Sun Apr 6, 2025
Mixed reactions in Cox’s Bazar camps as Myanmar identifies 180,000 Rohingyas for return.
Following reports of Myanmar verifying 1,80,000 Rohingyas for potential repatriation, a wave of mixed feelings has washed over the camps in Cox's Bazar and Bhasan Char.
Although many Rohingyas express a strong desire to return to their homeland safely, they remain apprehensive of Myanmar's ability to guarantee security.
Although many Rohingyas express a strong desire to return to their homeland safely, they remain apprehensive of Myanmar's ability to guarantee security.
Myanmar authorities on Friday confirmed to Bangladesh that out of a list of 8,00,000 Rohingyas sheltered in Bangladesh, they have identified 1,80,000 Rohingyas eligible for return to Myanmar.
However, this statement comes at a time when the Myanmar junta government has lost control over much of the Rakhine State, from where Rohingyas were displaced.
The rebel group Arakan Army has taken control of over 80 percent of the Rakhine state. So far, the Arakan Army has seized 14 out of 17 townships in the Rakhine state and is continuing its offensive to capture the remaining areas.
However, this statement comes at a time when the Myanmar junta government has lost control over much of the Rakhine State, from where Rohingyas were displaced.
The rebel group Arakan Army has taken control of over 80 percent of the Rakhine state. So far, the Arakan Army has seized 14 out of 17 townships in the Rakhine state and is continuing its offensive to capture the remaining areas.
Our homes are now under the control of the Arakan Army. So how will they carry out repatriation? That's something we'll have to see.
— Mohammad Sadiq Rohingya journalist
Mohammad Zubair, chairman of the Arakan Rohingya Society for Peace and Human Rights, suspects Myanmar of using this repatriation move to mislead the international community and escape arrest warrants issued in Argentina against its top military officials.
An Argentine court in mid-February issued arrest warrants for the head of Myanmar's military junta and former officials, including Nobel Peace Prize winner Aung San Suu Kyi, over alleged genocide and crimes against humanity targeting the Rohingyas.
Zubair wondered where the Rohingyas would be placed if repatriated. "The Myanmar government must clarify this matter because most of Rakhine is currently under the control of the Arakan Army."
He stressed establishing a safe zone in Rakhine and ensuring a final agreement that guarantees their safety and citizenship as mandatory preconditions for their repatriation.
Rohingya journalist Mohammad Sadiq said he is uncertain whether Myanmar is capable of accepting the Rohingya at this moment.
"Our homes are now under the control of the Arakan Army. The junta has been forced to abandon these areas. So how will they carry out repatriation? That's something we'll have to see," he said.
Still, he thanked the Bangladesh government for pushing the repatriation process this far.
"We want to return to our homeland, but only if it is safe to do so."
After the announcement was posted, many Rohingya social media groups lit up with discussion. Although no one is sure when or how repatriation will begin, many expressed hopes at this development.
Mohammad Nur of Kutupalong Refugee Camp said he was delighted to learn that 180,000 Rohingyas have been identified as eligible for return to Myanmar and that more of their people are pending verification.
"I'm very happy to hear this, and I hope for a safe return of my people."
Bangladesh shelters 1.2 million Rohingyas, most of whom fled the military crackdown in Rakhine State in 2017. Not a single Rohingya could be repatriated to Myanmar despite several attempts over the last eight years.
Instead, about 100,000 Rohingyas have fled to Bangladesh since July last year as the conflicts between the Arakan Army and the military junta led to a further displacement of hundreds of thousands of people in the state.
Sources said the relationship between the Rohingya minority community and the Buddhist majority community in Rakhine State remains tense.
In addition to atrocities by the junta, they have frequently faced brutal attacks by local Rakhine groups as well.
An Argentine court in mid-February issued arrest warrants for the head of Myanmar's military junta and former officials, including Nobel Peace Prize winner Aung San Suu Kyi, over alleged genocide and crimes against humanity targeting the Rohingyas.
Zubair wondered where the Rohingyas would be placed if repatriated. "The Myanmar government must clarify this matter because most of Rakhine is currently under the control of the Arakan Army."
He stressed establishing a safe zone in Rakhine and ensuring a final agreement that guarantees their safety and citizenship as mandatory preconditions for their repatriation.
Rohingya journalist Mohammad Sadiq said he is uncertain whether Myanmar is capable of accepting the Rohingya at this moment.
"Our homes are now under the control of the Arakan Army. The junta has been forced to abandon these areas. So how will they carry out repatriation? That's something we'll have to see," he said.
Still, he thanked the Bangladesh government for pushing the repatriation process this far.
"We want to return to our homeland, but only if it is safe to do so."
After the announcement was posted, many Rohingya social media groups lit up with discussion. Although no one is sure when or how repatriation will begin, many expressed hopes at this development.
Mohammad Nur of Kutupalong Refugee Camp said he was delighted to learn that 180,000 Rohingyas have been identified as eligible for return to Myanmar and that more of their people are pending verification.
"I'm very happy to hear this, and I hope for a safe return of my people."
Bangladesh shelters 1.2 million Rohingyas, most of whom fled the military crackdown in Rakhine State in 2017. Not a single Rohingya could be repatriated to Myanmar despite several attempts over the last eight years.
Instead, about 100,000 Rohingyas have fled to Bangladesh since July last year as the conflicts between the Arakan Army and the military junta led to a further displacement of hundreds of thousands of people in the state.
Sources said the relationship between the Rohingya minority community and the Buddhist majority community in Rakhine State remains tense.
In addition to atrocities by the junta, they have frequently faced brutal attacks by local Rakhine groups as well.
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