Dhaka: State Minister for Foreign Affairs Humaiun Kobir today emphasized the need for simultaneous progress in justice for atrocities in Rakhine and the sustainable return of Rohingyas to their homeland. 'We fully support the accountability proceedings before the ICJ and the ICC.because Bangladesh believes justice for Rakhine and return to Rakhine must move together,' Kobir stated, addressing the closing session of an international conference titled 'Protracted Rohingya Crisis: The Search for a Comprehensive Approach' at the Foreign Service Academy auditorium.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, Kobir reiterated Bangladesh's commitment to ensuring the safe, voluntary, dignified, and sustainable repatriation of the forcibly displaced Rohingyas. He called for stronger regional diplomacy alongside multilateral efforts to create conditions conducive to their return. 'Bangladesh remains ready to work with China, ASEAN, the United Nations, and other partners in pursuing a practical and sustainable way forward,' he added.
Acknowledging the complex situation on the ground, Kobir noted that most of Rakhine is currently beyond Myanmar state administration control, dominated by the Arakan Army. The ongoing conflict between the Tatmadaw and the Arakan Army has turned the region into a battlefield, posing significant challenges to repatriation efforts. However, he emphasized that these challenges, though formidable, are surmountable.
Kobir highlighted Bangladesh's diplomatic patience and experience, citing past successful Rohingya repatriations in 1978 and 1992. He stressed that the question is not 'if' but 'how' and 'how soon' repatriation can occur. The state minister also mentioned the decisive step taken by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman's government by establishing the National Strategy Formulation Committee on Rohingya Affairs to harmonize the country's diplomatic, humanitarian, and security responses.
With over a million displaced individuals in congested camps, Kobir noted the implications for both humanitarian concerns and national security. 'We owe the Rohingya protection. We owe the people of Cox's Bazar security and opportunity. We will not choose between the two,' he affirmed. The government aims to shift from open-ended humanitarian management to return-linked programming, ensuring prolonged displacement does not become permanent.
Kobir stressed the importance of international partnership in addressing the funding gap and called for structured and predictable international responsibility-sharing. 'No single country should carry what is, in truth, an international responsibility,' he said.
He outlined Bangladesh's intent to expedite Rohingya verification under the bilateral Memorandum of Arrangement with Myanmar while preparing operational modalities for conducive return conditions. Kobir also expressed Dhaka's desire for stronger regional diplomatic engagement and cooperation with international stakeholders.
Regarding future scenarios, Kobir asserted Bangladesh's readiness to keep all options open-diplomatic, humanitarian, and security-related-to effectively respond to evolving circumstances. He urged the international community to approach the crisis with renewed resolve, recalling past successes in facilitating Rohingya repatriation.
The conference saw the participation of Foreign Secretary Asad Alam Siam, Professor Dr. ASM Ali Ashraf, academics, students of international relations, trainee officers of the Foreign Service Academy, and Rohingya representatives.