Law minister urges involving international community for dignified Rohingya repatriation

Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Md Asaduzzaman has said the Rohingya crisis is not Bangladesh's problem alone, it is an international problem. He said the international community must be effectively involved to ensure the safe, voluntary, dignified and sustainable repatriation of the Rohingya displaced from Myanmar to their own country.

He made the remarks while speaking at a policy dialogue on the Rohingya crisis organised by the Centre for Policy Research at the CIRDAP auditorium on Topkhana Road in the capital on Sunday (8 November).

The law minister said the security, citizenship, human rights, education and dignity of the Rohingya must be ensured in any repatriation. Merely sending the Rohingya back to Myanmar is not a solution; their full rights and security as citizens there must also be ensured, he said.

He said resolving the Rohingya crisis is not only a matter of bilateral talks between Bangladesh and Myanmar. The crisis originated in Myanmar, and Myanmar must also take responsibility for its resolution. At the same time, the international community must be involved in resolving it.

The law minister said the Rohingya crisis was also seen as an important agenda item at the session of the United Nations General Assembly. He noted the concern and engagement of UNHCR and other relevant international organisations on the issue.

Referring to a meeting with UNHCR on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly session, the law minister said forcing the Rohingya back to Myanmar or imposing any decision on them cannot be a solution. Every Rohingya must be given the opportunity to return to their own country with safety and dignity.

He said their citizenship, human rights, right to education and all the rights due to them as citizens must be ensured there. Repatriation must be dignified and sustainable, and those rights must be secured by involving the international community.

Highlighting the challenges of hosting the Rohingya in Bangladesh, he said Bangladesh is among the leading refugee-hosting countries in the world today. The presence of nearly 1.2 million Rohingya in a country with limited economic capacity like Bangladesh is creating major pressure.

He said around 82 to 90 children are born every day in the Rohingya camps. If this situation continues, the demographic, economic and social pressure on Bangladesh will increase further.

The law minister added that alongside humanitarian considerations, the Rohingya crisis also involves Bangladesh's national security, law and order and social stability. The issue therefore needs to be considered in a coordinated way.

He said a national committee has been formed on the matter under the leadership of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman. Through this committee, a national policy to address the Rohingya crisis will be formulated and how effective initiatives can be taken at the international level will be reviewed.

On demands raised in the discussion about ensuring education and other facilities for the Rohingya, the law minister said the proposals to ensure their dignity and rights are reasonable. But Bangladesh's economic capacity, social reality and national security concerns must also be taken into account. Effective and realistic decisions will be taken after reviewing all these aspects, he said.

He said the present government wants to ensure an effective outcome to the crisis by following the experience and path of the initiatives taken by the governments of Begum Khaleda Zia and martyred President Ziaur Rahman in dealing with the Rohingya crisis in the past.

Welcoming the initiative of the Centre for Policy Research, the law minister said the Rohingya crisis is a complex policy and international issue. The government is keen to learn from experienced researchers and experts on the matter and move forward with their advice.

He said institutions like the Centre for Policy Research can work beside the government as watchdogs and guides. The government will consider any constructive recommendation from them with importance. If there are specific proposals or presentations in future, the government will try to take the necessary initiatives after considering them.

The programme was moderated by Dr Shakil Ahmed, executive director of the Centre for Policy Research, and the keynote paper was presented by Ambassador Mohammad Sufiur Rahman, adviser to the centre. Organisers, researchers, experts and invited guests of the centre were present at the event.