Bangladesh must maintain sustained pressure for the repatriation of Rohingyas, backed by coordinated diplomatic efforts and a credible, sustainable security strategy, Prime Minister’s Defence Adviser AKM Shamsul Islam said on Monday.
“The Rohingya crisis is not merely an issue for Bangladesh. It is also a humanitarian and security concern, a national security challenge at the diplomatic level, and a growing threat to regional stability,” he said.
He made the remarks as the chief guest at a seminar titled “Challenges of Rohingya Repatriation: International Politics and National Priorities”, jointly organised by the Department of International Relations and the Centre for Genocide Studies at the University of Dhaka.
The seminar was held at the Professor Muzaffar Ahmed Chowdhury Auditorium of the Faculty of Social Sciences. DU Vice-Chancellor Prof Dr ABM Obaidul Islam attended as the guest of honour, while Prof Dr ASM Ali Ashraf, chairman of the Department of International Relations, chaired the session.
Shamsul Islam said the government is committed to safeguarding Bangladesh’s security and sovereignty while doing everything possible to ensure the country’s development.
“Bangladesh has shown extraordinary generosity over the past nine years. But this generosity cannot be confused with an indefinite commitment to a single problem,” he said, stressing that Bangladesh did not create the Rohingya crisis and cannot resolve its underlying causes alone.
He said permanently shouldering responsibility for the Rohingyas is neither morally nor strategically acceptable for Bangladesh.
“Simply waiting and hoping that the situation will improve means that it will get worse every day,” he said.
The adviser said Bangladesh’s only viable option is to maintain active and sustained pressure for repatriation, supported by a coherent diplomatic approach and a credible security strategy.
He also called for stronger international cooperation to resolve the Rohingya crisis.
