EU and 15 countries pledge support for Rohingya repatriation
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The United Kingdom, Canada, France, Germany and 11 other countries along with the European Union have pledged to stand by Bangladesh in creating conditions for the safe, voluntary, dignified and sustainable repatriation of Rohingyas from Myanmar.
The commitment was made in a statement posted Tuesday on the verified Facebook page of the Embassy of Japan in Dhaka on the ninth anniversary of Rohingya refugees seeking shelter in Bangladesh.
The statement said nearly 1.2 million Rohingya refugees who were displaced from Myanmar nine years ago are still living in Bangladesh. Rohingya refugees have the right to return to their homeland in Myanmar. However, as fighting in Rakhine continues to intensify, the humanitarian crisis there is also worsening. Insecurity, airstrikes on civilian infrastructure and restrictions on aid and trade by Myanmar authorities are making the situation even more critical.
Expressing gratitude to the Bangladesh government and people for providing shelter to the Rohingyas, the statement said Bangladesh has been hosting Rohingyas for nearly a decade. Despite displacement and various crises, the people of Bangladesh have continued to show respect for the Rohingya community.
Ongoing instability is causing further displacement in Bangladesh and across the region. Rohingyas are also losing their lives while attempting to cross dangerous sea routes, the statement said.
The countries said the current situation is not suitable for the voluntary, safe, dignified and sustainable repatriation of Rohingyas. Creating conditions for repatriation requires long term, coordinated and strategic efforts to address the root causes of displacement, build trust among communities and establish peace and stability in Myanmar.
The statement also emphasized providing Rohingyas with opportunities for education and skills development so they can return to Rakhine in Myanmar and rebuild their homes, livelihoods and communities.
The statement said the countries concerned will continue working with Bangladesh to create conditions suitable for repatriation. Until then, they also pledged to continue supporting Rohingyas taking shelter in Bangladesh and the local communities hosting them. At the same time, they said efforts to increase the self-reliance of Rohingyas should be prioritized.
The statement said how humanitarian assistance is being provided to address the Rohingya crisis is also important. It supported efforts to strengthen local leadership and increase the role of Bangladeshi and refugee led organizations in planning and implementing aid programs.
The countries called for Rohingyas to have a central role in decisions affecting their lives and future.
The statement further said that even as the crisis enters its 10th year, the Rohingya community must not be forgotten. The countries said they will continue working with Bangladesh and international partners to amplify the voices of Rohingyas, ensure justice and accountability and maintain international support.
The countries that signed the statement are Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Kosovo, the Netherlands, Norway, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and the United Kingdom.
45,000 refugees per square kilometer
After Bangladesh opened its border on humanitarian grounds on August 25, 2017, around 750,000 Rohingya refugees arrived in Cox's Bazar within a few months. They found shelter in houses made of bamboo, rope and tarpaulin in the hilly areas of Teknaf and Ukhia.
Ukhia became the world's largest refugee camp. Around 45,000 refugees live in each square kilometer of the area.
Another 150,000 Rohingya refugees have taken shelter in Bangladesh since 2024 following ethnic conflict in Rakhine. Around 30,000 newborn children are being added every year. The number of Rohingyas in Cox's Bazar now exceeds 1.3 million including both new and old arrivals.
