Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus has said the global community can no longer delay repatriation of Rohingya refugees to Myanmar.
“Everyone must commit to working together to resolve the crisis. Bangladesh is ready to provide full cooperation in this process,” he said.
Yunus made the remarks while addressing a high-level international conference at the United Nations headquarters in New York on Tuesday.
In his opening speech, the chief adviser focused on the ongoing plight of the Rohingya Muslims and other minorities in Myanmar. Despite eight years since the onset of the Rohingya massacre, their suffering continues, he pointed out.
He noted a clear lack of effective efforts to resolve the crisis, with international aid also severely lacking.
The crisis began in Myanmar, and its solution must also be found there, Yunus said, calling for international pressure on Myanmar and Arakan Army to halt the persecution of Rohingya people and expedite their repatriation.
“This is the only solution to the crisis. The process should not be held hostage under the guise of broader reforms in Myanmar,” he insisted.
Yunus further stated that as international assistance declines, the only peaceful solution is to begin repatriation of Rohingyas. This will require far fewer resources than maintaining international protection.
Rohingyas have always expressed their desire to return to their homeland, so immediate repatriation should be offered to those who recently fled to Bangladesh to escape the ongoing conflict in Myanmar, he stressed.
He emphasised that Bangladesh is bearing the brunt of this crisis, incurring immense financial, social, and environmental costs. Drug peddling and other criminal activities by Rohingyas is threatening the social structure of Bangladesh.
Given the challenges of unemployment and poverty in the country, Yunus also noted that it is not feasible for Bangladesh to provide employment for Rohingya people.
Proposing steps for the international community to ensure a sustainable resolution to the crisis, the chief adviser called for development of a realistic roadmap for the safe and dignified repatriation of the Rohingyas, restoration of stability in Rakhine, and the need to apply effective pressure on Myanmar and Arakan Army to stop the violence and initiate sustainable repatriation.
He also called for securing international support to stabilise Rakhine and ensuring the presence of international civilian support.
Yunus urged the international community to take steps to build trust for the sustainable integration of Rohingya people into Rakhine society and governance.
He highlighted the importance of ensuring full funding for joint response plans, accountability, restorative justice, dismantling the drug economy, and combating cross-border crimes.
