Int’l pressure must be stepped up to resolve Rohingya crisis

It had long been feared that the influx of Rohingya refugees from Myanmar would cause a major crisis for Bangladesh. That fear is becoming reality day by day. Despite several attempts, the Rohingyas could not be repatriated. Instead, new groups continue to enter. Along with them, narcotics are flowing into Bangladesh. At the same time, international allocations for the Rohingyas are shrinking. Thus, eight years after the Rohingya influx, the crisis has grown even more complicated.

According to media reports, over the past eight years, 263 people have been killed inside the Rohingya camps. In this period, 9, 033 Rohingyas have been accused in 4, 054 criminal cases. Yet, identifying and arresting the accused among 1.4 million Rohingyas is difficult. In eight years, 3, 935 people were accused in 2,589 narcotics cases, but many remain beyond reach. Similarly, in 418 arms-related cases, 873 people were accused, yet many identified suspects have not been brought to justice. In the last year and a half, 34 Rohingyas were accused in 38 cases of rape and attempted rape. In 37 abduction cases, 89 were accused. In 17 human trafficking cases, 18 were accused.

Against this backdrop, the interim government is organising three international conferences on the Rohingya issue. The first began on Monday (25 August), in Cox’s Bazar, where interim Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus attended as the chief guest. The other two will be held on 30 September in New York, USA, and on 6 December in Qatar.

Speaking at the Rohingya Stakeholders’ Dialogue in Cox’s Bazar, Professor Muhammad Yunus placed a seven-point proposal for resolving the crisis and called on the international community to take a more active role. His proposals include: drafting a realistic roadmap for the rapid, safe, dignified and sustainable repatriation of the Rohingyas; continued donor support; urging Myanmar authorities and the Arakan Army to ensure the safety and livelihoods of the Rohingyas; constructive dialogue and restoration of rights for the Rohingyas; active involvement of ASEAN and the international community; a firm stance against genocide; and expediting accountability through international courts.

Under the Joint Response Plan (JRP), Rohingya refugees in camps receive food and other assistance. Multiple countries contribute to the JRP, with the United States being the largest donor. However, support was reduced after Donald Trump took office as US President. For 2025, $934 million was sought under the JRP. By July, only 35 per cent had been secured in seven months. Refugees say the aid is insufficient. During monsoon they live under the risk of landslides, in winter they fear deadly fires, and throughout the year they face security threats. They want to return home quickly.

The Rohingyas want to go back. Bangladesh wants to send them back. But given Myanmar’s ongoing political turmoil, repatriation is impossible at present. What, then, is the way forward? Without international intervention, it is almost impossible. For the Rohingyas to return, Myanmar authorities and the Arakan Army must cooperate and guarantee their security. Emphasising the indispensable role of the international community, Muhammad Yunus said ASEAN and neighbouring countries must take more active steps to ensure peace and stability in Rakhine and nearby regions. At the same time, cross-border crimes such as human trafficking, drug smuggling and the illicit arms trade must be curbed.

Bangladesh itself is also experiencing political uncertainty, with elections ahead. The interim government will remain in power only for a few months. It is unclear what government will follow and what shape the country’s political situation will take. If the interim government fails to secure a permanent solution or guarantees of repatriation by pressuring the international community, the Rohingya crisis is likely to persist much longer in Bangladesh. This means the Rohingya crisis will remain not only complicated, but also a very serious problem for the country. That is why international pressure must be intensified now to resolve it.