Myanmar’s partial Rohingya repatriation plan: Another attempt to mislead Bangladesh?

 On 15 August, the Myanmar Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a press statement on the state’s “ongoing efforts” towards the repatriation of Rohingya refugees. In its statement, Naypyidaw presented its own version of the Rohingya crisis and accused international media outlets of “partiality” and “disseminating disinformation”. Most importantly, the statement argued that only 308,797 persons residing in refugee camps in Bangladesh have been “verified” as former residents of Myanmar’s Rakhine State. Since this statement reflects the official position of the Myanmar government on the Rohingya issue, it needs to be examined in depth.

First, consistent with its earlier position, Myanmar has refused to accept the distinct identity of the Rohingyas and branded them as “Bengalis” in the statement. However, the Rohingyas do not self-identify as Bengalis and view themselves as a distinct ethnic community. According to renowned British historical sociologist Anthony Smith, an ethnic community is defined by six features: a common proper name, a myth of common ancestry, shared historical memories, one or more elements of common culture, a link to a historic homeland, and a measure of solidarity.

To read more, click here: https://www.thedailystar.net/slow-reads/geopolitical-insights/news/myanmars-partial-rohingya-repatriation-plan-another-attempt-mislead-bangladesh-4251776