While the conflict degenerates in the state of Rakhine of Myanmar, the fate of the Rohingyas refugees in Bangladesh remains as disastrous as ever.
Recent developments – including the Arakanic army’s decision to ban the term “rohingya” in areas under its control, by reducing food aid for refugees in Bangladesh and traveling geopolitical positions – shape the future of one of the most persecuted communities in the world.
In the midst of all this uncertainty, the only radius of hope is the secretary general of the United Nations António Guterres at the visit to Bangladesh, where he tours the Rohingyas camps in the cox bazaar alongside the acting adviser to the government of Bangladesh, Dr. Muhammad Yunus.
“Guterres and Professor Muhammad Yunus, the visit will make headlines that will attract the attention of world leaders and motivate them to act,” commented Nay San Lwin, co -founder of the Free Rohingya Coalition – an umbrella organization for Rohingya refugees, their main spokespersons and international supporters – in an exclusive interview with the diplomat.
“I think this visit will at least help collect funds to restore PAM funding,” he said, referring to the recent decision of the World Food Program (WFP) to reduce good monthly food from $ 12.50 to $ 6 per person for Rohingyas refugees in Bangladesh due to “funding for funding.”
Unless PAM reverses this decision, this can lead to “serious consequences, including increased malnutrition, deterioration in health and greater vulnerability to exploitation. With more than a million Rohingyas depending on the aid, this reduction threatens their survival and aggravates the humanitarian crisis, “said Lwin.
The reports of humanitarian organizations also indicate that the situation on the ground could deteriorate quickly, supplying fears of long -term health crises and social instability.
While desperate families are faced with the famine perspective, the operating potential by criminal networks and the growth of informal and unregulated economies increase, further complicating the efforts of aid agencies.
However, with regard to the problem of repatriation of the Rohingyas, Lwin believes that progress will depend more on myanmar than on external forces.
In Myanmar, things do not seem promising for the Rohingyas at the moment.
Recently, in the state of Rakhine of Myanmar, the longtime persecution of the Rohingyas has worsened with the army of Arakan (AA) prohibiting the term “rohingya”.
Lwin believes that this decision is not an isolated incident, but is part of a broader model of exclusion policies which have, over the decades, denied the community both recognition and rights.
“The prohibition of the Arakan of the army of” Rohingya “denies their identity and their rights in Arakan, aligning with the nationalist story of Myanmar to appease Buddhist feelings and improve the influence of the AA. This weakens the Rohingyas claiming their homeland, obstructs repatriation efforts and erases their identity with official stories, hampering their restoration of rights in Arakan, “said Lwin.
Even now, many Rohingyas continue to illegally enter Bangladesh from Rakhine struck by the conflict, paying boatmen and brokers on both sides of the border.
“This reflects the climbing of conflicts to Arakan and their despair for security,” said Lwin. “Without viable alternatives, they depend on smugglers, risking exploitation. This highlights the urgent need for a lasting solution, including international pressure on the Myanmar regime and the Arakan army. »»
In the midst of such a serious situation, Lwin pleads for a lasting solution for Rohingyas refugees in Bangladesh, rather than relying only on foreign aid. He maintains that this can only be achieved by empowering the Rohingya people in Bangladesh.
“To empower Rohingyas in Bangladesh to get a job, the [Bangladesh] Government and international organizations must issue work permits for Rohingyas refugees in sectors such as agriculture, fishing and manufacturing, ”advised Lwin.
“They should establish vocational training programs to improve their skills, support small businesses and encourage entrepreneurship in refugee camps. The promotion of the involvement of the private sector to create job opportunities with wages and fair protections is also crucial. »»
That said, Lwin acknowledges that because of the recent deterioration of public order in Bangladesh, the authorities are more likely to prevent rohingyas from working outside the camps due to security problems, political factors and local opposition.
“However, the regulated employment possibilities can be authorized in the camps or specific controlled sectors,” he noted.
Lwin has also discussed the widespread fear among Bangladian citizens that the Rohingyas are constantly settled in Bangladesh, rather than returning to Myanmar once they feel safe.
“Such concerns arise from prolonged stays on refugees and uncertain repatriation plans. The government could mitigate these fears by providing transparent, safe and volunteer repatriation processes, collaborating with international organizations for support and affirming the Rohingyas law to return to Myanmar. »»
With Yunus – an estimated figure in the West – now in power in Bangladesh, Lwin thinks that it could be the right time to reform Bangladesh policies concerning Rohingyas refugees.
“By signing the 1951 refugee convention and by granting rights to the victims of the myanmar genocide, substantial progress can be made to resolve the Rohingyas crisis. As a nation close to Arakan’s state, Bangladesh is well placed to exert an influence on the authors and help the repatriation of Rohingyas survivors in their country of origin, “he explained.
However, while Yunus requests international support, Lwin noted that the regressive decisions of the United States aggravate the conditions of refugees.
According to Lwin, in addition to restoring funds for Rohingyas refugees, the United States must defend a unified international response which ensures safe repatriation, humanitarian aid and peacebuilding initiatives.
He also called neighboring countries like India and China to support diplomatic solutions and repatriation efforts. Otherwise, “the Rohingya crisis could increase tensions on refugee movements in South and Southeast Asia.”
In the end, he urged UN agencies “to continue to provide effective humanitarian aid, while the ICC and the CIJ should hold the myanmar responsible for the genocide”.