By: Camp Correspondent
April 4, 2025
In what could mark a turning point in the long-standing Rohingya refugee crisis, Myanmar has officially confirmed that 180,000 Rohingyas currently living in Bangladesh refugee camps are eligible for repatriation. The announcement came during a high-level bilateral meeting on the sidelines of the 6th BIMSTEC Summit in Bangkok.
Myanmar’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, U Than Shwe, conveyed the information to Dr. Khalilur Rahman, High Representative of the Chief Adviser of Bangladesh. The verified names are part of a list of over 800,000 Rohingya refugees submitted by Bangladesh to Myanmar between 2018 and 2020 in six separate batches.
Myanmar authorities also stated that an additional 70,000 names are undergoing final verification, with biometric data and photographs currently under review. They further assured that the remaining 550,000 individuals would be processed “expeditiously.”
First Formal Confirmation in Years
This is the first time Myanmar has officially acknowledged a verified list of Rohingya refugees deemed eligible for return since the mass exodus triggered by the 2017 military crackdown. The operation, described by the UN as a “textbook example of ethnic cleansing,” forced over 700,000 Rohingyas to flee from Arakan (Rakhine State) to Bangladesh.
The latest announcement has sparked cautious optimism, although Rohingya leaders and international rights groups continue to emphasize that any repatriation process must be voluntary, safe, and dignified. It must also include concrete guarantees of citizenship, freedom of movement, and protection from persecution.
Bangladesh Offers Earthquake Support
During the meeting, Dr. Khalilur Rahman also extended Bangladesh’s condolences to Myanmar following the deadly March 28 earthquake that killed hundreds. He offered humanitarian assistance to support those affected by the disaster.
Rohingya Perspective: Trust Must Be Rebuilt
While the announcement is seen as a diplomatic step forward, many Rohingya refugees remain skeptical, citing previous failed repatriation attempts and continued military violence in Arakan State. Community voices from the camps stress that repatriation without guaranteed rights is not a solution.
“If we are not recognized as citizens, and if our safety cannot be ensured, how can we return?” asked one Rohingya refugee leader in Cox’s Bazar.
The Rohingya community continues to call for the restoration of full citizenship rights under the 1982 Citizenship Law, the rebuilding of their original villages, justice for atrocities, and international monitoring of any repatriation efforts.
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