Rohingya Repatriation Dependent On Safe Condition

Bangladesh’s interim government has reiterated that any future repatriation of Rohingya refugees to Myanmar must be predicated on the establishment of a safe, dignified, and rights-respecting environment in Arakan State, where the Rohingya have historically suffered systemic discrimination and violence.

Speaking at a press briefing at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Dhaka on Tuesday, Foreign Affairs Adviser Md Touhid Hossain stressed the importance of ensuring internationally accepted conditions before any return can proceed.

“Efforts are underway to ensure that the Rohingyas can return with guaranteed rights and security,” Hossain said. “But the current situation in Rakhine does not support repatriation.”

He called on international and regional stakeholders to intensify efforts to improve conditions on the ground in Myanmar, including human rights protections and political stability, to facilitate the voluntary and sustainable return of Rohingya refugees.

Verification and Return: Progress and Challenges
Addressing the verification process, Hossain noted that of the 250,000 individuals recently proposed for repatriation, approximately 180,000 Rohingyas have confirmed their identities and presence. “This confirmation came directly from the individuals concerned,” he stated.

He acknowledged past shortcomings in the repatriation process, referring to a stalled list of 800,000 names, of which only 40,000 had been verified. However, renewed efforts are underway, with 70,000 names from a new list currently under review. The adviser emphasized that Dhaka has requested an expedited process to verify the remaining 700,000 to 800,000 names.

However, he made it clear that verification alone is not sufficient. “The conditions in Rakhine must first be made conducive to ensure their safe, voluntary, and dignified return,” he said.

Rohingya Crisis at a Crossroads
Bangladesh currently hosts over one million Rohingya refugees—most of whom fled genocidal military operations in Myanmar in 2017. The majority reside in overcrowded, aid-dependent camps in Cox’s Bazar and on Bhasan Char island, facing deteriorating humanitarian conditions amid global funding cuts.

Rising insecurity, lack of access to education and livelihoods, and deepening poverty have left many Rohingyas with no viable options. Some have resorted to undertaking dangerous sea journeys in hopes of a better future, risking exploitation, detention, or death.

The government of Bangladesh continues to assert that the only durable solution lies in the voluntary, safe, and dignified repatriation of the Rohingya to Myanmar with guaranteed citizenship, human rights, and justice for past atrocities. This position is strongly supported by the United Nations and international human rights organizations.

Until these conditions are met, the Rohingya remain caught in limbo—stateless, confined, and waiting for a future where they can live freely and with dignity in their homeland.

Rohingya Vision News