Shama Obayed Warns Against Prolonged Rohingya Stay, Demands Urgent Repatriation
1-Click Audio Report (Universal Voice)
BNP leader Shama Obayed has expressed deep concern over the prolonged stay of Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh, warning that their temporary shelter must not stretch into two decades. She urged the interim government to initiate robust diplomatic efforts on the global stage to ensure their safe and dignified return to Myanmar.
- A warning was issued that failure to initiate Rohingya repatriation promptly will pose a long-term threat to Bangladesh's national security and economy.
- Rising criminal activities in Cox's Bazar camps and declining international aid have significantly intensified pressure on the local administration.
- A strong demand was made for coordinated diplomatic initiatives with the UN, China, and India to exert pressure on Myanmar for repatriation.
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The prolonged stay of the Rohingya population in Bangladesh has emerged as a significant threat to the country's overall security and economy, remarked BNP leader Shama Obayed. She emphasized that Bangladesh cannot indefinitely bear the burden of this massive population, which was initially sheltered on humanitarian grounds. As nearly a decade approaches since the 2017 influx, the stagnation in the repatriation process has fueled growing frustration and anxiety among the local population. She warned that if this situation persists, it will severely impact the nation's sovereignty and social stability.
Currently, over 1.2 million Rohingyas reside in the refugee camps of Ukhiya and Teknaf in Cox's Bazar, causing irreparable damage to the local environment and forest reserves. With international funding declining significantly over the past few years, the major financial burden of sustaining this population now falls on Bangladesh. Furthermore, the rise of drug trafficking, arms smuggling, and violence by internal armed groups within the camps has pushed the law and order situation in the southeastern region to a critical state. Analysts attribute this deadlock to the weak diplomatic strategies of the previous regime, which failed to exert effective international pressure on Myanmar.
To resolve this crisis, Shama Obayed urged the interim government to strengthen bilateral and multilateral diplomatic initiatives. She specifically called for coordinated efforts with the UN, OIC, and regional powers like China and India to pressure the Myanmar military junta. According to the BNP leader, a dignified return to their homeland with guaranteed citizenship rights and security is the only permanent solution to this crisis. Simultaneously, she emphasized the need for law enforcement agencies to maintain strict surveillance within the refugee camps to curb criminal activities.
An analysis by Cholti News indicates that the Rohingya crisis is no longer just a humanitarian issue, but a long-term geopolitical and security challenge for Bangladesh. With global attention shifted toward conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East, Bangladesh must leverage its own diplomatic capabilities to keep the Rohingya issue alive on the world stage. Rather than relying solely on relief aid, the ultimate test for the current administration lies in compelling global leaders to help create a conducive environment for repatriation in Myanmar's Rakhine State.
“Even after seven years of the Rohingya crisis, the stagnation in repatriation highlights a major limitation of Bangladesh's foreign policy. The interim government must move beyond conventional diplomacy and engage regional powers to exert real pressure on Myanmar, or this crisis will remain a permanent threat to domestic security.”
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