Fear and apprehension: Rohingyas abandon hope of returning motherland

The threat of civil war in Myanmar has spilled over to the border areas of Bangladesh. Since the beginning of February, clashes between the Arakan Army and the Myanmar military have been recurrent along the border.

Amidst the ongoing violence, 330 Myanmar nationals, who had been risking their lives, sought refuge in Bangladesh. They were returned to Myanmar by the government of the country via sea route on February 15.

Although the 330 Myanmar forces were sent back to their country, hundreds of thousands of Rohingyas who sought refuge in Bangladesh to escape ethnic persecution in 1992 and 2017 have given up hope of returning to their country.

In 1992, one-year-old Abdul Salam came to Bangladesh from Myanmar with his parents to save their lives. As they counted the days to return to their own country, Salam's parents died in the Ukhiya Rohingya refugee camp in Bangladesh. Now, like his parents, Salam also dreams of returning to his homeland. However, the thread of his dream seems to have been cut anew with the onset of the war in Myanmar.

He said that despite Bangladesh's efforts over the years to repatriate Rohingya refugees to their own country, Myanmar has been unwilling to take them back. However, he could tell that since last year, Bangladesh had begun the process of repatriating Rohingya refugees, including himself, as well as others, believing that circumstances had changed. Nevertheless, given the recent situation, he thinks Myanmar may not take them back this time.

The impact of the conflict between Myanmar's military and insurgents has also reached the Rohingya camps in Bangladesh. Salim Khan, from the Ukhiya Rohingya refugee camp, said that no government in Myanmar has recognized Rohingyas as citizens, and there has been no discussion of Rohingyas even amidst the ongoing conflict. Therefore, even if the insurgents come into power, he believes they will not repatriate Rohingyas to Myanmar.

He said learning from relatives in Mundu two days ago that all markets and shops there are closed, and essential items like rice, potatoes, salt, and oil are scarce. Neither the government nor any other organization has extended assistance or ensured their safety. He sees no reason for Myanmar to take responsibility for Rohingyas in Bangladesh.

In the current conflict situation, Rohingya refugees in the camps do not seem to show any enthusiasm or excitement. Each camp in-charge and organizations working in the camps have been instructed to keep an eye on this and have been given directives by the Commissioner for Refugee Relief and Repatriation, Mizanur Rahman. He also mentioned that the ongoing instability in Myanmar has stalled Rohingya repatriation.

Political unrest has been prevailing in the country since the military coup in Myanmar in 2021. The general populace, as well as those persecuted by the government and ethnic minorities, is in conflict with the government-aligned insurgent groups. The ongoing conflict over the past three years has taken on a dangerous form, instilling fear in the region.

As a result, from October 2023 to January 30, 2024, more than 554 people have lost their lives. A statement by the United Nations Human Rights Commission also provided this information. According to the statement released on January 26, 23 Rohingyas were claimed to have been killed. Additionally, they claimed that countless civilians have been displaced in Myanmar.

In context, nearly 10 lakh Rohingyas fled to Bangladesh in August 2017 to save their lives. The number, which has increased to over 12 lakh in the past seven years, has increased significantly.