It has been encouraging to see talks of repatriating the Rohingya refugees currently taking shelter in Cox's Bazar finally gather some momentum, and the delegation of Rohingya visiting Rakhine State to check the conditions there before a possible repatriation process can start is certainly another step in the right direction.
By now, Bangladesh's humanity is about as unquestionable as Myanmar's indifference towards its own people; a nation with the limited resources we have should never have needed to host over a million refugees for this many years to begin with.
And while Bangladesh has rightfully earned plaudits for everything it has done to shelter the Rohingya all these years, repatriation -- ensuring it is voluntary, safe and dignified -- has always been the only viable conclusion.
And while we may be hopeful of some progress given the present signs, Bangladesh has been trying to proceed talks with regard to repatriation for a long time now -- only for it to remain stagnant.
Much of the blame falls on the international community who have been passive at best with regard to putting pressure on Myanmar to take back their people and begin to right the wrongs of the heinous acts of their military -- actions that till date have not resulted in Myanmar facing any significant ramifications.
However, from Bangladesh's point of view, we must continue to push ahead with trying to do the right thing, which is the safe and voluntary return of the Rohingya back home. The authorities concerned must not let up on their pursuit, and continue to push ahead to make this a success.