Myanmar nationals
The recent incidents of drifting to the deep sea by the Thai law enforcements agencies of the Rohingya boat peat approaching the Thai shore and their subsequent rescue by Indian and Indonesian navies have created a hue and cry all over the world.
Those people, a persecuted Muslim ethnic group from Myanmar, reportedly reached the Thai shore riding small country boats arranged by smuggling syndicates, risking their lives. They were promised to be taken to Malaysia or Indonesia by those smugglers taking a handsome amount of money. Those syndicates reportedly have bases across the region- in Myanmar, Bangladesh, Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia and China and have linked to a section of law enforcers.
On the developments, in response to their nightmare following the drifting, the Rohingya issue has come to the limelight calling for regional and international actions to seek a solution which is due for a long time.
This is the time for Bangladesh, which has been hosting thousands of Rohingyas and other Myanmar nationals seeking refuge here, to negotiate with international communities and the UN and ask for a permanent solution.
And any solution to the Rohingya problem in Bangladesh should start with their return to their country of origin, Myanmar. Alternatively, Rohingyas staying in Bangladesh should be resettled in third countries as Bangladesh is already packed with its over population stricken with poverty. The developed countries need to show their courage and commitment in this matter.
The issue of burden-sharing also needs to be considered by the developed countries. Merely, a token donation and resettlement of a small number of Rohingya refugees from Bangladesh do not make a point.
On the other hand, the international community should come forward for restoration of democracy in Myanmar and solution of the citizenship problem of the Rohingyas.
The UN Refugee Agency, UNHCR, has a role to play. It is time to see how this organization deals with the Thai or Indonesian authorities compared to their 'pressure' on Bangladesh.
Having the cloud on the scene, Bangladesh should make it clear that the Rohingyas are not Bangladeshi nationals, rather they are the Muslim ethnic group from the western part of Myanmar, known as Arakan (now Rakhine State) and bordering Bangladesh. Since, 1992 thousands of them have fled to Bangladesh owing to persecution by the Myanmar military rulers.
Bangladesh should also make it clear that if any of its nationals is found stranded in the territory of other states it will take back those, subject to confirmation of the identity.
I have been advocating for a long time for a national strategy for Bangladesh to deal with the Rohingya issue. There is a dire need for a national legal framework to deal with the refugee issue, including the Rohingyas.
The people in the ministries concerned should understand that adopting a law does not mean 'inviting refugees.' Rather, it would be an instrument to deal with the problem effectively and justifiably.
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