International Pressure Mounts on Myanmar for Rohingya Repatriation, Says Home Adviser

Home Affairs Adviser Urges International Pressure on Myanmar for Rohingya Repatriation

Home Affairs Adviser Lt Gen (Retd) Md Jahangir Alam Chowdhury has called for increased international pressure on Myanmar to ensure the repatriation of Rohingyas (forcibly displaced Myanmar citizens).

During a meeting with United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) Filippo Grandi at the Secretariat in Dhaka on Thursday afternoon, the adviser urged the global community to strengthen its influence on Myanmar to facilitate the return of Rohingya refugees.

According to a press release from the Home Ministry, the discussion focused on key issues, including Rohingya repatriation, security and economic challenges arising from their presence in Bangladesh, their relocation to Bhashan Char, and concerns over the suspension of financial aid by the US Agency for International Development (USAID).

Welcoming the UN High Commissioner, the adviser highlighted that Bangladesh has been hosting 1.3 million Rohingyas on humanitarian grounds. He noted that the increasing population density in Rohingya settlements has led to rising social and economic challenges, along with security concerns due to their involvement in criminal activities, posing risks to both national and regional stability.

In response, Filippo Grandi expressed appreciation for Bangladesh’s humanitarian efforts and acknowledged that the Rohingyas were forced to seek refuge after facing persecution and displacement in Myanmar. He assured continued support for Bangladesh in its efforts to facilitate Rohingya repatriation.

Jahangir Alam Chowdhury emphasized that prolonged sheltering of Rohingyas might result in Myanmar’s reluctance to take them back in the future. He reiterated that since the Rohingyas are citizens of Myanmar, the responsibility for their repatriation ultimately lies with the Myanmar government.

Addressing concerns over USAID’s suspension of financial assistance, the adviser urged the UNHCR to mobilize funds through donor agencies and other development partners to continue supporting the Rohingya refugees.

The meeting was attended by UNHCR Director of the Asia-Pacific Regional Bureau Hai Kyung Jun, UNHCR Country Representative Sumbul Rizvi, UNHCR Bangladesh Office Senior External Relations Officer Romain Desclous, and senior officials from the Ministry of Home Affairs.