New york: Emphasising the Rohingya repatriation as the ‘only peaceful solution’ to the protracted Rohingya crisis, Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus today proposed seven-point actions, including devising a practical roadmap for safe and dignified return of Rohingyas with reasonable stabilisation of Rakhine. “As funding declines, the only peaceful option is to begin their repatriation,” he said.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the Chief Adviser made the remarks while speaking at the ‘Opening Session of the High-Level Conference on the Situation of the Rohingya Muslims and Other Minorities in Myanmar’ at the United Nations Headquarters. “Eight years since the genocide began, the plight of the Rohingya continues. Initiatives to end the crisis are lacking. International funding faces alarming shortfalls,” he stated, emphasizing that the Rohingya crisis originated in Myanmar and its solution lies there.
Professor Yunus urged the international community to put effective pressure on Myanmar and the Arakan Army to immediately stop persecution of the Rohingya and start working for their expeditious repatriation to Rakhine. He stressed, “It is the only solution to the crisis. It should not be held hostage to broader reforms in Myanmar.” The Nobel Peace Laureate noted that this approach would require fewer resources than continuing international protection and highlighted that the Rohingyas have consistently expressed their desire to return home.
He advocated for allowing the immediate repatriation of those who recently crossed into Bangladesh to escape conflict. “Bangladesh is a victim of the crisis. We are forced to bear huge financial, social, and environmental costs,” Prof Yunus stated, highlighting the detrimental impact of criminal activities, including narcotics trafficking from Rakhine, on Bangladesh’s social fabric.
Towards a sustainable resolution of the crisis, Professor Yunus proposed seven-point actions for the international community. First, he called for devising a practical roadmap for the safe and dignified repatriation of the Rohingya, with stabilisation in Rakhine. Second, exerting effective pressure on Myanmar and the Arakan Army to end violence against the Rohingya and initiate their sustainable repatriation, starting with those recently arrived in Bangladesh and internally displaced persons.
Thirdly, he suggested mobilising international support to stabilise Rakhine and introducing international civilian presence to monitor progress. Fourthly, he stressed the need for supporting confidence-building measures for the sustainable integration of the Rohingya into Rakhine society and governance.
In addition, he urged mobilising donors’ contributions to fully fund the Joint Response Plan and pursuing accountability and restorative justice. Finally, he proposed dismantling the narco-economy and combating transboundary crimes.
Professor Yunus concluded by asserting that the world cannot keep the Rohingya waiting any longer to return home. “Today, let us pledge to act together to resolve the crisis once and for all. Bangladesh stands ready to extend its full cooperation to this end,” he appealed to the international community.