Ensuring security and shifting of Rohingya refugees

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Swadesh Roy
Published : 18:04, Sep 23, 2019 | Updated : 18:13, Sep 23, 2019

Swadesh RoyThe government of Bangladesh realizes that the Rohingya refugee repatriation is impossible overnight. But almost two years have passed since the Rohingya influx happened in 2017 when the whole world applauded the Prime Minister of Bangladesh. Many European media houses called her the ‘Mother of Humanity', but she deserves more. She saved hundreds of thousands of lives and saved hundreds of thousands of women from being raped by the Myanmar Army. In this 21st century, nobody in the world has done so much for humanity.
The people of Bangladesh thought that world humanity and the civil societies would raise their voice for the Rohingya repatriation and condemn the Myanmar soldiers and authorities. It did not happen. It seems the voice of the civil society in today's world is not very strong for humanity.
Further, civil societies are now obsessed by religion, race, colour, and other issues like common people. Rohingyas are Muslims by religion. Most people in the West and or East think Muslims are 'fundamentalist'; they are not broad or liberal. Terrorism and hate culture exists in many societies regardless of religion. But not all the people of those societies, pursuing different religions believe in terrorism and hate culture.

Given this context, we cannot treat all the Rohingya refugees as a terrorist. If we think all Muslims are terrorists, it would be dogmatic thinking. There are many poets, novelists, scientists, human right workers, and liberal professors among Muslims all around the world.

Rohingya refugees gather to mark the second anniversary of the exodus at the Kutupalong camp in Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh, August 25, 2019. REUTERSThe Rohingya refugees, staying in the camps of Bangladesh, told the Ambassador of China in Bangladesh that the militant Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army (ARSA) was not barring the refugees from returning to their homeland. It is clear that the average Rohingyas, like any other common people in any part of the world, have no connection with ARSA.

These Rohingyas are struggling in the camp, while the government of Bangladesh is trying their level best to help them. They are living more or less of a good life. We know that 6.5 million people all over the world, including Rohingyas, are leading a hard life as refugees. Some people and some groups always try to play mischief using their helpless condition. Since last month, these people and groups have been trying to do unfair politics taking advantage of Rohingya refugees.

The Prime Minister and the people of Bangladesh sheltered them on humanitarian grounds. Bangladesh government will not tolerate any kind of politics using these Rohingya refugees; it doesn't mean that Bangladesh government will interfere with the internal matter of Myanmar. The nationality and even the security of these refugees are the responsibility of the Myanmar government and the United Nations.

Bangladesh authorities will talk to Myanmar on the repatriation of their people and will try to make it possible at the earliest. But trespassing into the Rohingya camp, a group of people arranged a rally and gave five conditions to Bangladesh government for their repatriation. It was totally illegal. The people, who did it, should face trial under the criminal law of the country. However, after this rally, we have noticed that the authorities are much concerned about it. They have already increased the surveillance and decided to make a strong fence around the camp.

This photo, collected from project official Atikul Islam’s Facebook page, shows the housing project under construction at Bhasan char.Along with fence, now, the government will relocate some of the refugees in Bhashan Char, at the estuary of the Meghna River. The Prime Minister of Bangladesh said in a press conference that some Non-Government Organizations and donor groups were creating obstacles regarding the shifting of Rohingya refugees to the Bhashan Char.

No authority can be more powerful than a sovereign government. Bangladesh government is not the only sovereign; it's Prime Minister is Sheikh Hasina, is considered to be one of the most powerful leaders in the world. So, after that rally on 25th August in Rohingya camp and the illegal movement of some people and NGO's, the government has no time to lose. This type of helpless people can be used for any mischief. Therefore, ensuring the security of the Rohingya refugee camp and shifting a part of them to Bhashan Char has to be done immediately.

A state award-winning journalist, Swadesh Roy can be reached at [email protected].

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***The opinions, beliefs and viewpoints expressed in this article are those of the author and do not reflect the opinions and views of Bangla Tribune.
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