Citizenship holds key to Rohingya solution

It has been reported in the media that no citizenship guarantee was given for the Rohingyas in a secret agreement signed between the United Nations agencies UNHCR, UNDP and the Myanmar government.

Myanmar army chief Min Aung Hlaing is the one who opposed the citizenship of Rohingyas since the very beginning of the crackdown. Amnesty International has already blamed him for being the chief planner and perpetrator of the crackdown that took place in Rakhine state. The UN Human Rights Council later recognised it as the textbook example of ethnic cleansing. Hlaing and his loyal forces incited the state military personnel in collusion with the extreme Buddhists and also branded the Rohingyas as 'Bangalees'. Myanmar state army's racist attitude is standing in the way of citizenship guarantee for the Rohingya people.

The Myanmar government has already sacked a Major General and the army commander in Rakhine state while another Lieutenant General has resigned from the job. The firing and resignation of these army officials prove that a degree of crimes against humanity were committed by them. Fruitful repatriation process will not be effective until citizenship guarantee is given by the Myanmar government. Amnesty International and other human rights bodies have strongly recommended the UN to work on ensuring security and citizenship of Rohingyas before their repatriation to Myanmar.

Md. Zillur Rahaman

Islami Bank Bangladesh Ltd.

Lalmohan Branch, Bhola.

[email protected]