Dhaka believes India, China can resolve Rohingya crisis
Bangladesh's Foreign Minister Dr. Hasan Mahmud emphasized that the repatriation of the Rohingya with civil rights and dignity is the ultimate solution to the crisis. He highlighted the importance of India and China's engagement as regional powers in facilitating this complex process.
'Repatriation is the only solution,' Mahmud stated during a seminar on the Rohingya crisis at the Jatiya Press Club.
Mahmud argued that efforts to improve living conditions in makeshift camps or relocate a small number of Rohingyas to third countries do little to solve the crisis and might even be counterproductive. He stressed the need for concentrated international and regional efforts to ensure their repatriation.
Foreign ministry officials noted that only a few hundred Rohingyas have been relocated to third countries, including Western nations. Mahmud warned that such symbolic relocations could undermine the Rohingyas' hope of returning to their homeland in Myanmar's Rakhine State.
Mahmud, speaking as the chief guest, mentioned that Myanmar authorities are willing to initiate the repatriation process to reduce the global pressure on their country.
Describing the historical context, Mahmud said the Rohingya crisis began after World War II and worsened following the partition of India in 1947. He recounted that after the 2017 military crackdown in Rakhine State, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina allowed around 700,000 forcibly displaced Rohingyas to enter Bangladesh.
'Currently, I believe around 1.3 million Rohingyas are staying in camps in Cox’s Bazar,' Mahmud stated.
The foreign minister noted that Bangladesh has chosen a diplomatic approach to pressure Myanmar into repatriating its nationals, while The Gambia has filed a case against Myanmar with the International Criminal Court (ICC).
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