Aung Kyaw Moe, advisor to the Ministry of Human Rights of the Myanmar National Unity Government (NUG), recently sat with Dhaka Tribune's Umran Chowdhury to discuss the situation in the neighbouring country and the grim prospects of repatriation.
The National Unity Government (NUG) represents the main opposition against the junta in neighbouring Myanmar. It controls Myanmar's seat at the United Nations. Myanmar is currently in the midst of a civil war between its junta, the NUG, and various rebel groups.
Aung Kyaw Moe founded a civil society organization, which received the Global Pluralism Award from the Aga Khan in 2019. He called on Bangladesh to take a firm stand for democracy to end the Rohingya crisis once and for all.
Aung Kyaw Moe, advisor to the Ministry of Human Rights of the Myanmar National Unity Government (NUG) TwitterYou are a leader of the Rohingya community in the National Unity Government of Myanmar. Before the coup of 1 February 2021, the government of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi promised to implement the repatriation agreement with Bangladesh. Is repatriation still possible?
It is definitely not possible at this given time. It was not possible before the coup and it is not possible due to the current circumstances in Myanmar. It will not be possible unless conditions on the ground have met the minimum needs and wants of the Rohingya people.
When ordinary Rohingya are trying to escape from the open-air prison in Rakhine State, it is simply impossible to consider the possibility of repatriation.
The failure of the previous two attempts at repatriation is a clear example that the repatriation agreement is not implementable in the current political, economic, and social circumstances.
However, it is wise to make necessary arrangements from the Bangladeshi side in order to be prepared to rapidly start repatriation when the situation in Myanmar meets the bare minimum standards for refugees to return. Furthermore, it is vital to understand that the repatriation of the Rohingya must meet international standards. It must be realistic and sustainable.
This will only be possible when Myanmar, as the country of origin of the Rohingya refugees, has a government that is democratic and inclusive, and has genuine political will for repatriation.
It has been five years since the repatriation agreement was signed in 2017. Bangladesh says that not a single Rohingya has gone back. What conditions need to be created for repatriation to take place?
Conditions in Rakhine State are exactly what they were in 2017. Land is more dangerous than water. Nothing has improved on the ground for the Rohingya; and in some cases, the situation is worse than before. No human being would want to go back to the hell zone from which they escaped and survived.
It is very simple when we talk about creating conditions for repatriation to take place. Simply put, the environment needs to be livable with dignity for one as a human being. The Rohingya are no less human than anyone else and have a sense of belonging in Myanmar like any other ethnic group.
In order for the Rohingya to be repatriated, resettled, and reintegrated back into Myanmar society, the following must happen:
Justice and reparations through the international and domestic legal systems. Both the physical and mental trauma of the Rohingya deserve reparations.
The state must ensure that the Rohingya have equal (political, social, and economic) rights like any other ethnic group, including the right to citizenship.
All restrictions on freedom of religion, freedom of movement, and other forms of discrimination imposed on the Rohingya must be abolished.
The Rohingya must be able to go back to their place of origin.
Is the National Unity Government open to engagement with Bangladesh, including setting up a representative office in Dhaka or Cox's Bazaar?
The NUG is Myanmar's legitimate government and truly represents Myanmar's people. It is open to engagement with all countries that support democracy. It is always willing to maintain good friendship and promote bilateral engagement, particularly with neighbouring countries. In some countries, representative offices have been established.
The two neighbouring countries have a 271-km international boundary. There is much more beyond official ties, including people-to-people ties and border trade. It is important to bear in mind that stability, peace, and democracy in Myanmar are beneficial to its neighbouring countries.
Crucially, Myanmar needs to be a democracy for successful repatriation and preventing any future exodus of the Rohingya, who have suffered genocide. Bangladesh should learn lessons from 1978 and 1993, which resulted in semi-failed repatriations. This contributed to the 2017 exodus.
It is vital for Bangladesh to take a firm stand to end the Rohingya crisis once and for all. Being a multiparty democracy, Bangladesh should support and help Myanmar to become a democracy. I am sure that the NUG will be open to setting up an office and formal relationship with Bangladesh.
Northern Rakhine State is currently witnessing heavy fighting between the junta and the Arakan Army. What is your relationship with the Arakan Army?
The fight between the junta and the Arakan Army has accelerated. Civilians, particularly the Rohingya, are paying the highest cost by being trapped between the two armed groups. All parties in the conflict must follow International Humanitarian Law and provisional measures ordered by the International Court of Justice.
I am an advisor to the NUG but not part of the cabinet. The NUG has a good relationship with the Arakan Army. I do not have a formal relationship with the Arakan Army. I do not think any Rohingya has a formal relationship with the Arakan Army even though we are still the second largest ethnic population in Rakhine State with a primary role in the affairs of the state. It will be extremely difficult for the Arakan Army to achieve anything politically sustainable when the second-largest population group in Rakhine State is excluded from its political sphere.
Is the National Unity Government interested in establishing a base or temporary capital in northern Rakhine State, including in the townships of Maungdaw, Buthidaung and Rathedaung?
The NUG and its allies are gaining territory day by day. The goal of the NUG is to establish a federal democracy. If all parties and allies agree with the federal charter, then the NUG can have a base anywhere in the country as a federal governing agency.
If the National Unity Government governed northern Rakhine State, would it be possible for the Rohingya refugees to return?
Yes, I think that is the only hope for the Rohingya. But we should not wait until the National Unity Government has full territorial control over the country to start making all necessary arrangements that guarantee the safe, dignified and voluntary return of the Rohingya to their place of origin.
Does the National Unity Government support legal reforms like abolishing the 1982 Citizenship Law?
The NUG issued a Rohingya policy in June 2021, which states that it will abolish the 1982 Citizenship Law. I advised them repeatedly to abolish the 1982 Citizenship Law, not only for the Rohingya but to protect and promote the very principles of democracy that the NUG is preaching. The citizenship law must be repealed because it is discriminatory and violates all democratic norms and principles.
I know the process is ongoing, and I am also a part of this process, but it has been prolonged.
