By: Camp Correspondent
March 27, 2025
Nobel Peace Laureate and Chief Adviser of Bangladesh’s interim government, Dr. Muhammad Yunus, has urged Asian leaders to take collective action to ensure the safe, dignified, and rights-based repatriation of Rohingya refugees to their homeland in Myanmar. Speaking at the Boao Forum for Asia (BFA) in Hainan, China, Dr. Yunus emphasized that the Rohingya crisis is a regional humanitarian and political issue—not solely a burden for Bangladesh.
Rohingya Crisis: A Regional Responsibility
Dr. Yunus reminded the audience that Bangladesh has been hosting over 1.2 million Rohingya refugees for the past seven years. The displaced community, forced to flee genocide and persecution in Myanmar, remains in limbo—without citizenship, justice, or a path to return.
“Bangladesh has made enormous sacrifices, but we cannot shoulder this responsibility alone,” Dr. Yunus stated. “Asian leaders must work together to ensure that Myanmar creates conditions for voluntary, safe, and dignified return—not merely relocate Rohingya, but restore their rights and dignity.”
He emphasized that regional peace and stability cannot be achieved if Myanmar continues to deny justice and protection to the Rohingya population.
Conflict in Myanmar Undermining Regional Peace
Dr. Yunus drew parallels between the Rohingya crisis and other unresolved conflicts, including Gaza and Ukraine, warning that protracted wars and impunity destabilize entire regions.
“Whether in Myanmar or Palestine, the denial of justice breeds long-term instability. These are not only political or religious issues—they are humanitarian failures,” he said.
He cautioned that Myanmar’s internal conflict, particularly in Arakan (Rakhine) State, has cross-border consequences, including refugee outflows, trafficking, and disruption of trade and security across South and Southeast Asia.
Youth and Women: Pillars of Asia’s Future
Highlighting Asia’s demographic strength, Dr. Yunus urged countries to invest in youth and women—two underutilized pillars of innovation and development. He emphasized the importance of equipping young people with the tools to shape Asia’s future through education, entrepreneurship, and technology.
He also criticized persistent gender inequality in leadership and economic participation, calling for structural changes to ensure women’s full contribution to society.
“We must move beyond tokenism. Real development means real inclusion,” he noted.
Asia’s Diversity as a Strength
Dr. Yunus underscored the spiritual and cultural depth of the region—shaped by Islam, Buddhism, Confucianism, Hinduism, and indigenous traditions—as a source of strength.
“Asia has thrived on diversity. If we embrace it rather than fear it, we can build a more united and resilient future,” he said.
Urgent Call to Action on Rohingya Repatriation
As Bangladesh prepares to co-host a UN high-level conference on the Rohingya crisis later this year, Dr. Yunus’s remarks set the tone for renewed international pressure on Myanmar. He stressed that no repatriation should take place without restoration of citizenship, security guarantees, and international oversight.
Forum Attended by Regional Leaders
The Boao Forum was attended by key global and regional figures, including Zhang Jun (BFA Secretary-General), former UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, and China’s Deputy Prime Minister Ding Xuexiang. Discussions focused on peace, development, and collective regional strategies.
In his closing remarks, Dr. Yunus reiterated:
“We must not allow the Rohingya crisis to be forgotten. It is a test of our shared humanity and our commitment to peace in Asia.”
