by Hafizur Rahman
25 September 2025 — A new United Nations report warns that the safe and dignified return of Rohingya refugees to Myanmar will remain impossible without a political resolution to the crisis. The study cautions that humanitarian aid alone cannot address the root causes and highlights widespread Rohingya fears of repatriation under the control of the Arakan Army (AA).
The report, titled “Rohingya Perspectives on Pathways to a Safe, Dignified and Peaceful Future,” was prepared by the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) following in-depth interviews with 125 Rohingya refugees in Cox’s Bazar. Its release comes just ahead of a high-level UN General Assembly discussion on Myanmar’s ethnic issues.
Demands from Rohingya voices
According to the findings, Rohingya participants insisted that any repatriation roadmap must include educated community representatives at the decision-making table. They called for international pressure from the UN, regional powers, and the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) to secure accountability and binding guarantees from Myanmar.
Refugees demanded full citizenship, recognition of their ethnic identity, equal rights, education, religious freedom, livelihood opportunities, and freedom of movement. Many further highlighted the need for land restoration, compensation, and justice for crimes committed against them, as well as the establishment of a UN peacekeeping presence or safe zone in northern Rakhine State.
Fear of Arakan Army and Myanmar junta
The report revealed that more than 70 percent of respondents feared the Arakan Army, accusing it of seeking to erase the Rohingya identity. Refugees said returning under AA control could expose them to forced labour, religious persecution, arbitrary arrests, and restrictions on women and girls.
An overwhelming 95 percent of participants also rejected the prospect of repatriation under Myanmar’s military junta, stressing that safe return is impossible so long as the army retains power.
Leadership crisis within the community
The study identified a serious crisis of leadership among Rohingya. Nearly half of those interviewed said there is no effective leadership representing their community, while many expressed deep mistrust of both camp-based majhis and diaspora leaders, accusing them of corruption and self-interest. More than 60 percent of women reported uncertainty over who, if anyone, speaks on behalf of the Rohingya people.
Challenges in Bangladesh camps
The report also documented worsening hardships inside Bangladesh’s refugee camps, including food shortages, inadequate healthcare, limited education, and insecurity. Young refugees in particular underscored the importance of access to education and livelihoods as central to preserving dignity and preparing the next generation for leadership roles.
International call to action
The OHCHR urged the global community to monitor abuses by the Arakan Army, link Rohingya persecution with Myanmar’s wider pro-democracy struggle, and invest in Rohingya youth and civil society. It also called for expanding higher education opportunities and ensuring reparations — including land return — as part of any repatriation plan.
The report concludes that without justice, full citizenship, and international guarantees, Rohingya refugees will not accept a return to Myanmar.
