Alok Acharja

It has been five years since the Rohingya fled Myanmar in fear of their lives. In all these years, Myanmar has not shown any effective initiative to return the Rohingyas. Rohingyas are increasingly becoming a burden for our country. A part of the Rohingyas is involved in various crimes, drugs, infighting etc.

Repatriation initiatives were taken several times, but due to various reasons it could not be implemented yet. But now it’s time go back. We gave them shelter when needed. That doesn't mean they have to last forever. The most important thing is that the world itself is going through a worldwide crisis moment right now. The number of Rohingya children is increasing every year.

As a result, the number of Rohingyas will increase as the years passes which will create pressure on Bangladesh. This issue is raised many times in international forums. Nothing useful came up. People from Myanmar who are staying in this country called Rohingya are one of the people who have been displaced due to war and conflict in some countries of the world.

A largest part of the homeless people are now living in Bangladesh. Bangladesh has been praised internationally for sheltering the Rohingyas during the massacre in Myanmar.

It was hoped that an effective solution to this created problem would be the international community. The international community has yet to find a sustainable solution to this problem. Time is running out to decide where this large number of Rohingyas will live in the future and what will happen to their children. Sometimes some talk is heard about the Rohingya’s, but no initiative is taken regarding the main solution.

Meanwhile, this issue is getting longer and longer. Internal chaos is increasing in the camp. The number of homeless people is increasing in the world. It is an important question about what their future will be, but not an effective solution.

The Rohingya issue of Bangladesh is one such apparently unresolved issue. Where the Rohingyas are supposed to return, there is no effective response from them. There are also incidents of fleeing from Ukhia, Teknaf and Bhasanchar where the Rohingya have taken refuge. Some of them are trying to cross the sea to other countries.

There are incidents of Rohingya boat capsizing while crossing the sea. They are trying to enter different districts of the country. The incident of Rohingyas taking refuge in Bangladesh was an expression of humanitarian perspective.

It is now the responsibility of the international community to repatriate them. A military government is now in power. There is no alternative to resolve the Rohingya issue between Bangladesh and Myanmar. Rohingyas fled to Bangladesh to escape rape, torture and arson since 2017 when Myanmar started a terrible violence against Rohingyas. Bangladesh provides shelter to them in consideration of humanity.

According to official estimates, more than 11 lakh of Rohingyas are sheltered in 34 camps of Ukhia and Teknaf in Ukhia and Teknaf upazilas of Cox's Bazar. Since then, a large number of Rohingyas have been sheltered in Bangladesh.

A large number of forests have been destroyed due to the Rohingyas taking shelter which is affecting our environment and natural diversity. If this stagnation continues, there may be pressure on our agricultural land. Diplomatic efforts to return to Myanmar continue but cannot be initiated.

Meanwhile, in the Rohingya camps, incidents of shootings and deaths are also happening due to drugs, terrorism. According to the information published in the media, according to the private information of various organizations, more than 120 murders have occurred in the camp in five years.

A supportive environment for them to grow up. they need to ensure their right to land. Infighting and conflict are increasing in Rohingya camps. The Rohingya population will increase as the years go by.Uncertainty of returning to their own country, unemployment crisis and getting themselves involved in various crimes including drugs are getting prolonged. The apprehension of this uncertainty is getting longer.

The Rohingya crisis is now one of the biggest humanitarian crisis in the world. But it doesn't seem like anything is happening anytime soon. Rather, the problem is getting longer. Rohingyas are fleeing from the camps and joining various labor jobs.

This number is increasing. The fact that many of them are involved in crime is causing concern. Rohingya repatriation was supposed to start, but the work has not been accelerated. As Myanmar's political changes and the Covid-19 issue came to the fore, whatever progress had been made was overshadowed.

Due to the reluctance of the Myanmar, the process of repatriation could not be initiated. A few questions arise here. So why are the Rohingyas not willing to return to their country? Who will make the Rohingyas come back to their homeland?

Myanmar has started the problem. Then they have to solve it. However, if Myanmar cannot create a suitable safe environment for the Rohingyas in their own country and if they cannot gain the trust of the Rohingyas, it will be difficult to return them. Because they cannot go to an uncertain destination and they cannot be sent there. The international community has the most important role in this process.

Especially our neighboring countries like India, China, United States, United Kingdom or other countries of the world. Because this problem is a great example of humanitarian disaster and the world should create environment for them to reach their home safely.

Bangladesh's approach to the Rohingya has always been positive. Still have Rohingyas are in Bangladesh for humanitarian reasons. However, as the days go by, for the Rohingyas , we have to face multi-faceted problems. In particular, terrorist activities, infighting between Rohingya groups and the spread of more dangerous drugs.

Myanmar has not fulfilled the responsibility of a nation. It is the responsibility of the state to ensure the safety of all citizens living in the country. Myanmar did not.

Instead, it created a horrific situation in Rakhine. The Gambia filed a case against Myanmar at the ICJ, the highest court of the United Nations, on November 11, 2019, calling the atrocities on the Rohingyas "genocide". This was a huge achievement against Myanmar legally.

Kin' repatriation seems to have started but has not finally started. Efforts continue to ensure the return of Rohingyas to their country.

The issue of repatriation of the Kin' Rohingyas has been hanging over and over again. Rohingyas are not willing to go back unless they get a safe environment. How long Myanmar will be able to create this safe environment cannot be said with certainty.

Because there is no democratic environment in the country now. When that environment existed, no progress was made. Unfortunately, the matter seems to be prolonged.

No solution seems likely to come overnight except by waiting now and intensifying diplomatic efforts.

They can return if they are guaranteed citizenship, security and freedom of movement in Myanmar. Our internal security is likely to be compromised. International pressure must continue on Myanmar to take back the Rohingyas.

Writer is an essayist and freelance journalist, Pabna