ActionAid Bangladesh in partnership with the Centre for Peace and Justice, Brac University and Centre for Genocide Studies, University of Dhaka organized a roundtable discussion titled “Rohingya Influx: Uncertainties at Hope” on Tuesday
Speakers at the discussion reflected on the fifth year of the influx of Rohingyas in Bangladesh and they agreed that creative solutions are yet to be found in ensuring justice for Rohingyas, said a press release.
“Five years later there has been little progress in furthering their cause for justice and
accountability despite some major decisions by the ICJ and ICC over the last couple of years,” said Manzoor Hasan OBE, chairperson, ActionAid International Bangladesh Society, and chair of the event.
“The role of UN bodies and Asean could have been far more robust, to say the least. The coup and current situation in Myanmar have only furthered the impunity enjoyed by the Myanmar military” he added.
Farah Kabir, country director of ActionAid Bangladesh, said: “We have not seen any active and sustainable plan from national and global leadership for peaceful repatriation of the Rohingyas. Reintegration in Myanmar, therefore, remains a far cry. However, we must not forget no one wants to be a refugee.”
Progress In Ensuring Justice For Rohingyas Moves At A Snails Pace CourtesyProf Imtiaz Ahmed, International Relations and Director, Centre for Genocide Studies said that in a similar refugee crisis refugees have been trapped in the host country for two to three generations. He emphasized the importance of listening to the voices of the Rohingyas.
Prof Shahnaz Huda of Dhaka University observed that no Islamic state has come forward to host Rohingyas so far.
Johannes Van Der Klaauw, regional representative of UNHCR opined that in no way can the Rohingya crisis be shifted from the priority agenda of global leaders. He also mentioned two major agreements with the government of Bangladesh regarding stipends for Rohingya volunteers and education in the Myanmar curriculum for the children.
“There are many children who are deprived of their basic rights. We need to remember they are not here by choice and their protection is our responsibility. We need to continue to push the authority for their return and while that is happening we must do everything we can to prepare Rohingyas for a brighter future”, said Onno Van Manen, Country Director, Save The Children.
Zafar Sobhan, editor of Dhaka Tribune said: “Rohingya repatriation is not just about returning to their homeland, it must be done with dignity. We must be serious to actualize repatriation. We cannot think this to be a zero-sum game. We cannot exclude them from education, employment, training and their rights while they are here, as it will impact both them and us in future.”
Anowara Anna Aman, board member, ActionAid International Bangladesh Society, Pedro Jr Bellen, chief technical adviser of ILO Skills Project Progress, International Labor Organization (ILO), Matilda Svensson, coordinator, Humanitarian and Development Assistance, Embassy of Sweden, Peter Bellen, chief technical advisor, Skills and Enterprise Development, Shaheen Anam, executive director of Manusher Jonno Foundation, Takiahino Utsumi, head of VAM, Embassy of Sweden, Sobeth Ahmed, Humanitarian Program of Australian High Commission also spoke among others in the roundtable.
A publication titled “Rohingyas in Myanmar and Bangladesh” authored by Dr Imtiaz Ahmed, professor of International Relations and director of Centre for Genocide Studies, University of Dhaka was also unveiled at the event.
