Return of Rohingyas

The repatriation of the remaining Rohingyas from the soil of Bangladesh is likely to take place very soon, thanks to a well-concerted move by the governments of the two countries, Bangladesh and Myanmar. A government handout says that the Foreign Secretary will pay a visit to Myanmar soon to discuss the issue with the authorities in that country so that all goes according to plan while actual repatriation process begins. It is heartening that both the governments are going to synchronise steps to the effect that total repatriation can be completed by June 2003, and we believe it is good thinking that the border guards have been alerted to check influx of new batch of refugees into Bangladesh through the permanent borders.Because of some socio-political troubles across the borders a large number of Muslim Rohingyas had crossed over to Bangladesh from the bordering Arakan state of Myanmar in 1991 and since then have been living the life of refugees in various camps in and around Cox’s Bazar. Through some successful negotiations with the Myanmar authorities, it was possible to send back most of the refugees but a sizeable number had to stay back
as the process stopped for various reasons.

We believe this latest development will be viewed as a boon by the remaining Rohingya refugees who have been living amidst multitudinous misery and suffering in the host country that itself is not affluent enough to bear the burden for long. Displacement from their own
homestead for any reason and to be forced to live on foreign soil on the mercy of other fellow humans is a predicament of the worst kind as it robs the people of their basic rights and dignity.

We hope the Rohingyas will be able to go home soon and start afresh their life as the rightful citizens of Myanmar.

The Independent, Dhaka