Dhaka, September 17, 2025: Political representatives from across the spectrum in Bangladesh took part in a national dialogue on Wednesday, stressing the urgency of safe repatriation of Rohingya and calling for stronger international and regional engagement. The session was held as part of the dialogue “Amplifying the Rohingya Voices and Aspirations: A Strategic Dialogue Ahead of UNGA 2025” organized by Neeti Gobeshona Kendra at CIRDAP, Dhaka.
ARNA Calls It a Political Problem, Warns of ‘Greater Arakan’
Dr. Salimullah of the Arakan Rohingya National Alliance (ARNA) emphasized that the Rohingya crisis is fundamentally a political problem. “Genocide happened because of politics in Arakan. Without the political problem, there would be no refugee crisis,” he said. He reminded that Rohingya had been warning about genocide 23 years ago, when the world dismissed it, but now the recognition is global.
He noted that four armed groups in Arakan remain united against the Rohingya, while the Rohingya political party is inactive and internal divisions persist. He urged Bangladesh’s elected parties to form a special parliamentary committee on Rohingya issues. Warning about extremist rhetoric inside Myanmar, he said:
“A Rakhine general openly said Rohingya should be treated like Israel treats Palestinians. The Arakan Army’s aim of ‘Greater Arakan’ even includes Bangladesh’s Chittagong Hill Tracts. Bangladesh must safeguard its sovereignty.”
Awami League: Repatriation Must Start Immediately
Helal Uddin Ahmed of the Awami League said his party would work closely with the government to ensure Rohingya repatriation: “We must start the repatriation process immediately. But before that, Myanmar’s internal political situation must be stabilized. Without that, repatriation will not succeed.”
BNP Highlights Historical Responsibility and Democratic Preconditions
BNP leader Shama Obaid described the suffering of Rohingya as something unimaginable from outside: “What the Rohingya are enduring cannot be understood sitting in an air-conditioned room. BNP has always been sensitive to the issue and believes in repatriation. During Ziaur Rahman and Khaleda Zia’s time, Bangladesh managed repatriation.”
She thanked Dr. Yunus for bringing the Rohingya issue back into focus and argued that without a democratically elected government in Bangladesh, a durable solution would be impossible. She also stressed the need for negotiations with China and India to make repatriation happen and called for attention to the new generation’s problems in education, housing, and healthcare.
BNP Chairperson’s Adviser Zia Uddin Haider added that Rohingya are not just a “problem” but a global issue: “Rohingya are global citizens. Their responsibility lies with everyone, not only Bangladesh. The world must share the responsibility and provide funds.”
Jamaat-e-Islami: A Humanitarian and Security Urgency
Ehsanul Mahbub Zobair of Jamaat-e-Islami said the Rohingya population is heading towards 1.5 million, calling it the second-largest ethnic cleansing after Palestine. “This must be solved urgently. Otherwise, the young generation of Rohingya may turn dangerous for Bangladesh,” he cautioned. He emphasized safe and dignified repatriation, urging China and India to take responsibility while Bangladesh must lead in convening dialogue. “Jamaat will provide full cooperation,” he declared.
NCP Stresses International Rights Discourse
Sujau Uddin of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) said Bangladesh should take the initiative internationally to push for Rohingya rights at the global level, beyond humanitarian aid alone.
Voices from the Rohingya Community
Rohingya student Khairul Amin gave a personal testimony of survival and loss. He recalled witnessing the killing of 300 people in front of him during the genocide, and how attackers later seized 400 of his family’s livestock after failing to find his father. “We don’t want another genocide. We want justice this time,” he said. He demanded immediate repatriation, expressing his determination to return to his homeland despite the risks.
Consensus and Divergence
While approaches differed, from calls for special parliamentary committees to appeals for stronger international alliances, the dialogue revealed a broad consensus: repatriation must begin soon, Myanmar must be held accountable, and Rohingya must be ensured dignity, rights, and justice.
