Treating the ‘Rohingya’ issue in Bangladesh

Recently, the self-styled weeping of some international human rights observers and others has rather entrenched our longstanding belief that they put their attention on the issue which is not timely and due for it. Without imposing the Myanmar authority to stop systematic killing, they are imposing Bangladesh to allow the victims.

Bangladesh is equally lamented at the situation prevailing in Myanmar. The issue of the Rohingyas was created in course of time. Considering their present condition, it can be said that they are stateless and refugees.

They have been becoming subject to persecution, discrimination and torture since long and unfortunately with due international attention.

We have not observed any effective and fruitful steps taken by these human rights protectors despite with severe maltreatment and sufferings imposed by the state authority of Myanmar. Even the US and other countries also maintained a surreptitious silence in this regard.

However, we also extol their initiative to ease the situation in Myanmar. Their initiative includes creating pressure on Bangladesh to allow the Rohingyas in the country. For doing this, the international human rights watch bodies have urged us to keep our border open to let the Rohingyas enter into our country. Very naturally, it is the easiest solution and suggestion of those human rights and democracy guru.
They cannot force the Myanmar authority to stop this systematic killing and genocide over there. Their counseling does not work there and the authorities of Myanmar do not pay heed to their recommendations at all. So, very ostensibly, that sort of solution is very obvious from them.

The international community did not utter any word when the Rohingyas were denied of their citizenship rights, freedom of movement and many other civil, political and economic rights. They were made stateless in their own home. They were subject to forced labour. They have lost their own home, land, property and all other tangible and intangible property. In addition to this, physical violence, torture and other form of persecutions have prevailed over the years on that community. They were always been subject to threat.

Bangladesh has reiterated its position regarding the issue of Rohingyas of Myanmar. Bangladesh has cleared it’s position as per the international law and guidelines. As per the international law, Bangladesh is not bound to allow the Rohingyas in the country.

Instead of forcing the Myanmar authorities, HRW and UNHCR are urging the authorities of Bangladesh to allow the Rohingyas in that land.

Those observers also recalled the history of 1971 as a plea to allow the Rohingyas in Bangladesh which is irrelevant particularly in this regard.

There are already many Rohingyas in Bangladesh. The international community and HRW and UHHCR are saying that they will ensure the return of the Rohingyas to Myanmar after the situation is eased. But we already have experienced that they could not do it even after years have elapsed since the beginning of the exodus from Myanmar to Bangladesh. So, their commitment is worth of no consideration.

In the letter written by the chief of HRW to our Prime Minister, some irrelevant argument was cited as a plea to allow the Rohingyas in Bangladesh. Ignoring the major relevant international legal instrument, some far-flung instruments were cited concerning the issue.

However, if Bangladesh allows the Rohingyas, it will be on only humanitarian grounds. To allow or not to allow is the fullest authority of the government of Bangladesh. But we the people want the government take its decision considering the humanitarian grounds in addition to international law and obligations.
EAP