A kind neighbour

Bangladesh, a small South Asian country, has always contributed in reconstructing the walls of humanity with love, warmth, and kindness. The country won its independence through a nine-month-long sanguinary war. Bangali people fought for their rights, fought for a country that would be humanitarian, secular, and independent in its true essence. After 46 years of independence, Bangladesh has still never withdrawn from its spirit of standing up for humanity. The world is currently witnessing a refugee crisis in Europe, caused by the Syrian civil war. The war started in 2011, and is still ongoing, between President Basar-Al-Asad’s government and the Western-backed rebel groups. The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) reports that 4.8 million Syrians have fled to various neighbouring countries such as Turkey, Lebanon, Jordan, Egypt, Iraq, and Germany. Syria is a war-zone now, with many Syrians being displaced within their own country.Bigotry new and oldThe refugee crises being witnessed around the world is nothing new. After World War II, there was a massive refugee crisis in Europe. People were uprooted from their native lands. At least 81.6 million people were displaced in nine historical events between 1940 to 1960. Millions of Germans were barred from then USSR which is now Russia. A massive refugee crisis arose from 1960 to 2000 because of various wars for independence, the Cold War, and many other conflicts. Washington Post reported that around 46.5 million people were displaced between 1960 to 2000 in 32 different occurrences. De-colonisation and independence wars were causes of such crises around the globe. In Asia and Africa, the crisis was severe. In 1947, as a consequence of Partition, 14 million people were displaced in Asia. Then, in the 1950s, the wave of independence wars and de-colonisation began. In Algeria, Congo, Angola, and Nigeria, many people were displaced in the 1960s because of independence wars, civil wars, and military oppression. There was also ethnic cleansing in various African countries which caused massive displacements of people.The times they are a-changin’Bangladesh is facing a humanitarian crisis caused by the irresponsible acts of the Myanmar government and its army. A Myanmar military response to insurgent attacks last month in the country’s Rakhine state sent more than 410,000 Rohingya Muslims fleeing to neighbouring Bangladesh, escaping, what the United Nations has branded, an ethnic cleansing. Many Rohingya were killed, raped, and their homes were burned by the security forces and local Burmese Buddhists.

The way Bangladesh has been dealing with the Rohingya crisis, with patience and magnanimity, deserves immeasurable appreciation

A saviour As a neighbouring country, Bangldesh had to give shelter to the Rohingya given how Myanmar is denying them their identity and left them no choice but to leave their own country. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has said: “Bangladesh is not a rich country, but if we can feed 160 million people, another 700,000 people can also be fed.” This refugee crisis is going to be very tough on Bangladesh. The prime minister also said she wanted to see more international political pressure on Myanmar to allow the Rohingya to return. World leaders are acknowledging the crisis but still Myanmar is not addressing the issue properly. In her first address to the nation since the attacks, Myanmar’s State Councellor Aung Sun Suu Kyi said her country did not fear international scrutiny and was committed to a sustainable solution to the conflict. The dead bodies of the Rohingya are floating in the Naf River. The procession of homeless, stateless Rohingya people will not end today, tomorrow, or in the near future. In fact, it’s increasing day by day. As a country and neighbour that believes in humanity, Bangladesh took on the responsibility to first give the Rohingya refugees shelter -- but that’s not a long-term solution. The Myanmar government must acknowledge their own people. They have to take back the Rohingya to their own rightful land, and ensure their safety. That’s the only solution to this crisis. Despite this fact, the way Bangladesh has been dealing with the Rohingya crisis, with patience and magnanimity, deserves immeasurable appreciation. We hope that Bangladesh will be able to uphold the case for humanity, which has always been one of its basic tenets, going forward.Fahim Ibne Sarwar is a freelance contributor.