Civil society leaders and humanitarian experts have stressed the critical need to protect and support the Rohingya community in Bangladesh and beyond until their safe and voluntary repatriation to Myanmar.
They urged governments and humanitarian actors to strengthen rights for the Rohingya, including access to higher education, income-generating activities, travel passes, bank accounts, and the construction of prefabricated shelters.
The call was made during an international seminar organised by the COAST Foundation and Cox’s Bazar CSO-NGO Forum (CCNF) at the Asia-Pacific Regional Humanitarian Partnership Week (RHPW) 2024 in Bangkok.
The seminar, titled "Rohingya Community Rights and Mobilizing Civil Society in the Asia-Pacific for a Durable Solution," featured a hybrid format with over 100 participants from across the Asia-Pacific and beyond. Rezaul Karim Chowdhury, Executive Director of COAST Foundation, moderated the event with a keynote presentation by Md. Iqbal Uddin, Joint Director-MEAL and Research of COAST Foundation.
Distinguish speakers also include Hafsar Tamizuddin from Asia-pacific Refugee Rights Network; Nay San Lwin from Free Rohingya Coalition; Htet Swe from Peace Point Mayamar; Mihir R Bhat from All India Disaster Management Institute; Gawher Nayeem Wahra as an independent Refugee Expert and UNHCR Asia Regional Office representative.
Keynote speaker Md. Iqbal Uddin emphasized that the root of the Rohingya crisis lies in Myanmar, where their citizenship was revoked in 1982. "The World Bank's loan to Bangladesh for Rohingya and host community response sets a negative precedent for humanitarian efforts," he cautioned. Other speakers highlighted the urgent need for regional and global action.
Hafsar Tamizuddin from the Asia-Pacific Refugee Rights Network called for ASEAN countries to accept Rohingya as refugees and provide access to education and basic facilities.
Nay San Lwin from the Free Rohingya Coalition stressed the importance of holding the Myanmar Junta accountable and initiating a repatriation process. Htet Swe said Bangladesh government to recognise the refugee rights of the Rohingya community, and the agencies should ensure their safe migration. Mihir R Bhat said inhumanity cannot be continued.
Rohingya should be welcomed and we need to be united for that and strengthen support for the Rohingya community. Gawher Nayeem Wahra questioned why the governments are not giving them refugee status. We need a road map for Rohingya repatriation. We also need to purchase items from local producers, not import, he added.
The UNHCR Bangkok representative underscored that a durable solution lies in a political settlement and the creation of safe conditions for voluntary repatriation.
