Humayan Kabir, Former Ambassador and International Relations Analyst : Myanmar has been circling around the Rohingya problem, but hasn’t been able yet to reach a concrete decision to solve it. I think Myanmar should come to a positive solution quickly for the sake of regional security as well as bilateral relations and internal security of Bangladesh and Myanmar.
Recently, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina shed some light on the matter of repatriation, saying that Myanmar has signed agreements but failed to execute those. My idea is that the country is experiencing some internal political complications regarding adopting repatriation measures. If the refugees are to be taken back, their proper civil rights, security, dignity and lasting growth have to be ensured first. But, Myanmar has been ignoring these, so how can they take back the Rohingyas? Their political indifference is illogical and cowardly.
From our part, we have to maintain diplomatic efforts, so that China-Russia-India and the like will keep mounting pressure on Myanmar. Dialogue should be continued with the International Criminal Court (ICC) in order to verify whether it’s possible to bring Myanmar who has violated human rights under trial. If this becomes possible, further pressure will mount on Myanmar. Maybe then its tune will change.
Bangladesh is doing everything it can to solve the refugee crisis. We have to keep up this course of action. We have to bolster it further.
Based on an interview by Ashiq Rahman, translated by Abrar Hussain