by Hafizur Rahman
Dhaka, Bangladesh | June 17, 2026
The return of Rohingya refugees to Myanmar will depend on security conditions in Rakhine State, international support, and cooperation from Myanmar authorities, Bangladesh’s Foreign Minister Dr. Khalilur Rahman said on Wednesday.
Speaking during a parliamentary budget session, the Foreign Minister said ongoing conflict and instability in Rakhine State continue to prevent the safe return of Rohingya refugees.
According to Dr. Khalilur Rahman, international law prohibits the forced return of refugees to unsafe conditions. He said Bangladesh remains committed to ensuring that any repatriation process is safe, voluntary, and dignified.
“The government is prepared to begin repatriation when conditions become favorable,” he said, adding that no specific timeline has been set.
The Foreign Minister also said Bangladesh is encouraging dialogue between Myanmar authorities and the Arakan Army in an effort to help restore peace and stability in Rakhine State, which he described as essential for creating conditions for return.
Addressing the refugee situation in Bangladesh, he said the country is currently hosting 1,189,213 Rohingya refugees. Information on 829,336 refugees has already been shared with Myanmar for verification as part of the repatriation process.
Dr. Khalilur Rahman also highlighted security conditions in the refugee camps, saying government monitoring and special operations had contributed to a decline in serious crimes. According to official figures, murder cases in the camps decreased from 66 in 2023 to 49 in 2024 and 35 in 2025. Six murder cases were reported during the first three months of 2026.
On humanitarian funding, he said aid agencies requested US$910.5 million under the 2026 Joint Response Plan to support Rohingya refugees and host communities. So far, approximately US$291 million has been received.
The Foreign Minister reiterated that the long-term solution to the Rohingya crisis lies in the safe, voluntary, and dignified return of Rohingya refugees to their homeland in Myanmar. He said Bangladesh would continue diplomatic efforts with support from the international community to achieve that goal.
