Foreign Affairs Adviser Md Touhid Hossain on Sunday called upon the international community to come forward and resolve the Rohingya issue, otherwise, he warned it will be a problem for the entire region, not just for Bangladesh.
He laid emphasis on exploring ways to reestablish the rights of the Rohingyas so that they can return home with rights and security that they deserve.
The foreign adviser was speaking as the chief guest at a seminar titled "Repatriation of Rohingya in Bangladesh: Strategic Implications on Regional Security and Ways Ahead," jointly organised by the Bangladesh University of Professionals (BUP) and the Armed Forces Division.
National Security Adviser and High Representative to the Chief Adviser Khalilur Rahman spoke as the chief guest while Principal Staff Officer of the AFD Lieutenant General SM Kamrul Hassan spoke as special guest.
Adviser Hossain said they cannot force the Rohingyas out as they need to return home voluntarily. Highlighting the current situation in Rakhine, he said the Rohingyas will not return to their homeland without security and rights.
A reasonable security must be ensured for them, he said, noting that a complete civil war is going on in Myanmar.
Talking about different authorities of different natures within Myanmar, Hossain said, "We cannot stop bilateral negotiations but let us not be very hopeful of bilateral negotiations leading it to repatriation."
On August 25, 2017, hundreds of thousands of refugees started crossing the border to Bangladesh on foot and by boats amid indiscriminate killings and other violence in Myanmar's Rakhine state.
Since 2017, Bangladesh has attempted at least twice to send the refugees back and has urged the international community to build pressure on Myanmar for a peaceful environment inside Myanmar that could help start the repatriation.
The adviser said they have not yet found a viable solution to this crisis, despite it burdening the country for a very long time. "This has been a very long-drawn problem."
Bangladesh is currently hosting over 1.3 million Rohingyas in Cox's bazar and Bhasan Char Island but not a single Rohingya could be repatriated since their arrival eight years ago.
Hossain stressed that any repatriation must be voluntary and depending on assurances of safety and rtights.
"They will not return to a place where their lives are at risk and their rights denied. At least in the camps here, there is a measure of safety," he added.
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Hossain outlined Myanmar's fractured power structure, identifying the military junta, the Arakan Army, and the National Unity Government (NUG) as key stakeholders. The Arakan Army now controls large parts of Rakhine State.
Warning of the consequences of prolonged displacement, especially among camp-dwelling youth, he said, "It is unrealistic to expect one million people—half of them youngsters—to remain peaceful indefinitely."
He called on the international community to maintain focus on the Rohingya crisis amid other global conflicts, praising the recent visit and remarks by the UN secretary-general as a welcome development but urging more sustained engagement.
"I call on all of you to remain committed and work towards a durable, just solution," he added.
Talking about the "humanitarian corridor" in Rakhine, Khalilur Rahman said they have not discussed any humanitarian corridor and no decision has been made on this or no consensus has been reached with any party on this.
Chief Adviser's Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam on Friday said a final decision regarding the 'humanitarian corridor' to Rakhine State of Myanmar through Cox's Bazar will be taken in consultation with all stakeholders, including political parties, if there is any United Nations-led effort.
"We think this (humanitarian corridor) is still quite far off….it needs to be an UN-led effort," he said while responding to a question from the media during his visit to Chattogram.
Foreign affairs analysis Prof Shahab Enam Khan said the protracted Rohingya crisis has become a major national security concern for Bangladesh, with ramifications far beyond humanitarian aid.
Speaking as the keynote speaker at the seminar he highlighted the situation in the Rohingya camps has become increasingly complex due to the involvement of transnational criminal networks and the continued absence of repatriation.
"The Rohingya issue is no longer confined to humanitarian assistance—it is now deeply entwined with our national security architecture," Prof Shahab said.
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