Bangladesh’s refugee commissioner says allegations against individuals should not be used to prevent their return to Myanmar.
by Hafizur Rahman
COX’S BAZAR, 15 August 2026: Myanmar’s military junta has classified 4,241 Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh as people allegedly involved in what it calls “terrorist activities,” while Bangladesh has rejected the classification as a barrier to their return.
The junta’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs disclosed the figure as part of an update on its verification of Rohingya refugees submitted by Bangladesh for possible repatriation.
Bangladesh had provided Myanmar with a list containing 828,824 names. By the end of July, the junta said it had examined 426,545 cases.
According to the junta’s Foreign Ministry, 308,797 people were verified as former residents of Rakhine State, while 113,507 could not be verified. Another 4,241 were classified by the junta as having been involved in what it described as “terrorist activities.”
The ministry did not publicly provide evidence supporting the allegations against the 4,241 individuals or explain what criteria were used to place them in the category.
The junta said it would continue discussions with Bangladesh over the return of verified former residents once security conditions in Rakhine State become more stable.
Bangladesh Says Allegations Should Not Block Return
Bangladesh’s Refugee Relief and Repatriation Commissioner, Mohammed Mizanur Rahman, said the junta’s classification should not prevent the individuals from returning to Myanmar.
He said that even if Myanmar authorities have criminal allegations or pending cases against particular individuals, those issues should be addressed through legal processes after their return rather than being used to exclude them from repatriation.
Rahman said the Rohingya are residents of Myanmar and that Myanmar remains responsible for taking them back.
According to the RRRC, Bangladesh originally submitted lists of Rohingya to Myanmar as part of bilateral repatriation efforts beginning in 2018.
The junta later divided those whose information it reviewed into different categories, including people it recognised as former residents, those it said could not be verified and individuals it associated with alleged security offences.
Questions Over Evidence and Due Process
The junta’s classification raises questions about how the allegations were determined and whether the affected refugees were given any opportunity to challenge the claims.
The Foreign Ministry statement did not identify the 4,241 people, specify the alleged offences, provide evidence against them or explain whether any court had established criminal responsibility.
For Rohingya refugees, such classifications are particularly sensitive because Myanmar has long denied them citizenship and subjected the community to extensive restrictions on movement, residence and legal status.
Previous repatriation efforts have repeatedly stalled as Rohingya refugees demanded citizenship, security, freedom of movement and restoration of basic rights before returning.
Bangladesh has maintained that any repatriation must be voluntary, safe, dignified and sustainable.
The latest disagreement comes as the junta says it is prepared to accept more than 300,000 verified former residents of Rakhine State once security conditions improve, although no timetable has been announced.
Large parts of Rakhine State are now controlled by the Arakan Army, while conflict and displacement continue, leaving major questions over how any large-scale return could be implemented.
