Five Months After Guterres’ Visit, Rohingya Repatriation Stalls Amid Myanmar’s Refusal to Cooperate

By Hafizur Rahman

Cox’s Bazar | August 5, 2025
Nearly five months after UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres visited the Rohingya refugee camps in Bangladesh and pledged to jumpstart the long-delayed repatriation process, no meaningful progress has been made. What began as renewed hope during his March visit has since been overshadowed by Myanmar’s outright intransigence and the ineffectiveness of international pressure.

Instead of facilitating returns, the Myanmar junta has continued pushing Rohingya refugees into Bangladesh, further straining the country’s already overburdened infrastructure and resources.

Bangladesh Struggles as Pressure Mounts

Officials from the Finance Ministry and the Ministry of Home Affairs have admitted that the interim government is facing growing challenges—both financial and logistical—in hosting the displaced Rohingya population. The World Bank has sought updates on repatriation efforts, but the absence of concrete progress has raised concerns that no near-term solution is in sight.

To revive stalled efforts, an international conference on the Rohingya crisis will be held on August 25 in Cox’s Bazar, bringing together diplomats, UN representatives, and global stakeholders to intensify pressure on Myanmar. Chief Adviser Dr. Muhammad Yunus will inaugurate the event. A follow-up special session on refugees and ethnic minorities—with a strong focus on the Rohingya crisis—is scheduled at the UN headquarters in New York on September 30, where Bangladesh is expected to reiterate the urgency for repatriation.

Guterres’ Assurances Now in Question

During his March visit, Guterres emphasized both the Rohingya refugees’ desire to return home and the urgent need for improved living conditions within the camps. Encouraged by these assurances, Dhaka anticipated early negotiations with Myanmar. But officials now admit there has been no tangible breakthrough.

“We remain in contact with the concerned countries and agencies, including Myanmar, but the lack of international pressure on Myanmar has delayed the process,” said Mohammad Mizanur Rahman, Refugee Relief and Repatriation Commissioner.

Disputes Over Humanitarian Corridors and Third-Country Options

Attempts to create a humanitarian corridor have faced fierce resistance from both the Myanmar junta and some local communities in Bangladesh. Meanwhile, UNHCR’s proposal for relocating Rohingya to a third-party safe zone—backed by the United States—has further complicated matters, with no sign of imminent implementation.

Criticism of UN’s Ineffectiveness

Zahid Hussain, former chief economist of the World Bank’s Dhaka office, expressed frustration over the UN’s limited impact.

“The UN should play a more significant role, but it has shown itself to be ineffective. The Rohingya crisis remains unresolved due to a lack of action,” he said.

A Humanitarian Crisis with No Exit Strategy

With repatriation stalled, Myanmar refusing to cooperate, and global diplomacy faltering, Bangladesh continues to bear the economic and diplomatic weight of hosting over one million Rohingya refugees. Observers warn that without decisive international intervention, this crisis—already among the world’s most protracted humanitarian disasters—may continue indefinitely.