On the eighth anniversary of Myanmar’s violent 2017 crackdown against Rohingya Muslims, Professor Muhammad Yunus, interim Chief Advisor and Nobel Peace Prize laureate for Bangladesh issued a forceful plea for justice, safety, and sustainable repatriation for over 1.3 million Rohingya refugees currently hosted in Bangladesh.
Urgent Call Amid Increased Pressure
Yunus stressed at a high-level international conference in Cox’s Bazar that Bangladesh has reached its limit in terms of taking in further strain; domestic resources can no longer be dedicated solely to caring for refugee population amid mounting economic, environmental and governance pressures. Yunus underscored this point by emphasizing:
Given our numerous challenges, there is no prospect for additional mobilization of domestic resources.”
Thus, he called on the international community to step up and provide a roadmap for refugees’ safe, voluntary, and sustainable return to Rakhine State.
Justice and Rights as Preconditions of Global Prosperity
Yunus asserted that any repatriation plan must be grounded in justice and security for its implementation to be successful, with safe return contingent on Rohingya rights being realized such as equal citizenship, legal recognition and protection against persecution in Myanmar.
Al Jazeera +10 for its reporting; AP News +10.
Rohingya refugees also commemorated this landmark anniversary with rallies at various camps across Cox’s Bazar, to demand equal rights in Myanmar akin to other ethnic groups and repatriation as an ultimate solution. One protester stated this position.
“Our vision is to return home as equal citizens of Myanmar.”
Zhao Ri Xin Wen of the Rohingya Aspirations Conference spoke at an AP News event recently to share their opinions.
Youth and diaspora activists addressed international stakeholders to underscore that repatriation must take place with dignity and full recognition of rights:
Furkan Mizan, a young Rohingya student, spoke of their academic potential being hindered by discrimination:
“We were forcibly uprooted from our country… This life was not intended.”
Sahu Asyus insisted that returning must guarantee citizenship, accountability and freedom:
“Repatriation does not simply involve returning home; rather, it means doing so with rights, dignity and freedom of movement.”
Anwar Arkani, an exile leader from Myanmar, denounced its corruption:
“These individuals have committed every crime imaginable and remain free. What gives?”
The Daily Star: Atrocities Continue and Justice Is Denied
International accountability remains unmet in Myanmar; no key figures have been held accountable yet.
IIMM for Myanmar
According to The Daily Star, although investigations by the International Criminal Court have resulted in an arrest warrant being requested for Myanmar military leader Min Aung Hlaing, prosecutions may still be limited by his non-member status and political pushback.
Wikipedia +3 A Pivotal Moment with Global Implications
As the largest refugee crisis of our time continues, Yunus’s appeal marks an essential moment: Bangladesh can no longer bear this responsibility on its own; safe repatriation should not be seen as separate from justice and protection. His seven-point roadmap suggests moving away from simply hosting refugees toward rebuilding justice and dignity for a persecuted people.
Success of this initiative relies heavily on international participation to ensure Myanmar becomes a safe, inclusive, and accountable environment – one in which Rohingya refugees can return as citizens rather than refugees.