Concerns for Rohingya repatriation

RECENTLY, a repatriation deal for Rohingya refugees who took shelter in Bangladesh, was signed between governments of Bangladesh and Myanmar. It is already well known that the Rohingya community of the Rakhine state of Myanmar was subjected to brutal torture of the Myanmar army and their associates and had to take shelter in neighbouring Bangladesh. Their makeshift houses were set on fire presumably to stop them from returning to their homes when situation improves. Rohingyas are a luckless lot who were deprived of citizenship of Myanmar where they had been living for centuries and international community has recognised them as the oldest ethnic community in the world.

Neither an international agency nor a journalist was allowed to physically verify the state of human rights and repression of the Rohingyas in Myanmar. Moreover, some extremist Buddhist leaders created an anti-Rohingya sentiment in the country to make it extremely difficult for Rohingya refugees to return home. We feel the agreement between Bangladesh and Myanmar had not been executed considering the prevailing situation in the country and ongoing communal propaganda against the Rohingya Muslims had no effect on the agreement.

The International Community, especially United Nations and United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) who already denounced atrocities by the Myanmar authorities also expressed their deep concerns over the delaying tactics of Rohingyas repatriation. Rohingyas who sought refuge in Bangladesh also expressed their disappointment over the way the process of repatriation is being delayed. The government of Bangladesh needs to be agile in this respect so that the process of Rohingya repatriation is not further delayed. The government with the help of international community should go forward to resolve the Rohingya issue with strong determination and astute diplomacy.

Md. Zillur Rahaman

Lalmohan, Bhola

[email protected]