Rohingya verification process being accelerated: Shama Obaid

Rohingya verification process being accelerated: Shama Obaid

State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaid has said that Bangladesh has prioritised accelerating the verification process to move towards Rohingya repatriation. However, the verification process cannot be an endless administrative exercise.

She made these remarks at a roundtable discussion on the challenges and solutions regarding the Rohingya crisis, organised by the Institute for Global Cooperation Foundation at the BIISS auditorium in the capital on Sunday, September 6.

The state minister said Bangladesh's objectives regarding the Rohingya issue are to maintain international attention, strengthen humanitarian assistance, ensure accountability, and above all, create a conducive environment for repatriation. In bilateral discussions with Myanmar, Bangladesh has prioritised accelerating the verification process to move towards actual repatriation. The verification process cannot be an endless administrative task, she said.

She said the verification process must be accelerated based on the existing bilateral agreement, while also considering the reality of those who have arrived from Rakhine State since 2017 and those born in the camps.

Shama Obaid said Bangladesh must also be realistic about the humanitarian aspect of the Rohingya issue. The country will continue to fulfil its humanitarian responsibilities, but international funding cuts are making it increasingly difficult to sustain this assistance. Bangladesh is calling on donors and partners to increase their efforts to save the lives of these displaced people. A strategic challenge is to maintain the humanitarian character of the assistance while ensuring that camp support does not inadvertently cause further displacement or complicate potential repatriation scenarios.

She further said any sustainable repatriation depends on stability in Rakhine State. An appropriate environment, security, and respect for identity and rights are needed there. Rohingya need legal recognition, freedom of movement, livelihood opportunities, education and healthcare. There must be assurance that return will not lead to renewed displacement. Dialogue is needed for this, and stronger international engagement is required.

The state minister informed that another important conference on the Rohingya issue will be held during the UN General Assembly, in which the Prime Minister will participate. She expressed firm belief that through strong diplomacy, robust national coordination and continued international support, the aspiration for repatriation can once again be translated into reality.