Professor Dr Muhammad Yunus, Bangladesh’s interim government chief, on Wednesday called for the urgent repatriation of Rohingya refugees and expressed grave concerns regarding the deteriorating security conditions in the border areas, including "sporadic fighting and criminal activities". 

During a high-level discussion on the sidelines of the 79th United Nations General Assembly in New York, Yunus said that while the law enforcement agencies in Bangladesh have kept peace in refugee camps, the "crisis in Rakhine State merits careful revisit." "We are deeply concerned about the worsening security situation along the border, including sporadic fighting and criminal activities," Yunus said.

"Though our law enforcement, along with the international community, has managed to maintain peace in the camps, the crisis in Myanmar’s Rakhine State must be re-examined." 

At the meeting, Yunus talked about the immense challenges Bangladesh face in hosting over 1.2 million displaced Rohingyas from Myanmar. He noted that while Bangladesh has maintained peace and security in the camps, the rising instability and sporadic violence in the bordering region demand serious attention.

"Despite hosting the Rohingyas with great empathy, a densely populated Bangladesh has been incurring so much in terms of social-economic-environmental costs," he said. 

"Clearly, Bangladesh has reached its limits. Therefore, as much as Bangladesh engages in humanitarian aspects or ensuring justice, repatriation of the Rohingyas remains the only sustainable solution to the protracted crisis." 

The chief advisor also pointed to the lack of progress on international resolutions that call for conditions conducive to the safe return of the Rohingyas. He expressed frustration that, seven years after the crisis began, not a single Rohingya had been able to return to Myanmar. 

"Numerous UN resolutions have called for the safe and dignified return of the Rohingyas, yet none have been able to return. This prolonged uncertainty affects both the displaced Rohingyas and their host communities, while international support continues to diminish." Yunus urged global and regional powers, including the United Nations, ASEAN, and other key players, to address the root causes of the Rohingya crisis. 

He stressed the importance of fostering an inclusive society in Myanmar, where all ethnic communities can coexist peacefully. "Creating a society in Myanmar where all ethnic groups can live in harmony is crucial," he said. "We call on international and regional actors to work together, with the UN Special Envoy playing a central role in coordinating these efforts.

Source: The Times of India

BDST: 1117 HRS, SEP 25, 2024
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