KALADAN PRESS NETWORK

Editorial

The Independent, Dhaka

June 5 2002

Return of Rohingyas

The repatriation of the remaining Rohingyas from the

soil of Bangladesh is likely to take place very soon,

thanks to a well-concerted move by the governments of

the two countries, Bangladesh and Myanmar. A

government handout says that the Foreign Secretary

will pay a visit to Myanmar soon to discuss the issue

with the authorities in that country so that all goes

according to plan while actual repatriation process

begins. It is heartening that both the governments are

going to synchronise steps to the effect that total

repatriation can be completed by June 2003, and we

believe it is good thinking that the border guards

have been alerted to check influx of new batch of

refugees into Bangladesh through the permanent

borders.

Because of some socio-political troubles across the

borders a large number of Muslim Rohingyas had crossed

over to Bangladesh from the bordering Arakan state of

Myanmar in 1991 and since then have been living the

life of refugees in various camps in and around Cox’s

Bazar. Through some successful negotiations with the

Myanmar authorities, it was possible to send back most

of the refugees but a sizeable number had to stay back

as the process stopped for various reasons.

We believe this latest development will be viewed as a

boon by the remaining Rohingya refugees who have been

living amidst multitudinous misery and suffering in

the host country that itself is not affluent enough to

bear the burden for long. Displacement from their own

homestead for any reason and to be forced to live on

foreign soil on the mercy of other fellow humans is a

predicament of the worst kind as it robs the people of

their basic rights and dignity.

We hope the Rohingyas will be able to go home soon and

start afresh their life as the rightful citizens of

Myanmar.