Stability in Arakan is Key to Rohingya Repatriation, Says Bangladesh Foreign Minister

Foreign Minister Khalilur Rahman told parliament that resolving the Rohingya crisis depends on establishing security in Myanmar's Arakan State, as Bangladesh works to facilitate dialogue between the Myanmar military and the Arakan Army while pushing for safe, voluntary, and sustainable repatriation.

Photo Source: Collected

DHAKA, Bangladesh: Foreign Minister Khalilur Rahman said on Wednesday that the government is actively working to facilitate dialogue between Myanmar authorities and the Arakan Army to help restore stability in Rakhine State, describing it as a necessary condition before the safe return of Rohingya refugees can begin.

Speaking in parliament in response to a question from MP Shahjahan Chowdhury, Rahman described Rohingya repatriation as a "complex, sensitive, and multidimensional international issue" that depends on three key factors: security in Rakhine State, sustained international pressure, and the willingness of Myanmar authorities to cooperate.

"Since conflict and armed violence have persisted in Rakhine for many years, repatriation cannot be imposed or carried out under unsafe conditions in line with international law," he said. "However, our government believes dialogue is essential for creating stability, and we are working toward that goal."

He added that preparations are in their final stages to ensure safe and sustainable repatriation can begin when conditions permit. While he offered no specific timeline, he reaffirmed the government's commitment to the permanent, voluntary, and secure return of Rohingya Muslims through a carefully planned process.

Criticism of the Previous Government

Rahman criticised the previous Awami League government's approach, saying it had focused primarily on highlighting the humanitarian dimensions of the crisis to secure donor funding rather than pursuing a lasting political solution. He said this approach gradually shifted international attention away from resolving the crisis, thereby prolonging it.

Renewed International Engagement

To restore global attention to the issue, Rahman said the interim government invited United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres to Bangladesh in 2025, during which Guterres visited Rohingya refugee camps in Cox's Bazar. A special stakeholder conference was subsequently held in Cox's Bazar on August 25, 2025, followed by a day-long conference at UN Headquarters in New York on September 30, helping place the Rohingya crisis back at the centre of international humanitarian discussions.

Justice and Accountability

The minister said Bangladesh continues to emphasise justice and accountability in its international engagements and has supported The Gambia's landmark case against Myanmar at the International Court of Justice.

Verification Progress

On the status of identity verification, Rahman said Bangladesh has shared information on 829,036 Rohingyas with Myanmar across six phases. Of those, Myanmar has verified 393,503 individuals and formally recognised 283,086 as former residents of the country. The verification process is ongoing as part of the broader repatriation framework.

The minister acknowledged that third-country resettlement is being considered as an option for some refugees, but stressed it cannot serve as a permanent solution.

"The only durable solution is the safe, voluntary, and sustainable repatriation of Rohingyas to Arakan State," he said.

Bangladesh currently hosts more than one million Rohingya refugees, the vast majority of whom fled Myanmar's military crackdown in Rakhine State in 2017. The refugees live in overcrowded camps in Cox's Bazar, which is widely regarded as the world's largest refugee settlement.