‘Don’t let Rohingya crisis slip off the global agenda’ - BANGLADESH Home Minister

 Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed yesterday said a quick and sustainable political solution to the Rohingya crisis requires strong cooperation from the international community and global organisations.

Speaking as chief guest at a roundtable titled “The Rohingya Crisis: Emerging Challenges and Reframing Response Strategies”, he urged the United Nations and the international community to keep the crisis on the global agenda and prevent it from being overshadowed by other global conflicts or crises, reports UNB.

“Through joint efforts and effective diplomacy by the international community, we must ensure the rapid and dignified repatriation of Rohingya refugees to their homeland in Myanmar,” he said.

The Institute for Global Cooperation Foundation organised the discussion at the auditorium of the Bangladesh Institute of International and Strategic Studies.

Salahuddin said a permanent and sustainable solution requires the direct support of leading global powers and the UN.

He also urged international human rights organisations, the UN High Commissioner for Refugees and other relevant stakeholders to play a more effective role in resolving the crisis.

“We have one main goal -- to ensure that the nearly 1.5 million Forcibly Displaced Myanmar Nationals currently sheltering here can return to their country with full dignity and security.

“For this, continued international support and the political role of leading countries are extremely important,” he said.

Highlighting the long-term impact of the crisis, Salahuddin said Bangladesh has provided shelter, food, land, healthcare and basic livelihood security to more than 1.5 million displaced Rohingyas on humanitarian grounds for over nine years.

“But over time, criminal activities, arms and drug smuggling, human trafficking, gender-based violence and activities of armed groups have increased in the camps, creating serious challenges to Bangladesh’s internal security,” he said.

He added that adequate security measures and a well-regulated movement system have become essential to curb crime and ensure the security of both Rohingyas and local residents.

“The present government, under the capable and far-sighted leadership of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, is determined to ensure 100 percent successful repatriation,” he said.

A “National Strategy Formulation Committee on Rohingya Affairs” has already been formed under Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s leadership, the minister said. Another high-level national committee, headed by Salahuddin, is working on law and order, border management and overall coordination.

“The government is working with a comprehensive whole-of-government approach involving the civil administration, security and defence agencies.”

Salahuddin warned that providing humanitarian assistance indefinitely without a specific and credible repatriation plan could reduce pressure for a political solution in the long run.

“Therefore, going beyond emergency relief assistance, we need to move quickly towards a ‘transitional strategy’, whose main objective will be to create a safe and suitable environment in Myanmar’s Rakhine State for the Rohingyas to return.”

Speaking as special guest, State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam called for expediting Rohingya verification under existing bilateral arrangements with Myanmar, saying the process cannot become an open-ended administrative exercise that delays repatriation, reports BSS.

“Verification cannot become an open-ended administrative exercise. We need to expedite verification based on the existing bilateral arrangements,” she said.

Shama said Bangladesh has prioritised expediting verification in its bilateral engagement with Myanmar to facilitate repatriation.

She stressed the need to address practical realities involving Rohingyas born in the camps and those who have arrived from Rakhine State since 2017.

She said Bangladesh’s diplomatic efforts aim to keep international attention focused on the protracted crisis, strengthen humanitarian support, promote accountability and, above all, create conditions conducive to the Rohingyas’ return.

Shama warned that Bangladesh is finding it increasingly difficult to sustain its humanitarian responsibilities amid declining international funding.

Prime Minister’s Adviser on Public Administration Md Ismail Zabihullah spoke as guest of honour.