the displacement of the Rohingya and their forced recruitment into the Myanmar army have made the situation intolerable and not desirable.
A resolution was unanimously adopted at the 56th session of the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva to repatriate the Rohingyas sheltered in Bangladesh to Myanmar and ensure their justice and accountability. On the initiative of Bangladesh, the proposal titled 'Human rights situation of Rohingya Muslims and other minorities in Myanmar' was presented by all the member states of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) in the session of the Human Rights Council. At the end of the discussion, the proposal was unanimously accepted by the UN Human Rights Council on July 10. The proposal was adopted with an emphasis on a sustainable solution to the ongoing Rohingya crisis by creating a supportive environment. The resolution calls on all warring parties in Myanmar to protect the Rohingya and ensure their safety is called upon. Expressing concern over the loss of life and property of neighboring countries, including Bangladesh, due to the Myanmar conflict, the resolution urged Myanmar to take necessary measures to maintain stability along its international borders.
At the BIMSTEC Foreign Ministers' Conference held in July, Myanmar's Foreign Minister Than Sui responded positively to the start of Rohingya repatriation and reiterated his intention to start repatriation quickly in discussions with his government. However, there is no possibility of implementing this process in the current context.
In the last seven years, no successful initiative has been reported to create harmony and eliminate differences between the Rohingya and the Rakhine. The Myanmar government has not yet taken any significant steps in this regard. Over time, the plight of Rohingyas who have taken refuge in Bangladesh is gradually increasing. Similarly, the Rohingyas in Rakhine are not doing well. They are being used as human shields by the AA and the Myanmar Army. The Myanmar military is succeeding in its objective of ethnic division, ignoring the acceptance of the Rohingya in Rakhine, and making the solution to the Rohingya problem more complicated and protracted. Myanmar's military government has 70 years of experience in psychological warfare. They are adept at using this experience to create racial divides. The junta in Rakhine State created a rift between the Rohingya and the Rakhine, forcing them to flee the country. This process is still ongoing.
The recent escalation of violence in Myanmar, the forced recruitment of Rohingya into the armed forces and the ongoing conflict in Rakhine require all parties to take effective measures to prevent the recurrence of brutal crimes committed against the Rohingya in Myanmar. The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights must prioritize the Rohingya issue until justice is achieved and a sustainable solution to the Rohingya crisis is achieved.
Although AA claims to represent all people living in Rakhine state, the organization has been accused of atrocities against the Rohingya during the Myanmar army's genocidal campaign in 2017. A victory in Rakhine state would have significant implications for any decision regarding the repatriation of Rohingya refugees. Bangladesh is working to ensure the security of Rohingya camps and has strengthened border patrols and surveillance. Similarly, it has to play an important role in handling the situation in Rakhine State on the Myanmar side. The international community and all concerned must initiate meaningful political dialogue with the AA, the Government of National Unity (NUG) and other ethnic armed organizations (EAOs) to ensure the recognition of Rohingya ethnicity and rights. In the current situation, the Rohingya repatriation process must be implemented by continuing to apply constant pressure from outside. It is hoped that the international community, AA and NUG leadership will discuss among themselves to take initiatives to ensure the safety of the Rohingya living in Rakhine State to speed up the repatriation process.
Brigadier General Hasan Md. Shamsuddin, NDC, AFWC, PSC, M.Phil (Retd.)
Researcher on Myanmar and Rohingya