Rohingya Sparks Cautious Hope for Repatriation

DHAKA, May 25, 2025 — In a rare and cautiously watched development, at least 82 Rohingyas have reportedly returned voluntarily to Myanmar’s Rakhine State last week, marking what appears to be the first known case of self-initiated repatriation since the mass exodus of 2017, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) confirmed.

According to the UN agency’s latest situation update covering May 12–18, many of the returnees had fled earlier waves of persecution and forced recruitment, but are now attempting to reclaim farmland and restart businesses in their places of origin.

The unexpected development has stirred cautious optimism in Bangladesh, which continues to host over 1.2 million forcibly displaced Myanmar nationals (FDMNs) and has long insisted that any repatriation must meet international standards of safety, voluntariness, and dignity.

The UNHCR further reported that an additional 30 to 40 individuals have expressed intent to return to the Maungdaw area in the coming days. These potential returnees are reportedly hoping for some form of documentation or assurances from the Arakan Army (AA), the ethnic armed group that now exercises de facto control over large parts of Rakhine.

So far, there is no evidence of coercion involved in the returns. However, the UNHCR warned that the situation remains murky: “It is unclear what assurances, if any, the AA has provided to the returnees.”

The report also highlighted that the Arakan Army is allegedly accepting bribes in exchange for allowing returns and is interrogating individuals about conditions in Bangladesh’s refugee camps and the activities of organized Rohingya groups.

Bangladesh has repeatedly called on the international community to increase diplomatic pressure on Myanmar to create genuine conditions for safe return—particularly legal recognition, security guarantees, and a pathway to full citizenship for the Rohingya people.

Despite this small wave of returns, the humanitarian conditions for the majority of Rohingya refugees remain dire. The UNHCR reiterated its call for international solidarity and sustained support for host countries across the region—including Bangladesh, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, and Myanmar.

To maintain life-saving assistance and critical services in 2025, the UNHCR has appealed for $383.1 million in funding. As of mid-May, only 30 percent of this target has been met.

Rohingya Vision News