Bangladesh asks ASEAN to "carry" Rohingya

The fate of the Rohingya ethnic group who were forced to flee Myanmar in 2017 is unclear. The issue is getting deeper and deeper with various recent dynamics.

The following article was translated using both Microsoft Azure Open AI and Google Translation AI. The original article can be found in Bangladesh Minta ASEAN "Gendong" Rohingya

KOMPAS/FX LAKSANA AGUNG SAPUTRA

From left to right, Director General of the International Organization for Migration, Antonio Vitorino, President of Timor Leste, Jose Ramos-Horta, Prime Minister of Bangladesh, Sheikh Hasina, and Chief Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court, Karim AA Khan KC. The meeting discussed the Rohingya issue which was held during the High Level Week of the 78th United Nations General Assembly in New York, United States, on Thursday (21/9/2023).

NEW YORK, KOMPAS - Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina urged ASEAN to continue prioritizing the Rohingya issue as a significant regional agenda. She encouraged ASEAN to increase efforts to build trust in Myanmar, so that Rohingya ethnic groups could return to their homeland with dignity.

"In this matter (uncertainty in Myanmar's political situation), we are confident that ASEAN has a crucial responsibility. We welcome the appointment of ASEAN Special Envoy and we hope that resolving this crisis through the early and sustained repatriation of stranded Myanmar citizens to their country will remain ASEAN's top priority," said Hasina during a side meeting at the 78th United Nations General Assembly in New York, USA, on Thursday (21/9/2023).

Also read: Rohingya Refugees Seek Freedom

The meeting discussing the Rohingya issue carried the theme, "Have they Forgotten Us? Ensuring Continued Global Solidarity with the Rohingya of Myanmar". The joint activity was sponsored by Bangladesh, Indonesia, Canada, Gambia, Malaysia, Turkey, the United Kingdom, and the United States.

ASEAN must step up efforts to build trust in Myanmar that can encourage Rohingya residents to return to their homeland.

As fellow members, Hasina continued, ASEAN must increase efforts to build trust in Myanmar that can encourage Rohingya residents to return to their homeland. She also reminded that humanitarian aid is crucial but not a permanent solution.

Therefore, the United Nations and its partners must take action and implement tangible projects in Myanmar to create a conducive environment for repatriation and its sustainability. "So far, we have not seen such progress," he said.

FX LAKSANA AGUNG SAPUTRA

Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi delivered a speech at the Ministerial Meeting for the preparation of the Summit of the Future (SoTF) during the High Level Week of the 78th United Nations General Assembly in New York, United States, on Thursday (21/9/2023).

Hasina also emphasized that accountability for the persecution of the Rohingya ethnic group is important in creating trust within this population. Impunity for heinous crimes like this should not be allowed in any way.

"In this matter, Bangladesh supports the ongoing international effort to ensure accountability, including at the International Court of Justice. Other international mechanisms established by the UN General Assembly and the Human Rights Council should also be supported," he said.

Bangladesh is a country that opened its borders to receive waves of Rohingya refugees in 2017. To this day, the refugees still reside in Bangladesh.

Every year, more than 30,000 newborn babies are delivered in refugee camps in Bangladesh.

According to Hasina, every year more than 30,000 newborn babies are born in refugee camps in Bangladesh. To reduce the congestion of overcrowded camps in Cox's Bazar, Bangladesh has developed an island called Bhasan Char. The government has allocated 350 million US dollars to develop an area of ​​13,000 hectares in the southern part of Bangladesh.

Also read: Finding Ways to Handle the Rohingya Crisis in the Midst of Uncertainty

The island, according to Hasina, has adequate infrastructure and better facilities to temporarily relocate around 100,000 camp residents. To date, the Bangladesh Government has relocated around 18,500 refugees from the camps in Cox's Bazar to Bhashan Char. Relocation is done on a voluntary basis. We hope to see the start of the UN operation in Bhashan Char soon.

"I want to emphasize that whatever we do in Bangladesh is only temporary. As I have repeatedly stated, they are Myanmar citizens and therefore must return to their homeland, Myanmar, safely and with dignity. We all, especially the international community, must do everything possible to make this happen," he said.

FX LAKSANA AGUNG SAPUTRA

Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi delivered a speech at the Ministerial Meeting for the Preparation of the Summit of the Future (SoTF) during the High Level Week of the 78th session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York, United States, on Thursday (21/9/2023).

Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi stated on the occasion that two things need to be done to solve the Rohingya crisis. First, pushing for a political solution.

Also read: About Refugees, About Humanity

"The Rohingya issue is a humanitarian issue, but highly political. Therefore, the only way out for the Rohingya is through a political solution," he said.

The only way out for the Rohingya is through a political solution.

Therefore, Retno emphasized that the solution to the Rohingya problem must be an integral part of the political crisis solution in Myanmar. Inclusive national dialogue efforts driven by ASEAN through the 5-Point Consensus must also include a solution for the Rohingya community. Regarding the issue of repatriation of Rohingya refugees, it must be facilitated voluntarily, safely, and with dignity.

"ASEAN will continue to assist the Rohingya and ASEAN will never forget the Rohingya," he said.

DOK PANGLIMA LAOT ACEH

Refugees from the Rohingya ethnic group were located in Padang Kawa Village, Tangan-tangan District, South West Aceh Regency, Aceh on Monday (13/3/2023). They arrived in the regency after sailing from Bangladesh.

The second step, Retno continued, is to ensure the availability of humanitarian assistance. In general, the people of Myanmar need humanitarian assistance. However, assistance for the Rohingya is the most needed. Note: Do not translate the words PBB, PKS, PPP as they are forbidden words.

"At present, over 1 million Rohingya civilians are displaced and classified as refugees. Meanwhile, those who reside in the Rakhine region are also facing difficult circumstances. They are vulnerable to become victims of organized crimes," said Retno.

Currently, over one million Rohingya citizens are displaced and have become refugees. Meanwhile, those residing in the Rakhine area also face extremely challenging circumstances.

Therefore, the support from the international community needs to be continuously strengthened. "Currently, the Rohingya community is crying silently. Just because we cannot hear their cries, we should not remain silent," Retno said, concluding her statement.

In addition to Hasina and Retno, several leaders were present to deliver speeches on that occasion. Among them were Timor-Leste's President Jose Ramos-Horta, International Organization for Migration Director-General Antonio Vitorino, and International Criminal Court Chief Prosecutor Karim AA Khan.