By: Camp Correspondent
May 8, 2025 | Cox’s Bazar
Rohingya leaders and civil society members in Cox’s Bazar have rejected the proposed humanitarian corridor into Myanmar’s Rakhine State, calling instead for the immediate creation of a UN-supervised safe zone to ensure long-term protection and dignified return for the Rohingya population.
“We do not feel safe under either the Myanmar military or the Arakan Army (AA),” said one community leader. “Unless a safe zone is monitored and enforced by the United Nations, any so-called ‘corridor’ will only expose us to further danger.”
Corridor Proposal Lacks Trust, Rights Guarantees
The call comes amid recent discussions about opening a humanitarian corridor to deliver aid into conflict-hit Rakhine, where food insecurity, displacement, and violence are worsening daily. The United Nations has reportedly asked Bangladesh to support this initiative, but Rohingya community representatives are alarmed that the corridor plan was introduced without consultation, consent, or clear protections.
They argue that both the Myanmar junta and the Arakan Army have long histories of persecuting Rohingya. While the junta orchestrated the 2017 genocide, the AA is now accused of burning villages, seizing land, and displacing Rohingya civilians under the guise of military control.
“A corridor without protection means more camps, more marginalization, and no justice,” said a civil society member based in Ukhia. “We cannot be repackaged as aid recipients while our rights are ignored.”
Confusion Within Bangladesh’s Own Policy Circles
The corridor debate became more complicated following conflicting statements from Bangladeshi officials. On April 27, Foreign Affairs Adviser Md Touhid Hossain publicly announced that Bangladesh had agreed “in principle” to the UN-proposed corridor. But days later, National Security Adviser Dr. Khalilur Rahman denied any such agreement, adding that “no official policy decision has been finalized.”
This lack of clarity has triggered frustration among refugees, aid agencies, and human rights groups, who worry that hasty decisions could have serious implications for repatriation, safety, and political recognition.
A Safe Zone, Not a Short-Term Corridor
Rohingya leaders say that the only viable solution is a safe zone inside Rakhine, under international supervision, where Rohingya refugees can return voluntarily, safely, and with full rights.
They warn that without addressing core issues—citizenship, accountability for atrocities, and political inclusion—humanitarian efforts alone will fail.
“We are not just aid beneficiaries. We are a people with a homeland, with rights, with a history,” said a Rohingya youth activist. “We will not return to another version of oppression.”
Conclusion: Safety and Representation Must Come First
As the Arakan Army expands its control across Rakhine and the civil war intensifies, the Rohingya community urges the international community not to repeat past mistakes.
“No corridor without protection. No return without justice. No peace without inclusion,” reads a statement from Rohingya grassroots leaders in Cox’s Bazar.
Until a UN-enforced safe zone is established and Rohingya representation is guaranteed, any interim proposal—however well-intentioned—risks perpetuating statelessness and deepening the humanitarian crisis.
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