United News of Bangladesh

Referring to engaging with the Arakan Army, National Security Adviser and High Representative to Chief Adviser Dr Khalilur Rahman on Tuesday said Bangladesh, as a sovereign state, would maintain communication with whoever it wants taking its own interest into consideration. "We will speak to whoever we want for our own interests. It doesn't matter who said what," he said while responding to a question about the Myanmar military government's opinion on Bangladesh's contact with the Arakan Army. He said they have formulated an independent foreign policy and are implementing it. "You are witnessing this." Khalilur Rahman said Myanmar has identified the Arakan Army as a militant entity, and Myanmar is also communicating with them. "One thing must be kept in mind. The Arakan Army controls the other side of the Bangladesh border. Bangladesh has to manage, protect, and keep this border peaceful," he said, stressing that they will keep in touch with whoever is on the other side. Bangladesh has reiterated its position that it will not welcome new Rohingya arrival from Rakhine. "Bangladesh is trying to prevent the new arrival of the Rohingya," he said. Want to build stronger commercial ties, Canada’s trade envoy tells Prof Yunus Bangladesh wants to see Rohingyas at all levels of the new administration being formed in Arakan, Rahman said, sharing that they conveyed through the United Nations. "If they (the Arakan Army) do not do that, then it will be a sign of ethnic cleansing, which we cannot support in any way. If the Arakan Army does not take this step, then it will be very difficult to continue talking to them," said the National Security Adviser. He said there is no ambiguity here, the matter is black and white - either they are for ethnic cleansing or against it. "We do not support such ethnic cleansing anywhere in the world. This is a test for the Arakan Army. We are waiting to see whether they can pass this test or not," Khalilur Rahman said. The communication and understanding between the interim government and the military government of Myanmar also continued as a few days ago, Bangladesh provided assistance to Myanmar after the earthquake. On March 15 in Dhaka, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said the Arakan Army is an entity with which he believes a “necessary dialogue must take place” but stressed that it would be “extremely difficult” to have an immediate “dignified return” of the Rohingya refugees amid heavy fighting between the Myanmar Army and Arakan Army. “I think it is important to engage with the Arakan Army in order for full respect of the rights of the Rohingya population in Rakhine,” he said. Guterres said it is essential to increase the pressure of the international community and all the neighbours of Myanmar in order to guarantee that fighting ends and democracy is finally reestablished there.

Speakers at a seminar on Sunday called for adopting a multipronged strategy combining bilateral and multilateral diplomacy, security and international cooperation as the government eyes the repatriation of the Rohingyas to their place of origin in Myanmar. They identified current instability in the Rakhine State of Myanmar, unclear position of the Arakan Army and geopolitical divides as some of the barriers towards the Rohingya repatriation which remains the ultimate goal of the government. At the same time, the speakers emphasised the importance of stabilising Rakhine for repatriation, ensuring global commitment, and building trust among all parties, considering the Rohingya repatriation in the larger context of regional security. The seminar titled ‘Repatriation of Rohingyas in Bangladesh: Strategic Implications on Regional Security and Ways Ahead’ was hosted jointly by the Armed Forces Division (AFD) and Bangladesh University of Professionals (BUP) at the ‘Swadhinata Auditorium’ BUP campus. Foreign Affairs Adviser Md Touhid Hossain spoke at the seminar as the chief guest. National Security Adviser and High Representative to the Chief Adviser Dr Khalilur Rahman and Principal Staff Officer of the AFD Lieutenant General SM Kamrul Hassan addressed it as special guests. Diplomats stationed in Dhaka, military attaché of various countries, Rohingya issue experts, officials of various ministries, agencies and BUP students also participated in the seminar. BUP Vice-Chancellor Major General Md Mahbub-ul Alam delivered the welcome speech at the seminar. The Principal Staff Officer of the Armed Forces Division highlighted the recent influence of the Arakan Army in Myanmar’s Rakhine State and the complexity of the absence of Myanmar government authorities in the border areas. He emphasised the need for coordinated cooperation of the international community and regional partners, including bilateral initiatives, for a sustainable solution to the Rohingya problem. Left unresolved Rohingya issue is a problem not only for Bangladesh, but for entire region: Foreign Adviser The Foreign Affairs Adviser and National Security Advisor said the current government is working towards a sustainable solution for the repatriation of the Rohingyas. The government is hopeful of a solution to this problem by adopting all possible means and multi-dimensional diplomatic approaches for the repatriation of the Rohingya, they said. The speakers said it is important to ensure that the international community does not divert attention from the Rohingya crisis amid other global conflicts. Besides, the need for a roadmap for the return of the Rohingya was also emphasized. Since the main partners in Myanmar are the military junta, the Arakan Army and the National Unity Government (NUG), the speakers said any permanent solution must involve all three parties. Prof Dr Sahab Enam Khan, Department of International Relations, Jahangirnagar University presented the keynote speech. Abu Salah Md Yousuf, Research Director, Bangladesh Institute of International and Strategic Studies and Assistant Professor Md. Ataur Rahman Talukder, Department of International Relations, BUP presented papers as panelists, according to ISPR release. M Humayun Kabir, former Ambassador and President of Bangladesh Enterprise Institute, moderated the open discussion. On August 25, 2017, hundreds of thousands of refugees started crossing the border to Bangladesh on foot and by boats amid indiscriminate killings and other violence in Myanmar’s Rakhine state. Since 2017, Bangladesh has attempted at least twice to send the refugees back and has urged the international community to build pressure on Myanmar for a peaceful environment inside Myanmar that could help start the repatriation.

Deeply concerned by the interim government's approval of a humanitarian corridor from the Chittagong Hill Tracts to Myanmar's Rakhine State, the BNP plans to launch initiatives with all political parties to resist the move, describing it as a threat to Bangladesh’s independence and sovereignty. Talking to UNB, three BNP standing committee members said they would take all possible steps, in consultation with other political parties, to mount pressure on the government to abandon this risky plan that could turn Bangladesh into a battlefield like Palestine. They said the BNP would either send a letter to the government or dispatch a delegation to meet the Chief Adviser to learn more about the Rakhine corridor. The BNP leaders said their party’s standing committee, at its meeting on Monday night, discussed the matter in detail with serious concerns. They said the meeting decided to engage with like-minded parties on the issue and simultaneously gather information on the government's actual intentions in this regard, as well as evidence concerning the real situation in Rakhine. Later, the party will present the entire matter to the nation based on facts and logic, highlighting that an unelected government, lacking the people’s mandate, has no authority to take decisions on such a highly sensitive issue. On Saturday, Foreign Adviser Touhid Hossain announced that the interim government, in principle, agreed to allow a humanitarian corridor under UN supervision, subject to certain conditions. He, however, did not provide further details on the matter. People won’t spare us if we follow AL’s path: Fakhrul to BNP followers BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, speaking at a programme on Monday, strongly objected to the decision, stating that the interim government should have consulted political parties beforehand, as the issue concerns the country’s independence, sovereignty and the future peace and stability of the region. “Such passages have been used to send aid to war-torn Gaza via Jordan. We do not want our country to become another Gaza… We don’t want to turn into another Gaza. We don’t want to see war anymore. We don’t even want anyone to come here and create trouble for us. We’re already in a big crisis with the Rohingya,” he said. Later that night, the BNP policymakers, in a virtual meeting presided over by party Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman, voiced similar concerns. “We have taken the issue so seriously that our meeting was entirely focused on this single issue. Almost all members of our standing committee expressed their anger over the interim government’s move to provide a humanitarian corridor for Rakhine State, Myanmar, without consulting political parties,” said a BNP policymaker. He said their party believes that an unelected government, without a mandate from the people, has no jurisdiction to make a decisions on matters related to the country's security and sovereignty. “In a context where a state of war prevails in Myanmar—where the military junta and the Arakan Army are engaged in a nationwide conflict, and the junta has halted all supplies to suppress the Arakan Army—we also discussed how reasonable it would be for Bangladesh to provide a humanitarian corridor, and whether that could pose a threat to the country’s security,” the BNP leader said. Khosru criticises Prof Yunus for backing interim govt option Another BNP policymaker said while Bangladesh has already been bearing the burden of over a million Rohingya, who were allowed in on humanitarian grounds, the country should not be dragged into another crisis by providing a humanitarian corridor. The BNP leader said the party has sympathy for the people of Rakhine, as UN reports indicate the region is currently facing a severe humanitarian crisis. “But Bangladesh must also understand the views of neighbouring countries, particularly China and India, on the issue.” At their meeting, he noted that a BNP standing committee member mentioned that the humanitarian corridor could be part of an international agenda to destabilise the region and possibly create a Christian state involving parts of the Chittagong Hill Tracts and Myanmar. He warned that if such plans are implemented, Bangladesh risks becoming another Palestine. Contacted, BNP Standing Committee Member Dr Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain said, “We are not fully aware of the matter yet. From media reports, we have learned that the government has unilaterally taken such an important decision without any discussion with the people or political parties.” BNP’s Khosru seeks immediate election roadmap for democratic transition He said they have heard that the government plans to allow the corridor on humanitarian grounds, with certain conditions. “But we do not know what those conditions are.” The BNP leader urged the government to clearly inform the nation about the decision and the specific conditions involved. “We, too, are gathering relevant information and evidence on the issue. We will also discuss it with relevant experts and stakeholders. Once we have done so, our party will announce its formal position,” he said. BNP Standing Committee Member Salahuddin Ahmed expressed astonishment over the government’s decision, saying, “If this decision is implemented, it will jeopardise Bangladesh's security, peace, stability, territorial integrity and national sovereignty.” He cautioned that any move which could potentially trigger military conflict with any party in Myanmar would pose a grave risk to Bangladesh. “So, such a sensitive decision must be taken with the utmost caution, based on consensus and only after discussions with all political parties and social forces.” In response to a query, Salahuddin said, “We will ask the government whether any discussions were held with the United Nations or any other party regarding the humanitarian corridor. If so, what were the conditions? Why was this decision taken? Once we hear the government's explanation, we will determine our next course of action.”

Bangladesh Embassy in Yangon on Saturday handed over another consignment of humanitarian relief material from the Government of Bangladesh to support those affected by the recent earthquake in Myanmar. Bangladesh said it remains committed to supporting neighbours in their time of need. Bangladesh will continue to promote friendship, mutual respect and understanding, and humanitarian cooperation with Myanmar. These essential supplies—including tents, food packets, dry rations, drinking water, blankets, clothing, hygiene products, and other essentials —were transported to Yangon by the Bangladesh Navy Ship Somudra Avijan, reflecting our strong commitment to stand beside our neighbours in times of need. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Bangladesh, the Armed Forces Division and the Bangladesh Navy coordinated the transport and delivery of the assistance. In this third consignment, 120 metric tonnes of relief material have been delivered, said the Bangladesh Embassy in Yangon. Bangladesh seeks aerospace partner, eyes win-win cooperation with Turkey In total, 151 metric tonnes of relief materials have been provided to the people of Myanmar in three consignments since the earthquake struck on 28 March. Additionally, a 55-member Search and Rescue (SAR) and medical team was deployed in Naypyitaw to support the rescue and recovery efforts. The Chief Minister of Yangon Region received the relief material at a ceremony at Yangon seaport. A donation of 800 boxes of hygiene products by the Bangladesh Red Crescent Society has also been handed over to the representative of the Myanmar Red Cross Society.

Bangladesh initially refused to meet Myanmar officials in Bangkok for their leader calling Rohingyas “illegal Bengalis” in his BIMSTEC speech, said Chief Adviser’s Deputy Press Secretary Abul Kalam Azad Majumder on Saturday. “The meeting took place only after Myanmar agreed to give the disclosure that 180,000 Rohingyas were now fit to return,” he said in a post from his verified Facebook account. BIMSTEC reaffirms its critical role to deal with shared security, challenges Azad said he was “amazed” to see how High Representative Dr Khalilur Rahman handled the whole issue. “He (Rahman) even made Myanmar officials call Rohingyas, which is no small achievement,” said the DPS recalling his experience of covering the Rohingya crisis for almost two decades for multiple outlets such as Reuters, EFE and the Washington Post when he visited every corner of the camp and wrote many stories about their pain and persecution, especially after the 2017 massacre. Azad said he never thought he would come this close to witnessing a defining moment in the crisis, which would finally open the door for their long-awaited repatriation. On Friday, Myanmar authorities confirmed to Bangladesh that out of a list of 800,000 Rohingyas sheltered in Bangladesh, they have identified 180,000 eligible ones for return to Myanmar. Modi expressed respect for Yunus despite Hasina’s disrespect: CA’s Press Secretary   The original list was provided by Bangladesh in six batches during 2018-2020. The final verification of another 70,000 Rohingyas is pending additional scrutiny of their photographs and names. This was disclosed to Dr Khalilur Rahman by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Myanmar Than Shew at a meeting on the sidelines of the 6th BIMSTEC Summit in Bangkok. This is the first such confirmed list that constitutes a major step toward the longstanding resolution of the Rohingya crisis. The Myanmar minister also confirmed that the verification of the remaining 550,000 Rohingyas on the original list will be undertaken on an expeditious basis. Ready to provide further humanitarian support: Dr Yunus tells Myanmar PM There were attempts to start repatriation in 2018 and 2019 but those efforts went unsuccessful as the Rohingyas refused to go back. During the meeting, the High Representative expressed his condolences for the earthquake victims of Myanmar and said Bangladesh was ready to send further humanitarian support for the disaster-stricken people.

A 55-member rescue and medical team from Bangladesh reached Nay Pyi Taw on Tuesday afternoon to extend humanitarian assistance to the earthquake affected people of Myanmar. Two C 130 J and one CASA C 295W flights carried the team along with a total 15 metric tons of relief materials comprising 4.2 metric ton medicine and medical products, tent, and dry food to Myanmar.  Bangladesh sends 2nd consignment of emergency aid to Myanmar Bangladesh Ambassador in Myanmar M Monwar Hossain handed over the relief materials to Ambassador at large of Myanmar Foreign Ministry Kyaw Tun, according to an official message here. Defence Adviser of the Embassy Brigadier General Md. Aftab Hossain was also present during the handing over ceremony. Earlier on March 30, Bangladesh sent the first consignment of 16.5 metric tons of relief in two flights.

Foreign Affairs Adviser Md Touhid Hossain on Tuesday sought urgent action to prepare a comprehensive Rohingya repatriation roadmap involving Myanmar, ASEAN members, the UN, and donor countries. During a meeting with the visiting Special Envoy of the ASEAN Chair on Myanmar Othman Hashim in Dhaka, he highlighted that ASEAN nations are the sufferers of the Forcibly Displaced Myanmar Nationals (FDMNs) crisis after Bangladesh. Therefore, special assistant Hossain said more coordinated efforts from ASEAN may contribute to resolve the challenges of Repatriation. Earlier after exchanging greetings, Special Envoy Othman sought Bangladesh’s views, insights and comments on the matter. The Foreign Adviser congratulated Othman on his appointment and expressed hope that his tenure as chair would usher in new avenues to resolve the crisis. He informed that Bangladesh is positively considering assisting an UN-led humanitarian assistance programme in Rakhine in the face of impending famine, which may contribute to stability in Rakhine State. He highlighted the necessity of early repatriation (read ASAOP)of the FDMNs with agreed rights and security. The Special Envoy conveyed ASEAN's strong commitment to resolving the crisis and assured that he would make a coordinated effort toward this goal. Dhaka, Islamabad happy over "upward trajectory" in bilateral relations He agreed that the crisis has gone beyond boundaries and highlighted ASEAN's ongoing humanitarian assistance efforts in Myanmar. The envoy also emphasized that ASEAN nations, like Bangladesh, are also affected by the crisis which needs to be resolved through cooperation in all possible ways. The ASEAN Chair’s Special Envoy to Myanmar had a separate meeting with Foreign Secretary Md Jashim Uddin at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The Foreign Secretary congratulated him and expressed hope that his tenure would enhance cooperation under the ASEAN framework for the repatriation of the Rohingyas. During the meeting, the Foreign Secretary underscored the importance of the repatriation of the Forcibly Displaced Myanmar Nationals to their homeland. He highlighted that both Bangladesh and ASEAN nations are affected by the crisis and emphasized the need for coordinated efforts. He urged the Special Envoy to implement the ASEAN Five-Point Consensus. The Foreign Secretary conveyed concerns over Myanmar’s lack of political will in repatriation, escalating recent violence. He also shed light on the upcoming high level conference on Rohingyas proposed by Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus. The Special Envoy expressed the willingness of ASEAN to resolve the crisis. He also mentioned his recent visit to Myanmar and ongoing humanitarian assistance activities of ASEAN in Myanmar. He reiterated that ASEAN countries are also victims like Bangladesh and will try to resolve the issue peacefully through safe repatriation. Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to resolving the crisis through diplomacy.

Myanmar officially expressed regret after Bangladesh on Sunday strongly protested its security forces flying helicopters over the Bangladesh-Myanmar border areas , firing of small arms and heavy weapons in the border area and loss of life and property caused by it. The protest was raised by the head of the Bangladesh delegation during a flag meeting between members of Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) and Myanmar’s Border Guard Police (BGP) held at Teknaf in Cox's Bazar on Sunday. Read: Home Minister inaugurates Viewer’s Gallery of BGB-BSF Joint Retreat Parade Lt Col Khalid Mohammad Iftekhar, commanding officer of BGB-2 Battalion, led an 8-member Bangladesh delegation while Police Lieutenant Colonel Ye Wai Soe, Commanding Officer, No (1) Border Guard Police Branch, led the 7-member Myanmar delegation at the flag meeting, said Shariful Islam, public relations officer of the BGB headquarters in the evening. During the flag meeting , Bangladesh side also called upon the BGP to maintain a peaceful stand on the border and also to keep a watchful eye so that no shell falls inside Bangladesh in the future as a result of the internal conflict in Myanmar, the BGB PRO said at the flag meeting.

A flag meeting between members of Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) and Myanmar’s Border Guard Police (BGP) is underway over the prevailing unrest along the border at Teknaf upazila in Cox’s Bazar on Sunday morning. Lieutenant Colonel Khalid Mohammad Iftekhar, commanding officer of BGB-2 Battalion, is leading the Bangladesh side while Police Lieutenant Colonel Ye Wai Soe, Commanding Officer, No (1) Border Guard Police Branch, the Myanmar side, Shariful Islam, public relations officer of the BGB headquarters told UNB. Read more: Bangladesh Army asks Myanmar Army to be cautious during operations at common border They would discuss the issues related to the border security and prevailing tension, Lieutenant Colonel Khalid said on Saturday. “You have learned what incidents have happened, we will discuss issues, which have triggered tension among our people living along the border,” he said. On September 16, a Rohingya boy was killed and five others injured as a mortar shell fired by the Myanmar army exploded at a Rohingya Camp located at the Zero Point of the border. On the same day, another Bangladeshi young man was seriously injured in a landmine explosion along the Bangladesh-Myanmar border at Naikhongchhari upazila in Bandarban. Read more: Locals in dread as firing inside Myanmar rocks Naikhongchhari Local people said it was the Myanmar army that had planted mines the area. One exploded near the Tombru border. In the face of continuous gunfire and mortar shelling inside Myanmar close to the Bangladesh border local authorities evacuated 30 families from Dochari and Ghumdhum unions at Naikhongchhari on October 23. Bangladesh’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has recently summoned Myanmar envoy to Dhaka several times and formally protested against the move by the Buddhist-majority nation’s military.

Trouble is once more breaking out at the Bangladesh-Myanmar border. Following multiple military incursions by the Myanmar military across the border, the Bangladesh Army is on high alert and is reviewing its options. Regarding Bangladesh's intentions to begin repatriating Rohingya refugees who are not accepted in their country, both parties are attempting to position themselves. As this most recent altercation develops, it becomes clear that the Rohingya problem requires a regional solution, writes Dr David Brewster – one of Australia’s leading academic experts on strategy and security in the Indian Ocean region and South Asia – in Lowy Institute’s The Interpreter. The Tatmadaw, the Myanmar military, has increasingly violated Bangladeshi territory over the past few weeks. This has included helicopter and jet overflights as well as shelling of areas close to Bangladeshi villages. The most recent incident occurred on September 16 and entailed a mortar attack on the refugee camp in "No Man's Land," which is located directly on the border between Bangladesh and Myanmar. The narrow border between the two nations has stranded thousands of Rohingya refugees for years. In the incident last week, five people were hurt, including Bangladeshis, and at least one person died. These events can be considered a spillover from the ongoing separatist struggle in Rakhine State, Myanmar. But Bangladeshi officials privately feel that the Tatmadaw is deliberately attempting to sabotage the border between Myanmar and Bangladesh in order to thwart the planned return of Rohingya refugees to Myanmar. They wonder whether it is merely a coincidence that these episodes took place a few days before Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's speech to the UN General Assembly, during which she would ask for support from other countries for Bangladesh's intentions to repatriate the Rohingyas. Read: Hasina breaks down in tears while talking about everyday ordeals of Rohingyas Since 2017, after being ethnically cleansed from Rakhine State by Myanmar government forces and local nationalist groups, about one million Rohingya refugees have sought safety in Bangladesh. As their fate is increasingly in doubt between Bangladesh and Myanmar, a conflict between the two nations is theoretically on the horizon if the issue is not handled, Dr Brewster writes. With aid from the international community, Bangladesh has established sizable camps close to the Myanmar border as a kind host for the Rohingya refugees. But as financing and attention from abroad dwindle and local Bangladeshi groups grow more hostile to the refugees, the pressure on the Bangladesh government from inside grows. The Bangladesh government must appear to be making serious efforts to repatriate refugees or find other places for them to live since elections are scheduled for the next year. Early in 2022, Bangladesh and Myanmar resumed talks to repatriate a small number of Rohingyas to that country, with China helping to fund the construction of at least three receiving centres inside Myanmar. The pressure on Myanmar is now being increased by Bangladesh, who is also backing a case brought by the Gambia before the International Court of Justice alleging Myanmar of committing genocide. The UN General Assembly talk Sheikh Hasina gave this week is a part of an effort to keep the Rohingya problem, including their repatriation, in the public eye. However, there is no reason to think that the Rakhine nationalists or the Myanmar government, who forcibly ejected the Rohingyas, would ever welcome their return. In fact, there has recently been discussion about removing even more of the surviving Rohingyas from Myanmar. The latest border events are being viewed by the Bangladeshi administration in the context of its efforts to mobilise the international community in support of repatriations. The Tatmadaw's actions seem designed to elicit a reaction from Bangladesh. Planned repatriations could be stopped and more refugees could leave Myanmar under the cover of an insecure border and the fighting in Rakhine State, Dr Brewster writes.