United News of Bangladesh

High Representative to Chief Adviser Dr Khalilur Rahman on Wednesday categorically said the government did not discuss anything on giving ‘corridor’ to Myanmar through Bangladesh with anyone and stressed that they will not even discuss it. He said what they were talking to the United Nations is channelling aid -- food and medicine -- to Rakhine due to the humanitarian crisis there. Any decision or consideration will be taken in consultation with all the stakeholders, said the National Security Adviser at a media briefing at the Foreign Service Academy. Chief Adviser's Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam and Deputy Press Secretary Apurba Jahangir were present at the media briefing. Responding to a question, Dr Khalilur Rahman said they are not under pressure from any country, not even from the United States. "We can't give anyone any free pass," he said, stressing the importance of Bangladesh's own interest. Dr Khalilur Rahman said Bangladesh is taking a burden of over 1.2 million Rohingyas and the country cannot accept any additional Rohingya. He said Bangladesh’s focus remains on the repatriation of the Rohingyas to Myanmar. "It has to be sustainable repatriation. They have to go back. They have to stay there (in Myanmar)," Dr Khalilur Rahman said. He said there is no lack of coordination or understanding and he works very closely with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Bangladesh Army. Dr Khalilur Rahman said the ‘corridor’ issue and debate first emerged from a news portal of a neighbouring county. He said there were no serious efforts in the last seven years and the interim government brought it to global focus again. World Is Watching The government said Bangladesh is coordinating with the relevant actors to prevent another wave of refugees into the country. UN, Rohingya refugees accuse India of casting dozens into sea near Myanmar In particular, the government has signaled the Arakan Army (AA) that they must ensure that there is no further violence, discrimination and displacement of Rohingyas inside Rakhine, according to the Chief Adviser's press wing. They (AA) have the responsibility to observe international law, including international humanitarian law, said the interim government. "And the world is watching. Bangladesh's continued contacts with them will depend on their action in this area, as well as on Rohingya representation," said the press wing sharing a set of questions and answers. Dhaka backs Arakan Army talks for national interest, Rohingya rights  The question of humanitarian support to the Rakhine state arose when Bangladesh authorities learned about the acute humanitarian crisis it was facing.  UNDP predicted impending famine-like conditions. Bangladesh was concerned that this situation would drive more people from Rakhine into Bangladesh. The government said already, Bangladesh is shouldering the burden of sheltering over 1.2 million forcibly displaced Rohingyas from Myanmar and cannot simply afford another wave of refugees and it is already a big burden on Bangladesh. Given the deteriorating humanitarian conditions in Rakhine state, the UN and Bangladesh began consideration of the provision of humanitarian support. Since all other aid delivery avenues are unviable due to conflict, Bangladesh turned out to be the only feasible option, said the interim government. It was thought that the UN would organize distribution of aid through its channels within Rakhine and Bangladesh would provide logistical support to transfer aid across the Bangladesh-Myanmar border, it said. Besides, Bangladesh considered that aid to Rakhine would help stabilize the state and pave the way for creating enabling conditions for the return of the Rohingyas to Myanmar. No Agreement Yet The interim government said there has been no agreement on the provision of aid to Rakhine yet as it would require consent of all relevant parties and satisfaction of a number of prerequisites for aid provision which are common in other cases of humanitarian support around the world. These include, among others, unimpeded access of aid providers and recipients, non-discrimination in the provision of aid, non-weaponisation of assistance and suspension of armed activities. Discussions with Arakan Army The Bangladesh government realized the need for keeping contact with the Arakan Army when they took control over the Myanmar side of our border. The interim government said it is Bangladesh's duty to protect its border and keep it peaceful. “For this reason, Bangladesh decided to make informal contacts with the Arakan Army.”  Bangladesh government has continued to engage them in the context of consideration of provision of humanitarian support, repatriation of the Rohingyas and the inclusion of the Rohingyas at all levels of the emerging governance and security structure in Rakhine. The government said Bangladesh's contact with the Arakan Army is due to practical necessity. “At the same time, Bangladesh is maintaining contacts with the Myanmar government. It is necessary to keep in touch with all relevant actors with a view to sustainably resolving the Rohingya issue.” Make Sure Aid Isn’t Weaponised Bangladeshi officials have recently said that certain conditions will need to be met for Bangladesh’s agreement to the UN's proposal for humanitarian assistance. To begin with, the interim government said, all the relevant parties need to agree on the provision of aid. Besides, it said, the Arakan Army needs to ensure that access of aid providers and recipients is not impeded, aid is not weaponized and there are no armed activities. Also, Bangladesh said, the Arakan Army needs to sincerely demonstrate its commitment to an inclusive society in Rakhine by including Rohingyas at all levels of Rakhine’s governance and security structure. Otherwise, the government thinks, it will appear to the world as a picture of ethnic cleansing, which Bangladesh will not accept. Dhaka is awaiting the Arakan Army's response. Security Risks The government said giving aid in a conflict situation poses safety and security risks to the aid providers and recipients. “Prevalence of landmines and IEDs is another threat to safety and security. These issues need to be addressed ahead of the provision of aid.” Position of Regional Countries Bangladesh said saving lives from an impending humanitarian disaster is a collective responsibility of the global community. “All of parties need to join efforts to tackle this problem. Stability in Rakhine is Bangladesh’s priority. Hardly any progress can be made towards repatriation without achieving it,” said the interim government. More Rohingya Coming into Bangladesh The government said Bangladesh does not want another influx of refugees. “It simply can’t afford this.” There has been a sizable influx of Rohingyas from Rakhine during intensified conflict between the Arakan Army and Myanmar forces from 2023 until autumn of 2024. The government said Rohingyas have continued to enter Bangladesh thereafter, albeit in smaller numbers.