BANGLADESH INSTITUTE OF INTERNATIONAL AND STRATEGIC STUDIES

The Repatriation of Rohingyas from Bangladesh to Myanmar: Operational and Tactical Level Challenges   Core Team: Abu Salah Md Yousuf, Research Director Nahian Reza Sabriet, Research Officer   Current Status: Data Collection Stage   Political level negotiation is a vital part of repatriation process of any forcibly displaced community. The 2017 Rohingya exodus from Myanmar was the largest and most severe in the history of the displacement and genocide of the Rohingyas. In the case of the 1978 and 1991 exodus, political level decision-making between Bangladesh and Myanmar facilitated the repatriation process. Therefore, it is time to acknowledge the importance of continuity of the negotiation process. This time, the political and field level challenges are multi-dimensional, and the internal scenario of Myanmar are also more complex. Unless cohesive precautionary measures are taken this time, these challenges may also interrupt all the diplomatic and strategic efforts taken by the Government of Bangladesh (GoB) and the international community. In this respect, a research project identifying the field level challenges and focusing the responsibilities of the different stakeholders would be helpful to facilitate the repatriation process.    The project will outline comprehensive policy options to complement initiatives at the political to ensure safe, dignified and voluntary repatriation of the Rohingyas and provide them with their right to return to their homeland. The study is based on the human security perspective to address the plight of the Rohingyas, which is vital to make the Rohingyas confident about their future. At the same time, it will also help the GOB in categorising the expanse of the task to expedite the repatriation process and fortify the smooth functionality of diplomatic efforts among the stakeholders.