The Rohingya Crisis: Contemporary Security Dimensions and Future of Repatriation Process

Bangladesh Institute of International and Strategic Studies (BIISS) organised a seminar on “The Rohingya Crisis: Contemporary Security Dimensions and Future of Repatriation Process” on Wednesday, 15 November 2023, at the BIISS Auditorium. H E Ambassador Masud Bin Momen, Foreign Secretary (Senior Secretary), Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh, graced the seminar as the Chief Guest. Major General Sheikh Pasha Habib Uddin, OSP, SGP, BAMS, afwc, psc, Director General, BIISS, delivered the welcome address and Ambassador A F M Gousal Azam Sarker, Chairman, BIISS, presided over the seminar. In his welcome address, Major General Sheikh Pasha Habib Uddin, OSP, SGP, BAMS, afwc, psc, mentioned that the displacement of the Rohingyas has not only caused immeasurable human suffering but also accelerated regional instability and insecurity. He then underscored the security issues like arms trafficking, drug smuggling, and the rising risks of increased radicalisation among the Rohingya people. He drew attention to the fact that different global events such as the war in Ukraine, the conflict in Palestine, and the great power competition in the Indo-Pacific region are putting the Rohingya crisis out of sight from the international community. He emphasised the need for a strong commitment from all stakeholders involved, including the governments of Myanmar, Bangladesh, and the international community to ensure a peaceful and durable repatriation of the Rohingyas. Three presentations were made in the seminar. Md Jahan Shoieb, Research Fellow, BIISS, delivered a presentation titled “The Rohingya Crisis: An Overview”; Major General (Retd) Md Nayeem Ashfaque Chowdhury, SBP, OSP, SUP, psc, presented on “The Rohingya Crisis: The Contemporary Security Dimensions”; and Professor Imtiaz A Hussain, PhD, Department of Global Studies and Governance, Independent University, Bangladesh (IUB) made his presentation on “Rohingya Crisis: Future of Repatriation Process”. These were followed by an open discussion session. The Chief Guest of the seminar, H E Ambassador Masud Bin Momen, Foreign Secretary (Senior Secretary), Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh, stated that the Rohingya influx followed by their presence and subsequent events have been creating multifarious security threats for Bangladesh. The environment and health, e.g., have been the areas of apprehension due to Rohingya infiltration. He commented that the Rohingyas are citizens of Myanmar and, therefore, successful repatriation to Myanmar is the only practical option to solve this longstanding humanitarian catastrophe. He also remarked that this is not just a humanitarian crisis; rather, it is a security concern that demands a collective, comprehensive, and collaborative response from the regional and international community. In concluding remarks, the Session Chair Ambassador A F M Gousal Azam Sarker, Chairman, BIISS, commented that the Rohingya crisis has captivated the world’s attention and also left an indelible mark on collective conscience. Therefore, the solution to the crisis demands upholding of the principles of justice, dignity, and the inalienable rights of every individual. He opined that the discussion organised by BIISS has shed light on the evolving security dimensions of the Rohingya crisis and explored ways and means of a solution to the Rohingya problem. Finally, he thanked all the distinguished paper presenters and participants of the seminar. Senior officials from different ministries, diplomats from Embassies and High Commissions, former diplomats, senior military officials, media, researchers, academics and students from various universities, and representatives from different think tanks and international organisations participated in the seminar and enriched it by presenting their valuable opinions, comments, suggestions, and observations during the open discussion session.