Rakhine state
Rohingya crisis: The maze of repatriation
The Rohingya crisis currently stands as the greatest threat to Bangladesh’s national security and sovereignty. Recently, it has been further complicated by debates over transit corridors and incidents of push-in operations where India has forcibly sent some registered Rohingyas into Bangladesh. In March, UN Secretary-General António Guterres and Bangladesh’s interim government’s Chief Adviser Dr Muhammad Yunus visited Rohingya camps in Cox’s Bazar and gave hopeful messages about repatriating the Rohingyas to their homeland in Rakhine. There were reports that as many as 180,000 Rohingyas might be repatriated to Myanmar. However, those hopes quickly proved unrealistic. Moreover, since the interim government took charge nine months ago, at least 100,000 new Rohingyas have entered Bangladesh. As a result, Bangladesh's burden is increasing, and the issue of Rohingya repatriation is becoming entangled in a complex web of regional and international politics, with no immediate resolution in sight.
A corridor for Rakhine: What are the answers to various questions?
After the residents of Gaza, the Rohingya people of Rakhine are currently facing the most severe humanitarian crisis in the world. In the war-torn country, a famine could strike at any moment. Fearing such a catastrophe, the United Nations has requested Bangladesh to open a corridor for humanitarian aid.
How significant is the UN secretary-general’s visit?
The visit of the UN Secretary-General to Bangladesh commenced on March 14 with a meeting with the head of the interim government, Dr. Muhammad Yunus. During the meeting, the Chief Adviser briefed the UN Secretary-General on Bangladesh’s political situation, various reform initiatives undertaken by his government, the country’s economic status, the Rohingya issue, Bangladesh’s role in global peacekeeping, regional politics, and more. He also discussed the possible timing of the national elections, explaining that their timing—whether this year or the next—would depend on the implementation of ongoing reforms. The Chief Adviser reaffirmed his government’s commitment to ensuring free, fair, and participatory elections.
ISPR requests not to get misled by rumours over security of St. Martin’s
Inter Services Public Relation Directorate (ISPR) has urged all not to be misguided by rumours spreading through social media over the security of St. Martin’s island centering Myanmar's ongoing internal conflict near the island.
Bangladesh is UN's key partner, Guterres tells FM Hasan
United Nations (UN) Secretary General Antonio Guterres has termed Bangladesh as a key partner of UN for the country's "significant contributions" to various UN initiatives, including peacekeeping, achieving sustainable development goals and climate adaptation.