Border News Agency
Dhaka, May 4, 2025
The possibility of repatriating the Rohingya refugees to Myanmar remains grim due to the country’s ongoing civil war and fragmented administration, according to Md Touhid Hossain, Adviser to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Speaking at a seminar organized by the Bangladesh University of Professionals (BUP) and the Armed Forces Division, Hossain said the political and security situation in Myanmar is not conducive to a safe and dignified return of the Rohingya people.
“Repatriation cannot happen in a country that is at war with itself and where governance is divided,” he stated. “The Rohingya want safety and citizenship guarantees, and without these, no one will voluntarily return.”
Highlighting the historical context, the former foreign secretary noted that the 2017 mass influx was the third large-scale displacement of Rohingya from Rakhine State. He said around 300,000 had already taken refuge in Bangladesh before the 2017 crackdown began.
Hossain criticized the government’s earlier approach of depending solely on bilateral negotiations with Myanmar. “We made a mistake by going bilateral. Not a single Rohingya has returned through that process,” he said.
The adviser emphasized that the crisis demands international involvement and a multilateral framework to ensure accountability and long-term solutions.
He also noted that although life in Bangladesh’s camps is difficult, it remains more secure for the Rohingya than the war-torn conditions in their homeland.
The seminar brought together experts, academics, and officials to discuss the pressing challenges surrounding the Rohingya issue and regional stability.
