Rohingya refugees reaffirm desire to return home

Rohingya refugees living in overcrowded camps in Cox’s Bazar’s Ukhiya and Teknaf have once again voiced their long-standing demand to return to their homeland in Myanmar, as the protracted repatriation crisis shows no visible progress.

Nearly 12 lakh Rohingya fled Myanmar’s Rakhine State in 2017 following a military crackdown and took shelter in Bangladesh. Nearly nine years on, they remain confined to refugee camps, with no concrete timeline for safe return.

Camp residents say they are willing to go back to Myanmar, but only if guaranteed safety, dignity and full citizenship rights. Many describe camp life as increasingly difficult, citing limited resources, restricted living conditions and a lack of long-term stability.

Humanitarian and local sources, including UN agencies, reported that more than 1.5 lakh additional Rohingya have entered Bangladesh in recent years, adding further pressure on already overstretched camps.

Security concerns have also grown in and around the camps. Local communities point to rising population density, strained resources and incidents of crime as key challenges affecting surrounding areas.

According to the Armed Police Battalion (APBn), most criminal incidents originate from internal disputes, while surveillance and law enforcement operations have been strengthened to maintain order.

The Office of the Refugee Relief and Repatriation Commissioner in Cox’s Bazar says there has been no tangible breakthrough in the repatriation process so far, although diplomatic engagements with Myanmar and international stakeholders remain ongoing.

For many Rohingya families, the aspiration remains unchanged: a safe, dignified and voluntary return to their homeland.

Rohingya youth Al Amin expressed frustration over prolonged displacement, saying no community chooses refugee life willingly and that they had been forced to flee due to persecution and violence in Myanmar.

He added that despite Bangladesh’s humanitarian support, life in the camps has become increasingly uncertain and difficult.

Authorities in Bangladesh reaffirm that efforts for repatriation continue at the diplomatic level, but acknowledge that the process remains stalled amid complex regional and political challenges.