Dear Excellency, Tarique Rahman,
We, the undersigned Rohingya groups in Bangladesh, write to you to express our concerns and hopes regarding the situation of Rohingya refugees currently residing in Bangladesh.
First and foremost, we would like to express our sincere gratitude to the Government of Bangladesh and its people for their generosity and humanitarian leadership in hosting more than one million Rohingya refugees who were forced to flee genocide, persecution, and violence in Myanmar. Bangladesh’s support toward the Rohingya has saved countless lives and continues to protect one of the most vulnerable communities in the world.
Rohingya refugees continue to face many serious challenges in the camps. Limited access to education and livelihood opportunities, security concerns, and the risks of human trafficking and criminal activities continue to affect the dignity and safety of the refugee population.
Excellency, considering these ongoing challenges, we respectfully urge you to consider the following key priorities to ensure the safety, dignity, and well-being of Rohingya refugees as long as they have to stay in Bangladesh:
1. To Facilitate a Secure, Voluntary, and Dignified Repatriation Process
Our ultimate aspiration remains the safe, voluntary, and dignified repatriation of the Rohingya people to our homeland in Myanmar. Such repatriation must guarantee our full safety and security, the restoration of our citizenship, and the exercise of our fundamental human rights. Without these guarantees, a sustainable repatriation process will not be possible. We therefore kindly urge you to take effective diplomatic steps to ensure that these conditions are met before any repatriation initiative.
2. To Safeguard Refugee Rights
Until repatriation becomes possible, Rohingya refugees must be able to live with dignity in Bangladesh. Access to formal and higher education, opportunities, including international study options, and access to livelihood are essential to prevent the emergence of a lost generation and ensure that Rohingya can contribute positively to society.
3. To Ensure a Peaceful and Safe Environment in the Camps
The security inside the camps remains a major concern for the Rohingya. Refugees should be able to live peacefully and safely without fear of violence, intimidation, or criminal or armed violence. We request the government of Bangladesh to take strong measures to prevent violence in the camps and protect refugees.
4. End the Corruption and Abuse of Power
We are concerned about corruption and abuse of power in camp management, which undermines trust and fairness. We request strong monitoring and accountability from authorities, including the Refugee Relief and Repatriation Commissioner, the Armed Police Battalion, the other security agencies, to ensure transparency and proper governance within the camps.
5. Ensure the Protection of Newly Arrived Refugees from Myanmar
There are thousands of newly arrived Rohingya refugees who have not yet been provided with shelter or other basic services. Given the immense hardship they face in their daily lives, we are deeply concerned. We therefore urge you to take the necessary measures to ensure that they are provided with shelter so that they may live with dignity and security.
6. Support Rohingya National Identity and Protection
As Myanmar junta falsely claims the Rohingya to be Bengali, we urge the Government of Bangladesh to strongly reject this claim and defend the truth that the Rohingya are native to Myanmar and rightful citizens.
7. Ensure Repatriation and Third Country Resettlement Pathways
We understand that repatriation is not only a durable solution to our crisis, but that resettlement pathways can also help support Bangladesh in responding to the situation. We urge the government to keep third country pathways open and to call on the United Nations and refugee-welcoming countries to resettle as many refugees as possible.
8. Establishment a Unified and Inclusive Platform
We urge the government to establish a unified and inclusive platform that brings individuals who are actively working for the community together and raise awareness of the needs of the Rohingya community in the camps. Currently, there is no unified platform representing the refugee community, and such an initiative would greatly strengthen coordination, communication, and effective decision-making.
9. Put in Place a New Rohingya Special Advisor
The new government should promptly appoint a successor to Dr. Khalilur Rahman as High Representative for Rohingya Issues, following his transition to a new role. We, the undersigned groups, believe this position is essential to coordinate and strengthen the government’s unified approach to Rohingya refugees.
10. Establish a Comprehensive Foreign Policy on Rohingya Refugees
We, the undersigned groups, urge the government to develop and implement a comprehensive foreign policy on Rohingya refugees. This policy should outline mediumand long-term solutions, including voluntary repatriation, access to legal status, the right to work, and freedom of movement. We further urge the government to meaningfully consult Rohingya refugees in both the drafting and implementation of any such policy.
11. Accountability for Atrocity Crimes
The Government of Bangladesh should continue to support and facilitate unfettered access for international accountability mechanisms and human rights monitors to investigate crimes committed against the Rohingya in Myanmar and Bangladesh. This includes ensuring full access for the International Criminal Court, the legal team of the Government of The Gambia before the International Court of Justice, the Independent Investigative Mechanism for Myanmar, investigations under universal jurisdiction, the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, and other independent human rights monitors and investigators.
We sincerely hope that you and your cabinet will continue to uphold the dignity, rights, and protection of the Rohingya community and work towards our safe and secure future.
