Friends of Bangladesh need to work towards a speedy
resolution to this catastrophe
The absence of political will on the part of Myanmar and
Suu Kyi’s refusal to recognize reality is delaying the Rohingya repatriation
process.
This was evident from her recent lecture in Singapore. A
tortoise probably moves faster than the speed with which Myanmar is handling
the question of resolving the Rohingya issue with Bangladesh. Unnecessary
nuances and arguments are impeding the process of repatriation.
Forcibly displaced and driven out of their country
through arson, rape, and murder a year ago, these illegal migrants continue to
suffer in camps, cradling painful reminders of the horror they fled in Myanmar.
A report recently published by the Ontario International
Development Agency from Canada has highlighted some gruesome facts about what
happened to the Rohingya Muslims in Rakhine state from around July 2017 and
largely contributed to their massive exodus to Bangladesh. A consortium of
researchers and organizations from Australia, Bangladesh, Canada, Norway, and
the Philippines conducted the study titled “Forced Migration of Rohingya: The
Untold Experience.”
This effort has revealed that over 24,000 Rohingya were
murdered and nearly 18,000 Rohingya women and girls were raped during Myanmar’s
crackdown in Rakhine state since August last year.
The report also mentions that 41,192 Rohingyas suffered
bullet wounds, 34,436 were thrown into fire, and 114,872 were badly beaten up
by the Myanmar armed forces and law enforcement authorities.
The research findings also included the fact that the estimated
number of houses burned were 115,026 and that 113,282 houses were vandalized.
The report has also revealed that most of the Rohingyas now in Bangladesh
wanted to return to their homes in Myanmar as soon as possible. They have,
however, insisted that Myanmar citizenship be granted to them.
This is apparently required so that they can move about
freely on their return and also avail educational facilities and health care
for their family members. They also want perpetrators of crimes against them to
be prosecuted and punished.
Bangladesh, since the last quarter of 2017, has taken on
the difficult task of trying to resolve this unfortunate situation through
bilateral discussions with Myanmar. There has been a lot of discussion but
nothing has yet been agreed to finally by Myanmar. Discussion about the
repatriation process started in November last year and it was mentioned at that
time that this would start from January 23,.
Bangladesh immediately responded to this dynamic by
forwarding to Myanmar a list of over 8,000 Rohingyas who wanted to go back to
Myanmar. It was also indicated by these persons that they wanted to go back to
their residences and not to fenced-in camps being built by the Myanmar
authorities. They pointed out that they wanted freedom of movement.
Unfortunately, the process never really took off.
The latest effort within this process was undertaken in
the second week of August this year through the visit to Myanmar by the
Bangladesh Foreign Minister Mahmood Ali. He and other senior officials from
different Ministries in Bangladesh were taken to villages around Maungdaw
township where Myanmar is supposed to be making preparations to rehabilitate
these refugees once they return to Myanmar.
It was however clear to the Bangladesh delegation that
the preparation that had been undertaken was not only totally insignificant,
but also that there had been little tangible progress.
Bangladesh at this time requested Myanmar to take steps
to address unwillingness of prospective returnees to accept the National
Verification Card (NVC). Myanmar is supposed to have agreed to send teams to
the camps in the Cox’s Bazar to explain the advantages of holding NVC and to
disseminate information on various steps taken by Myanmar in connection with
the expected repatriation.
However, difficulty emerged subsequently with Myanmar
requesting Dhaka not to use the term “Forcibly Displaced Myanmar Nationals” on
the registration cards being issued by Bangladesh to Rohingya refugees in Cox’s
Bazar. Instead, they asked Bangladesh to use the term “Displaced persons from
the Rakhine State.” Dhaka, after due consideration, quite correctly, disagreed
to accede to this proposal.
The United Nations Security Council, on 28 August, 2018
arranged an “open briefing session” on the situation in Myanmar. UN officials
attempted to point out the efforts that are being undertaken and the
difficulties that the UN is facing in the meaningful implementation of the MOU
concluded by UNDP and the UNHCR with the government of Myanmar. Within this
matrix, the UNHCR has also drawn attention of member states needing to address
the funding gap for the Joint Response Plan associated with the Rohingya
Humanitarian Crisis. The UN Secretary General’s Special Envoy Ambassador
Christine Schraner Burgener will remain engaged in furthering this process.
As expected the United Nations General Assembly will
start their 73rd session in New York from the third week of September. The
General Assembly is likely to discuss the Rohingya issue in the Third
Committee, and subsequently, like in 2017, adopt a resolution in December
towards the conclusion of the session.
The Human Rights Council is also likely to consider
adopting a Resolution on the human rights situation in Myanmar during its next
session. The fact-finding mission established by HRC is also expected to submit
a report which should help chart out further action on the question of
accountability for the atrocious crimes committed against the Rohingyas.
It is true that the US has imposed sanctions on four
Myanmar military and police commanders and two army units, but what is required
now is a wider and deeper effort pertaining to imposition of sanctions on all
financial transactions with Myanmar.
The world also needs to respond more quickly, now that
former UN Secretary General Kofi Annan has passed away. His departure from the
scene is likely to diminish the moral pressure created by his report and its
recommendations on the Rohingyas.
All friends of Bangladesh need to understand that a
speedy resolution of this catastrophe is required to avert instability and
possible communal violence.
China also needs to remember that if the One Belt One
Road connectivity effort is to succeed, the Rohingya crisis has to be resolved
-- sooner the better. Otherwise, it is bound to affect peace and constructive
engagement in the region.
Source: Dhaka Tribune