UN Urged to Chart Roadmap for Safe Rohingya Return, Say Refugee Leaders

By Camp Correspondent

Kuala Lumpur, February 23, 2025

Rohingya refugee leaders have called on the United Nations to develop a clear and actionable roadmap for the safe, long-term repatriation of Rohingya refugees to Myanmar.

Having endured years of persecution and prolonged displacement, the Rohingya community stresses that temporary shelter in Bangladesh is not a sustainable solution, and that a dignified return to their ancestral homeland is essential for restoring their rights and security.

During a recent meeting at the UN Secretary-General’s office, Faruk E Azam, an adviser on disaster management and relief, reiterated that the current humanitarian shelter provided to the Rohingya is merely a stopgap measure.

He asserted that “the real solution to the crisis is the safe and sustainable return of the Rohingya to Myanmar.” UN special envoy Julie Bishop also emphasized the need for the UN to prepare a comprehensive repatriation roadmap that ensures the long-term safety and stability of Rohingya returnees.

Rohingya community leaders have highlighted that the continued stay in overcrowded camps at Cox’s Bazar only deepens the hardships faced by the refugees.

They point out that without a clear plan for repatriation, the risk of unrest and worsening living conditions will remain high. Discussions during the meeting also touched on the potential for economic opportunities in initiatives such as the Bhasan Char project. However, the community’s primary concern remains a safe and orderly return to Myanmar.

Critically, the Rohingya argue that if the UNHCR refugee cards do not guarantee their protection and right to return, then the purpose of these documents is undermined.

The community’s plea for a detailed repatriation plan is seen as a necessary step toward ending their cycle of displacement and ensuring that justice, dignity, and long-term stability are restored in their homeland.

International human rights organizations and Rohingya advocates continue to urge regional and global stakeholders to act swiftly to secure the rights and future of this vulnerable community.