Editorial
A.K.M. Atiqur Rahman
30 August, 2019
Motherland is always like a heaven to each and every human being in the world. I had the opportunity to take part, as a Freedom Fighter, in our Liberation War in 1971 as well as to visit a number of countries during my diplomatic career. I understand the basic difference being in my motherland and in a foreign country. One may pass a financially well off life in a foreign country, but he cannot feel the same mental advantages there like in his motherland. Motherland is the mother of all mothers. It is really difficult to find a person who does not love his or her mother. A child is nothing but a mother’s flesh and blood. It is the natural binding that starts from the day a child grows in the womb of a mother. This is the truth; it does not matter whether a mother is financially poor or rich.
I believe the Rohingyas have still the same feelings and sentiments for their motherland Myanmar, though they had to leave their country two years back due to persecution and violence of the Myanmar military in connivance with local Buddhists fundamentalists. Since then, they are in Bangladesh. They should understand that it would be the best solution if they go to their own land at the earliest for their future generation as well as to establish their rights. On 9 November 2018, just before a week of the commencement of the repatriation, I wrote on this column, “Though we have very weak arguments to trust Myanmar that it will sincerely cooperate in repatriating the Rohingyas; but we can, at least, hope that the Rohingyas, who are going back to their ancestors’ lands, would find a secured life there in all respects. May this opening of door inspire and encourage the remaining Rohingyas to return to their places of origin and live there safely with proper respect and dignity.” We know, Bangladesh took all preparation for the repatriation. But that could not happen.
The much expected Rohingya repatriation has added another story last week. In fact, it was the second show of Myanmar’s repatriation drama on 22 August 2019, after they successfully staged the first one in November 2018. By doing so, they are trying to make Bangladesh a villain. All such deeds are nothing but to show their sincerity and openness to the world community placing Bangladesh in a false position. But, we know the actual scenario is totally the reverse. Myanmar knows well what to do, when and how. I am a bit confused whether our people handling the issue understand the ill motives of the Myanmar government, or not. I am also in a dilemma about the role the world community, including the United Nations, in this repatriation game of Myanmar. I do not see the clean blue sky, rather a fully clouded sky with no hope for any ray of light.
Meanwhile on 25 August, Bangladesh, in its protest against Myanmar’s claim that the failure of the second attempt to repatriate Rohingyas to their homes was due to Dhaka’s fault, has asked Myanmar to fulfil its obligations and commitments for the earliest peaceful solution of the crisis. Not only our Ministry of Foreign Affairs, but we also know that the claim was “baseless, ill-motivated and totally unacceptable.” Our Ministry has rightly said, “It is Myanmar’s responsibility to create a favourable environment in Rakhine through decisive actions and to reduce trust-deficit of Rohingyas through appropriate measures including dissemination of authentic information as per the ground reality.” Bangladesh has also asked Myanmar to seriously consider a comprehensive engagement of the international community in this process as well as in the monitoring of repatriation and reintegration process in Myanmar. As per the MoU on repatriation, the responsibility of encouraging the displaced people to opt for voluntary return lies entirely on Myanmar.
On the contrary, all of a sudden, the Rohingyas organised a mass rally last week in their camp area renewing their 5-point demands including citizenship and restoration of their homes. According to newspaper reports, about 500,000 Rohingyas took part in that rally. Nobody knows who authorised them to organise the rally. If they have done it on their own, then it is a grave concern for us. They might organise such gathering in future also. Was it a showdown of their strength that they can stay in Bangladesh as long as they wish? Or, are there people behind who want to destabilise the law and order situation of that area? Or, is something more destructive waiting for us? However, security has been tightened and intelligence has been strengthened in all Rohingya camps. But, at the same time, we should find out all those who are the masterminds of such idea.
We know several NGOs are working there under different umbrellas and ideologies, showing the same purpose to help the Rohingyas. There is nothing wrong to help them; they can do that. But, it is felt that the entire administration and management should be done in a coordinated way under the government in collaboration with the UN agencies concerned. There must have some discipline for smooth running of the entire affairs including our internal security. If any person or organisation, including NGOs, likes to contribute or donate, can handover those to the government authority in charge of those camps. No visitors should be allowed to enter in the camps area without permission from the concerned authority.
Rohingyas are also found engaged in criminal and anti-social activities, like murder, robbery, drug trading, extortion, smuggling, prostitution, etc. Day by day, they are becoming so violent and unrestrained that local people are feeling unsecured. If the Rohingyas stay there for longer time, it might happen that one day the local people will find themselves as refugees in their own land. I do not want to raise here the issues of ecological or environmental damages that have already been done in that area. The existing overall situation requires a thorough examination and find out the measures for implementation including relocation in a safer area isolated from the locals. It’s true that the world community (except two/three countries) has continuously been keeping Myanmar under heavy pressure since inception of this crisis. Even, they are working now on the question of Rohingya genocide. Anyway, these are not reaching up to the eardrum of the Myanmar leadership. Therefore, no substantial change in Myanmar’s philosophy to solve this crisis has so far been observed. We are not sure whether there would be any positive development in the coming UN General Assembly commencing in September. On the other hand, will China and Russia support the decision to be taken by the UN Security Council on Rohingya issue in the coming days? However, I cannot come out of my doubt about Myanmar’s actual motive as regards accepting the Rohingyas sheltered in Bangladesh.
Finally, I would like place here a few points which our government may like to think about, in addition to their own strategies: (1) If Rohingya repatriation starts this year or next year at the rate Myanmar fixes, it might take 12/15 years to complete. That means, they have to stay here till that time. So, for security and environmental reasons, they should be shifted to other secured places, like Bhasanchar. (2) Administration and management should be under the control of Bangladesh government with necessary cooperation and assistances from UN organs. Camps should be restricted for visitors. However, visitors, including NGO officials, might be allowed with proper authorisation from the competent authority. (3) More tougher action could be taken by the UN against Myanmar and we should put our utmost thrust for that diplomatically. (4) The UN should engage their people in Myanmar to assist Myanmar in creating a favourable environment in Rakhine state. Even NGOs can go there to help the Myanmar government in this regard. In fact, the engagement of the international community in this process can only facilitate the monitoring of repatriation environment in Rakhine, confidence building among the Rohingyas for repatriation and reintegration process in Myanmar. Once the team working there gives green signal, then the repatriation should start. (5) No Rohingya should be allowed to go outside of their camps, except one is required by the authority. (6) Security situation should be strictly monitored and maintained. All activities should be put under necessary surveillance. (7) Rohingyas should be informed not to involve themselves in any political activities or gatherings. (8) Canada and the Philippines have already expressed their desire to take some of the Rohingyas, other countries like Malaysia and Turkey may also like to take. The issue of their rehabilitation in any third country might be examined deeply. (9) Very recently, China has proposed for a tripartite meeting (Bangladesh, Myanmar & China) on this issue at the ministerial level. It is of course an appreciating approach. But, at the same time, we should note that it will not misguide us while playing our role at the ensuing UNGA.
The writer is a former Ambassador and Secretary
I believe the Rohingyas have still the same feelings and sentiments for their motherland Myanmar, though they had to leave their country two years back due to persecution and violence of the Myanmar military in connivance with local Buddhists fundamentalists. Since then, they are in Bangladesh. They should understand that it would be the best solution if they go to their own land at the earliest for their future generation as well as to establish their rights. On 9 November 2018, just before a week of the commencement of the repatriation, I wrote on this column, “Though we have very weak arguments to trust Myanmar that it will sincerely cooperate in repatriating the Rohingyas; but we can, at least, hope that the Rohingyas, who are going back to their ancestors’ lands, would find a secured life there in all respects. May this opening of door inspire and encourage the remaining Rohingyas to return to their places of origin and live there safely with proper respect and dignity.” We know, Bangladesh took all preparation for the repatriation. But that could not happen.
The much expected Rohingya repatriation has added another story last week. In fact, it was the second show of Myanmar’s repatriation drama on 22 August 2019, after they successfully staged the first one in November 2018. By doing so, they are trying to make Bangladesh a villain. All such deeds are nothing but to show their sincerity and openness to the world community placing Bangladesh in a false position. But, we know the actual scenario is totally the reverse. Myanmar knows well what to do, when and how. I am a bit confused whether our people handling the issue understand the ill motives of the Myanmar government, or not. I am also in a dilemma about the role the world community, including the United Nations, in this repatriation game of Myanmar. I do not see the clean blue sky, rather a fully clouded sky with no hope for any ray of light.
Meanwhile on 25 August, Bangladesh, in its protest against Myanmar’s claim that the failure of the second attempt to repatriate Rohingyas to their homes was due to Dhaka’s fault, has asked Myanmar to fulfil its obligations and commitments for the earliest peaceful solution of the crisis. Not only our Ministry of Foreign Affairs, but we also know that the claim was “baseless, ill-motivated and totally unacceptable.” Our Ministry has rightly said, “It is Myanmar’s responsibility to create a favourable environment in Rakhine through decisive actions and to reduce trust-deficit of Rohingyas through appropriate measures including dissemination of authentic information as per the ground reality.” Bangladesh has also asked Myanmar to seriously consider a comprehensive engagement of the international community in this process as well as in the monitoring of repatriation and reintegration process in Myanmar. As per the MoU on repatriation, the responsibility of encouraging the displaced people to opt for voluntary return lies entirely on Myanmar.
On the contrary, all of a sudden, the Rohingyas organised a mass rally last week in their camp area renewing their 5-point demands including citizenship and restoration of their homes. According to newspaper reports, about 500,000 Rohingyas took part in that rally. Nobody knows who authorised them to organise the rally. If they have done it on their own, then it is a grave concern for us. They might organise such gathering in future also. Was it a showdown of their strength that they can stay in Bangladesh as long as they wish? Or, are there people behind who want to destabilise the law and order situation of that area? Or, is something more destructive waiting for us? However, security has been tightened and intelligence has been strengthened in all Rohingya camps. But, at the same time, we should find out all those who are the masterminds of such idea.
We know several NGOs are working there under different umbrellas and ideologies, showing the same purpose to help the Rohingyas. There is nothing wrong to help them; they can do that. But, it is felt that the entire administration and management should be done in a coordinated way under the government in collaboration with the UN agencies concerned. There must have some discipline for smooth running of the entire affairs including our internal security. If any person or organisation, including NGOs, likes to contribute or donate, can handover those to the government authority in charge of those camps. No visitors should be allowed to enter in the camps area without permission from the concerned authority.
Rohingyas are also found engaged in criminal and anti-social activities, like murder, robbery, drug trading, extortion, smuggling, prostitution, etc. Day by day, they are becoming so violent and unrestrained that local people are feeling unsecured. If the Rohingyas stay there for longer time, it might happen that one day the local people will find themselves as refugees in their own land. I do not want to raise here the issues of ecological or environmental damages that have already been done in that area. The existing overall situation requires a thorough examination and find out the measures for implementation including relocation in a safer area isolated from the locals. It’s true that the world community (except two/three countries) has continuously been keeping Myanmar under heavy pressure since inception of this crisis. Even, they are working now on the question of Rohingya genocide. Anyway, these are not reaching up to the eardrum of the Myanmar leadership. Therefore, no substantial change in Myanmar’s philosophy to solve this crisis has so far been observed. We are not sure whether there would be any positive development in the coming UN General Assembly commencing in September. On the other hand, will China and Russia support the decision to be taken by the UN Security Council on Rohingya issue in the coming days? However, I cannot come out of my doubt about Myanmar’s actual motive as regards accepting the Rohingyas sheltered in Bangladesh.
Finally, I would like place here a few points which our government may like to think about, in addition to their own strategies: (1) If Rohingya repatriation starts this year or next year at the rate Myanmar fixes, it might take 12/15 years to complete. That means, they have to stay here till that time. So, for security and environmental reasons, they should be shifted to other secured places, like Bhasanchar. (2) Administration and management should be under the control of Bangladesh government with necessary cooperation and assistances from UN organs. Camps should be restricted for visitors. However, visitors, including NGO officials, might be allowed with proper authorisation from the competent authority. (3) More tougher action could be taken by the UN against Myanmar and we should put our utmost thrust for that diplomatically. (4) The UN should engage their people in Myanmar to assist Myanmar in creating a favourable environment in Rakhine state. Even NGOs can go there to help the Myanmar government in this regard. In fact, the engagement of the international community in this process can only facilitate the monitoring of repatriation environment in Rakhine, confidence building among the Rohingyas for repatriation and reintegration process in Myanmar. Once the team working there gives green signal, then the repatriation should start. (5) No Rohingya should be allowed to go outside of their camps, except one is required by the authority. (6) Security situation should be strictly monitored and maintained. All activities should be put under necessary surveillance. (7) Rohingyas should be informed not to involve themselves in any political activities or gatherings. (8) Canada and the Philippines have already expressed their desire to take some of the Rohingyas, other countries like Malaysia and Turkey may also like to take. The issue of their rehabilitation in any third country might be examined deeply. (9) Very recently, China has proposed for a tripartite meeting (Bangladesh, Myanmar & China) on this issue at the ministerial level. It is of course an appreciating approach. But, at the same time, we should note that it will not misguide us while playing our role at the ensuing UNGA.
The writer is a former Ambassador and Secretary
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