Foreign Secretary Masood bin Momen has proposed the establishment of a safe zone in Rakhine under the supervision of international civilians to make Rohingya repatriation a success. He called on the international community to put pressure on Myanmar. He made the call in his keynote address at the inaugural session of the International E-Conference on the Rohingya Crisis on Tuesday.
Speaking at the inaugural session of the conference, the speakers said that despite various pressures, Myanmar's position on resolving the Rohingya issue has not changed much. So the Rohingyas living in different countries of the world have to be loud for their oppressed people. Because by forming public opinion in those countries, it is possible to create international pressure on a large scale. If the Rohingya crisis is prolonged, various problems may arise in the region.
Dhaka University's Center for Genocide Studies (CGS), ActionAid and BRAC University's Center for Genocide Studies (CPJ) have organized a two-day online conference titled 'Engagement with Rohingya Expatriates: Emphasis on Global Displacement'. Apart from Bangladesh, Rohingyas from Australia, Canada, India, Japan, Malaysia, Myanmar, Saudi Arabia, Thailand, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom and the United States participated in the conference through Zoom and Facebook live streaming.
The Foreign Secretary said that it is not possible for Bangladesh to face this challenge indefinitely. The long-term location of large populations could have an impact on the population, economy, environment, security, government infrastructure and social and political stability in the southeastern part of Bangladesh. Sad but true, despite Bangladesh's continued efforts for a lasting solution, there is no progress on repatriation due to Myanmar's lack of political will. The Myanmar army's campaign against the Arakan Army in Rakhine could prolong the whole process of the November election.
Masood bin Momen said the Rohingyas were afraid to return because of the lack of support in Rakhine. Rohingyas will have to go back and be safe একটি a region must be established. And that will be monitored by the international civilian side. For this, the international community should put pressure on Myanmar.
The Foreign Secretary sought the assistance of the international community in a number of areas to facilitate the resolution of the Rohingya issue. In order not to destroy the signs of crime, Myanmar needs to see to it that the Rohingyas do not make any changes in their lands by occupying their lands and resources. So that the camps of the displaced Rohingyas are closed within the stipulated time. After returning to Rakhine, the Rohingya need to be provided with a livelihood so that they can enjoy freedom of movement and basic benefits.
Masood bin Momen thinks the ongoing legal process to ensure accountability for the Rohingya could be protracted. Waiting too long will complicate the repatriation process. So they need to be reasonable and flexible in the interest of speedy repatriation. Priority should be given to safe, sustainable and voluntary repatriation before possible alternative arrangements such as local assimilation and relocation to a third country. He also said that temporary accommodation in Bhasanchar should be considered to reduce the pressure on the camp.
Masood bin Momen said there was growing frustration among Rohingyas as well as locals as there was no progress on repatriation. The Rohingyas' attempt to cross the sea on a dangerous path is a reflection of that frustration. If the aspirations of the oppressed people are not met, they are at risk of extremism, mass human trafficking and large-scale oppression. Prolonging this problem would be a major humanitarian catastrophe. In order to find a lasting solution to this problem, the Rohingyas living in different countries of the world can play an important role in forming opinions at the policy-making level.
Gambia's Solicitor General and Law Secretary Cherno Marina said: "I want to reassure everyone at the outset that the departure of former Gambian law minister and Attorney General Abubakar Tambadu has changed our position on the protection of Rohingya rights. Our position has not changed the least. We have gone to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) on behalf of the Rohingya, taking into account the urgings of history, the contribution of our forefathers to freedom. "
Cherno Marina said the Gambia has always been a vocal advocate for human rights and has been called the capital of human rights in Africa. So wherever human rights violations occur in the world, the Gambia declares its position. "The country's 22-year military rule has also encouraged the Gambia to be vocal on human rights," he said. The role of the expatriate Gambians in particular against the dictatorship was unprecedented. They have been vocal in different countries and have played a role in shaping public opinion in different countries of the world in favor of the movement. In the context of the Rohingya crisis, we can say that while the ICJ was going through the judicial process, the position of the expatriate Rohingyas outside the court has played a helpful role. Because they are relatives of the victims of genocide and atrocities. Therefore, we think that the connection between the Rohingyas in Cox's Bazar and the expatriate Rohingyas is very important in protecting the rights of the Rohingyas. They will work all over the world as the voices of the camp people. '
Cherno Marina said lawyers were busy finalizing documents for a full trial in the ICJ genocide case against Myanmar. Once the document is final, it will be submitted to the court.
Elaborating on the context of the two-day conference, Imtiaz Ahmed, executive director of CGS and professor of international relations at Dhaka University, said the Rohingya genocide was hidden, which came out in 2016. The ICJ's interim order has been unanimous. The Rohingyas there have been called 'Rohingya'. This is a big victory for them. So Myanmar has no chance to deny their identity. Recognition of their identity is an important element of crisis resolution.
Imtiaz Ahmed said that many people think that the Rohingya problem is a problem of Bangladesh and Myanmar. Rohingyas came to Bangladesh in 2016 to save their lives. In the past, many have sought refuge in various parts of the world to escape genocide and atrocities. It will become very clear in two days that they have spread all over the world. Therefore, in protecting the rights of the Rohingyas, the commentary of the Rohingyas living abroad has become much more important in resolving the crisis. The connection between the present and the past is also important here.
Farah Kabir, the country director of ActionAid, said the pressure on Myanmar to maintain the Rohingya issue must continue. The events of the last few years of the Rohingya crisis have made it clear that the role of the expatriate Rohingya is important. They have to come forward. The Rohingyas in the Cox's Bazar camp cannot reach out to global leaders. Expatriate Rohingyas have the opportunity to play a role there. Technology can play an important role. Young people can play an important role in the field of voice.
In his introductory speech, CPJ Executive Director Barrister Manzoor Hasan said that a sustainable solution to the Rohingya problem should be taken by all regional and international parties on an urgent basis. Because the Rohingya problem involves inhumane as well as security issues. Among them is the risk of regional dissatisfaction due to dissatisfaction.
In the first working session of the first day of the conference, Yasmin Ullah, a Rohingya human rights activist living in Canada, Morad Al Shafi, an assistant professor at King Abdul Aziz University in Saudi Arabia, and Michimi Muranushi, a professor at Gakushuen University in Japan, presented papers. Azim Ibrahim, Director of the Center for Global Policy, a US think tank, was the keynote speaker at the working session conducted by Professor Imtiaz Ahmed.
BAMC Senior Director KAM Morshed was the keynote speaker at the second working session conducted by Barrister Manzur Hasan.