DHAKA, June 20 (V7N) – On World Refugee Day, Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) acting chairman Tarique Rahman has called upon the international community and Bangladesh's interim government to strengthen diplomatic pressure on Myanmar for the "safe, dignified and voluntary" repatriation of the Rohingya people. Over 1.4 million Rohingya refugees have sought shelter in Bangladesh's Cox's Bazar region after fleeing persecution in Myanmar.

In a Facebook post today, Rahman expressed solidarity with millions of forcibly displaced people globally. He acknowledged Bangladesh's widely commended humanitarian commitment to hosting the Rohingya, but emphasized that "this crisis remains as one of the world's most serious humanitarian crises and its burden is becoming increasingly unbearable for Bangladesh."


Rahman urged the interim government, led by Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus, to intensify diplomatic efforts and exert sustained pressure on Myanmar for the safe, dignified, and voluntary return of the Rohingya to their homeland. He stressed the importance of a peaceful and fair system that ensures "no refugee is left behind when returning home."

The call for heightened international pressure comes as various reports indicate a complex and challenging situation for Rohingya repatriation. While Myanmar's government recently confirmed that approximately 180,000 Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh are eligible for repatriation, concerns remain about the security situation in Rakhine State, Myanmar, and the assurance of full rights and citizenship for returnees. The ongoing conflict between the Myanmar military and ethnic armed groups, particularly the Arakan Army, has further complicated prospects for safe returns.

Bangladesh has consistently maintained that any repatriation must be voluntary and ensure the safety and dignity of the Rohingya. Earlier this month, Bangladesh's National Security Adviser Khalilur Rahman ruled out the possibility of a humanitarian corridor through Bangladesh for Myanmar, stating the interim government has no intention of discussing such a proposal.

Tarique Rahman's statement underscores the shared concern among Bangladeshi political figures regarding the protracted crisis and the urgent need for a durable solution, reiterating that the burden of hosting such a large refugee population is unsustainable for Bangladesh.

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