MM Rahmatullah: Foreign Minister Dr Hasan Mahmud said that India and China can resolve the Rohingya crisis, the crisis of about 1.3 million Rohingya refugees and victims of persecution in Myanmar has now become a regional crisis. This crisis may deepen in the future. Therefore, it is necessary to ensure the return of Rohingyas to their country as full citizens as soon as possible and this is the only permanent solution.
FM Hasan Mahmud said these at the Seminar titled ‘Rohingya Crisis: Future Plan’ organized on the occasion of the 45th founding anniversary of the Overseas Correspondents Association Bangladesh (OCAB) at the National Press Club in the capital on Sunday as the chief guest.
OCAB president Nazrul Islam presided over the event, while press club’s former president Shaukat Mahmud, DCAB president Nurul Islam Hasib and others spoke at the seminar.
The present guests along with OCAB general secretary Julhas Alam, joint-secretary Naeem-ul-Karim and other members participated in the cake cutting to mark the organization’s 45th anniversary.
Foreign minister also said we are adopting diplomatic ways to solve the Rohingya problem. At the same time we went to the international court. We have filed a case in the International Court of Justice (ICJ) through the Gambia and the OIC, giving us the ‘outcome’ so far in that case. Gambia said the case is going in the right direction. We hope that this case will have a positive outcome very soon, he added.
Hasan said, we hope that international pressure will fall on Myanmar through the ICJ. We have continuously tried to involve countries that have international influence on Myanmar in this matter. A few days ago, the US Assistant Secretary of State visited Bangladesh. The Rohingya issue was also discussed with him. He gave us some suggestions to solve the problem in that discussion.
Foreign minister mentioned, at the beginning of the year, we had a bilateral meeting with the foreign minister of Myanmar in Uganda. From that meeting, it seems to me that Myanmar wants to start the repatriation of Rohingya, even if it is to avoid international criticism. But the current situation in Rakhine state inside Myanmar, the army is fleeing and coming to us. Although this seems like a hindrance, the situation in Myanmar has never been so peaceful for the past 60-70 years. So in the meantime, we have to advance our efforts.
Stating that the only solution to the Rohingya crisis is their repatriation, Minister Hasan said that various international organizations have asked them to provide them with opportunities for livelihood. They are doing some work in the camp. But how do we guarantee their full livelihood? Making livelihood arrangements for the Rohingyas is not the solution. The only solution is to repatriate them with all rights.
Farid Hossain, OCAB executive committee member, presented the keynote speaker in the seminar. He said in the article, the continued stay of Rohingyas is affecting the economy, biodiversity, law and order situation of Bangladesh. Rohingyas are getting involved in crimes like drug and arms smuggling, terrorist activities, smuggling. Many fall victim to human traffickers and attempt to escape the camps and travel to countries such as Thailand, Malaysia and Indonesia. Even Rohingyas are getting involved in passport and NID scams in Bangladesh.
Shahriar Alam, Former State Minister for Foreign Affairs stressed on the humanitarian aspect and return of Rohingyas. He said, the Rohingya crisis is still a big problem worldwide. This crisis has to go much deeper. As time passes, the depth of this problem will increase. So the return of Rohingyas in a peaceful way is a big challenge. To solve this, the regional powers have to take initiatives together.
Prime Minister’s former information adviser Iqbal Sobhan Chowdhury said that the international support for the Rohingya crisis in the beginning is gradually decreasing. Due to the Ukraine-Russia war, the Gaza-Israel war, the Rohingya crisis has faded a lot worldwide.
Dhaka University Peace and Conflict Studies Department Professor Touhidul Islam said, Myanmar’s internal crisis is hindering the return of Rohingya. Pointing out that the Rohingyas are spreading in different parts of the country, he said that in terms of numbers, Bengalis are now a minority in Ukhia. From there they are spreading not only Teknaf Cox’s Bazar but all over the country.
Professor Delwar Hossain of the Department of International Relations of Dhaka University said that the activities of various militant groups including Arsa should be closely monitored in the camps.
