United News of Bangladesh

Chief Adviser’s High Representative Dr Khalilur Rahman on Tuesday said the repatriation of Rohingyas from Bangladesh is unlikely to proceed unless the ongoing conflicts in Myanmar's Rakhine (Arakan) state are resolved. “They (Rohingyas) are not leaving tomorrow. A repatriation process requires careful preparation — ensuring safety, livelihood opportunities and a stable environment. This is not unique to the Rohingya situation; it is fundamental to all repatriation processes,” he told a press briefing held at the Foreign Service Academy in the capital. Chief Adviser's Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam, Deputy Press Secretary Apurba Jahangir and Assistant Press Secretary Nayem Ali were present. Dr Khalilur Rahman said Bangladesh's interim government is actively working towards that end in coordination with relevant international and regional actors. He also elaborated key developments from the sixth Bimstec summit held in Bangkok from April 3 to 4, saying that the conference highlighted regional cooperation, including discussions on the long-standing Rohingya crisis. “During the summit, I met U Than Swe, Myanmar’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister. We have made significant progress regarding repatriation,” said Dr Rahman, adding, “Between 2018 and 2020, we submitted a list of 800,000 Rohingyas in six phases. Myanmar has reviewed 250,000 of these names and identified 180,000 people who they confirm arrived from Myanmar. However, there are some discrepancies regarding the remaining 70,000, which both sides are working to resolve.” Myanmar has also committed to accelerating the verification process for the remaining 550,000 Rohingyas. Hasina’s extradition issue raised but nothing finalised: Foreign Adviser He said Bangladesh is maintaining contact with all relevant stakeholders, including the Myanmar authorities, the Arakan Army, the United Nations, and friendly nations. “Under the 2018 bilateral agreement between Bangladesh and Myanmar, verification has been ongoing. While Rakhine is a sovereign region of Myanmar, we have also engaged in dialogue with the Arakan Army, which publicly affirmed in September that repatriating the Rohingya is a key position for them. They reiterated this stance unequivocally during our discussions.” Dr Rahman emphasised, “We believe arrangements can be made to return these 180,000 individuals. While this won’t happen overnight, we are striving to expedite the process with all stakeholders involved.” Dr Khalil also relayed the Chief Adviser’s goal that Rohingya refugees may be able to celebrate the next Eid in their homeland. Referring to concerns about instability in Rakhine, where 80 percent of the territory is under the control of the Arakan Army, Dr Khalil acknowledged that conflict may delay the repatriation. He, however, highlighted substantial progress over the past three months. “This issue had been losing global attention, but thanks to efforts by the UN Secretary-General and the Chief Adviser, it has been brought back to the forefront. A dedicated international conference on the Rohingya crisis has also been secured at the UN.” On March 15, Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus and UN Secretary-General António Guterres visited refugee camps in Cox’s Bazar and shared iftar with around 100,000 Rohingya refugees. Home adviser sees no specific security threat centering Pahela Baishakh During this visit, the UN Secretary-General reiterated that repatriation is the only viable solution to the crisis — a view echoed in a joint statement with China during a recent diplomatic visit. “This is the first time we have an agreed number,” said Dr Khalil, referring to the 180,000 verified individuals. “It gives us a foundation to move forward.” He underscored the necessity of ensuring an “enabling environment” for returnees. “You cannot push a community back into a fire. Safety and means of livelihood must be guaranteed. We cannot do this alone — all parties must collaborate.” Regarding Bangladesh’s role in promoting peace in Arakan, Dr Khalil said, “We are working with international organisations and various nations to address the humanitarian crisis and restore stability in the region. For any meaningful progress, a ceasefire between the warring parties is crucial.” He added, “Our discussions indicate that during humanitarian operations led by the UN, both sides are likely to observe a cessation of hostilities. We are hopeful that this will create the conditions needed for repatriation discussions to become more practical.” Responding to questions about the proposed humanitarian corridor mentioned by the UN Secretary-General, Dr Khalil said, “He used the term 'channel' rather than 'corridor' due to the legal implications. Bangladesh remains the only viable conduit for delivering aid, given that Rakhine’s coast remains under Tatmadaw control, making other access points infeasible.” Highlighting the broader humanitarian dimension, Dr Khalil said, “This is not just about the Rohingya. Many in the Rakhine community are suffering — from food shortages to lack of medical aid. Both communities have borne heavy losses in this conflict. Supporting them is not only our responsibility but that of the entire international community.” Describing Bangladesh’s evolving approach over the past eight years, he said, “The repatriation issue must be seen as an integrated process. Ensuring peace in Arakan and Rohingya repatriation are inherently linked. No one can be pushed back into a warzone. We are committed to voluntary repatriation, and the willingness to return is evident. The only hurdle is ensuring a safe and stable environment.” “This is a multidimensional challenge. Many elements were previously absent, but now the dimensions are coming together. And we are not alone in this effort,” he added.

A new investigation by Fortify Rights will reveal shocking new details about violence against Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh that rise to the level of international crimes, said the international rights body on Saturday ahead of its release. The 78-page report is based on years of research and more than 100 interviews with Rohingya survivors, eyewitnesses, armed group members, UN officials, aid workers and others. The report, to be released on Tuesday (March 18, 11 am Dhaka), will include urgent recommendations to the government of Bangladesh, militants and international actors. Fortify Rights is an independent nonprofit organisation registered in the United States and Switzerland. Global inaction will deepen Rohingya crisis, INGOs warn during UN chief’s visit The findings will expose patterns of abuses that have gone largely unaddressed by authorities. “I May Be Killed Any Moment” will document ruthless violence and deadly impunity by militant groups against Rohingya refugees, who are also facing a food and aid crisis, compounding the situation. A Rohingya woman human rights defender (pre-recorded message), John Quinley, Director, Fortify Rights, Patrick Phongsathorn, Senior Advocacy Specialist, Fortify Rights will join the programme moderated by Tanbirul Miraj Ripon, freelance journalist, at Dhaka Reporters Unity. Fortify Rights is an award-winning team of human rights defenders working to ensure human rights for all. We investigate violations, engage people with power on solutions, and strengthen human rights defenders.

United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres will arrive in Dhaka on Thursday with a packed schedule for Friday and Saturday, featuring a series of meetings and greater engagements in Cox’s Bazar Rohingya camp, before his departure on Sunday morning. Foreign Affairs Adviser Md Touhid Hossain will receive the UN chief who is scheduled to arrive at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport by an Emirates flight at around 5pm, officials said quoting his tentative programme schedule. Guterres will meet Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus at his office on Friday morning. Adviser Hossain Touhid Hossain and High Representative on Rohingya issue and priority matters Dr Khalilur Rahman will also together meet the UN chief at a city hotel. After these two separate meetings, the UN chief together with the Chief Adviser will travel to Cox’s Bazar to visit the Rohingya camps. Disaster Management and Relief Adviser Faruk E Azam Bir Protik will receive them at Cox’s Bazar International Airport at around 12pm on Friday. Global focus on Rohingya crisis to return through UN chief’s visit: Govt At a briefing at the watch tower led by UNRC, RRRC, ISCG Principal Coordinator and IOM-UNHCR Representative, a panoramic view of the camps and Myanmar border will be provided. There will be a briefing by the World Bank; demonstrating the role of IFIs on strengthening infrastructure and human capital investment among refugees. The briefing will highlight disaster mitigation and integrated approaches to service delivery. Sharing their engagements in the Rohingya camp, Chief Adviser's Deputy Press Secretary Abul Kalam Azad Majumder said they expect 1 lakh Rohingya people will join iftar with the Chief Adviser and UN chief together. Guterres and Dr Yunus will take part in an Iftar meal with refugees and members of the Bangladeshi host community, recognising the generosity of Bangladesh in sheltering nearly one million Rohingya who fled persecution and violence in Myanmar. They are expected to return to Dhaka from Cox’s Bazar around 8:40pm on Friday. UN chief Guterres meets Dr Yunus in Davos On Saturday, the UN chief will visit new UN common premises and see 50th anniversary photo exhibition. Adviser Adilur Rahman Khan and Foreign Secretary Md Jashim Uddin are likely to remain present. Guterres will also join a meeting with the UN Country Team members and UN all staff. He is likely to attend a roundtable discussion on reforms and will have a separate dialogue with the youth on Saturday. The UN Secretary General will also have a meeting with the civil society to be moderated by Adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan. A joint media briefing by the UN Secretary General and Foreign Adviser Hossain is likely to take place before joining Iftar and early dinner to be hosted by Chief Adviser Yunus. Bangladesh invites UN Secretary General Guterres for 2025 visit The UN Secretary General is scheduled to leave Dhaka on Sunday morning wrapping up his second visit to Bangladesh. High Representative Khalilur Rahman will see him off at the airport.

The interim government on Wednesday said UN Secretary-General António Guterres’ scheduled visit from March 13-16 would help redouble global efforts to find an early solution to the Rohingya crisis bringing the crisis to global attention again. “This is an important visit for Bangladesh. We firmly believe that the visit will help bring the crisis to the global spotlight. We expect the UN chief will give a good message to that end,” Chief Adviser’s Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam told reporters at a media briefing at Foreign Service Academy ahead of the UN chief's second visit to Bangladesh.   Alam said the interim government led by Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus from the very beginning is working to ensure that the Rohingya crisis comes to the global map again despite there being other global crises. “The government wants to make sure that the global focus is there,” he said, adding that the Chief Adviser is highlighting the Rohingya crisis with the international dignitaries. The Press Secretary said the government wants early resolution of the Rohingya crisis so that they can return to their place of origin in Myanmar’s Rakhine State with safety and dignity. “It is a top priority of the interim government.”   Alam said the UN chief, who is scheduled to arrive in Dhaka at 5pm on Thursday, will have a bilateral meeting with Dr Yunus on Friday morning before they together travel to Cox’s Bazar to visit the Rohingya camp. Gambia seeks Bangladesh support in pursuing genocide case against Myanmar He said the humanitarian aid for the Rohingyas declined sharply and hoped that the visit will help find some ways to address the issue and efforts will be redoubled to mobilize aids for the Rohingyas. “We do no not want to see any disruption of funds flow. We do no not want to see their nutritional needs compromised.” Without urgent new funding, monthly rations must be halved to US$6 per person, down from US$12.50 per person – just as refugees prepare to observe Eid, marking the end of Ramadan, said the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) recently. The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) warned of a critical funding shortfall for its emergency response operations in Bangladesh, jeopardising food assistance for over one million Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh. All Rohingyas receive vouchers that are redeemed for their choice of food at designated retailers in the camps. To sustain full rations, WFP urgently requires US$15 million for April, and US$81 million until the end of 2025. Alam said the visit will also be helpful for mobilizing global support ahead of the UN international conference on the Rohingya crisis to be held in September. He said Finland and Malaysia have also joined as co-sponsors of the event. Deputy Press Secretary Abul Kalam Azad Majumder said the UN chief will have two working days mainly on Friday and Saturday though he arrives at 5pm on Thursday. Sharing their engagements in the Rohingya camp, Azad said they expect 1 lakh Rohingya people will join iftar with the Chief Adviser and UN chief together.  Guterres and Dr Yunus will also take part in an Iftar meal with refugees and members of the Bangladeshi host community, recognising the generosity of Bangladesh in sheltering nearly one million Rohingya who fled persecution and violence in Myanmar. The Chief Adviser will leave Dhaka for Cox’s Bazar in the morning (March 14) and return to Dhaka in the evening (same day), Azad said. As part of his annual Ramadan solidarity visit, Guterres will also meet young representatives from civil society. Bangladesh, Japan discuss PPP projects, transport cooperation The Secretary-General has made solidarity visits an annual tradition, beginning during his decade-long tenure as UN High Commissioner for Refugees, when he regularly observed Ramadan alongside displaced and marginalised communities. “Every Ramadan, I undertake a solidarity visit and fast with a Muslim community around the globe. These missions remind the world of the true face of Islam,” Guterres said in his message. “Ramadan embodies the values of compassion, empathy and generosity. It is an opportunity to reconnect with family and community…and I always come away even more inspired by the remarkable sense of peace that fills this season,” he added. UN chief Guterres, in a recent letter to Dr Yunus, expressed the hope that the high-level conference on Rohingya Muslims and other minorities in Myanmar will renew global focus and help develop broader solutions for their plight. The United Nations will continue to mobilise the international community to support Bangladesh as a host to the Rohingya, Guterres said. “I will continue to exercise my good offices, including through my Special Envoy on the Republic of the Union of Myanmar, to work closely with regional actors, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) and other stakeholders, towards a political solution to the crisis in Myanmar, including creating conditions conducive to the safe and voluntary return of the Rohingya to Rakhine,” he wrote. The UN chief has requested his senior managers to provide guidance to the United Nations Country Teams in Bangladesh and Myanmar on how they can maximize humanitarian aid and livelihood support to communities in Rakhine. FA urges Rohingya repatriation roadmap among stakeholders The United Nations will prioritise engagement on this issue, including through the Emergency Relief Coordinator and the Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator, in Myanmar, to enable safe, rapid, sustained and unhindered humanitarian access to those in need in Rakhine and throughout Myanmar.” “We await the agreed outcomes and plans for the conference, following Member State consultations, to understand how the United Nations system can best support the process.” He thanked Dr Yunus for his letter, dated 4 February 2025, which was shared with him by High Representative for the Rohingya Crisis and Priority Affairs Khalilur Rahman during their meeting on 7 February. The UN chief also reiterated the strong solidarity of the United Nations with Bangladesh and their support for the transition process under Dr Yunus’ leadership. He said he shared Bangladesh’s concerns regarding the impact of the Rohingya crisis on Bangladesh and the region, as well as the worsening humanitarian situation in Rakhine.

A rickety wooden boat carrying more than 100 Rohingya Muslims landed Wednesday in Indonesia as the northernmost province of Aceh continued to receive the refugees fleeing persecution and political unrest in Myanmar. Indonesia's government blames a surge in human trafficking for the increasing number of Rohingya Muslims who have arrived over the past few years. Local police chief Nova Suryandaru said the boat’s engine had broken down and the boat, carrying mostly women and children, ran aground near Pereulak village in East Aceh district. He said authorities were collecting information about their identities. He said one refugee told authorities that the vessel set off from Cox’s Bazar in Bangladesh with the hope of reaching Malaysia. But Suryandaru said many suspect the boat was deliberately damaged by illegal traffickers so the refugees would not be returned to sea. 30 dead in India's Kumbh festival stampede The government will take “firm action” against perpetrators of human trafficking, Suryandaru said. Over 600 Rohingya refugees have landed in East Aceh in the past year, including more than 260 weak and hungry refugees, mostly women and children, who landed in Pereulak in two boats earlier this month. Indonesia has appealed for help from the international community. About 1 million Rohingya, who are predominantly Muslim, are in camps in Bangladesh after leaving Myanmar. They include about 740,000 who fled a brutal “clearance campaign” in 2017 by Myanmar’s security forces, who were accused of committing mass rapes and killings. The Rohingya minority face widespread discrimination in Myanmar and most are denied citizenship.

Home Affairs Adviser Lt Gen (retd) Jahangir Alam Chowdhury has called on the United States to take in more Rohingyas from Bangladesh for rehabilitation. He made the request during a meeting with the US Embassy's Charge d’Affaires in Bangladesh, Tracey Ann Jacobson, at the Secretariat on Tuesday. Praising the US for its humanitarian aid and rehabilitation efforts for the Rohingyas, the adviser said, “The US has already rehabilitated some Rohingyas. I urge them to take in more for rehabilitation.” Responding to the request, Jacobson highlighted the US’s significant contribution to Rohingya development and rehabilitation. UN’s IIMM to investigate allegations of abuse against Rohingyas She noted that USAID, a US-based development organisation, has been collaborating with local Bangladeshi NGOs to improve the living standards of the Rohingyas. “The US has already rehabilitated about 17,000 Rohingyas and this process is going on.” The bilateral meeting covered several topics, including security, counterterrorism, the Rohingya crisis, law enforcement cooperation, police reforms, border issues, minority rights and agriculture. Terming the US a key development partner, the adviser acknowledged its continued support in addressing terrorism and security challenges. He also urged the US to provide training for the police, Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) and Coast Guard on human rights and human trafficking. Responding to a query, Jahangir Alam said that the country’s borders are stable, with a director-general-level meeting between the BGB and India’s Border Security Force (BSF) scheduled to take place in New Delhi next month. On the question of minority persecution, the adviser dismissed such claims as propaganda from Indian media. “There is no persecution of minorities in Bangladesh. We consider everyone as Bangladeshi citizens with equal rights.” Govt demands clarification from UN on Rohingya exodus report He attributed isolated incidents involving minorities after August 5 to political reasons rather than religious ones. Jacobson reaffirmed the US’s commitment to supporting Bangladesh’s development. She announced that the US is now allowing 30% more Bangladeshi students to pursue higher education compared to previous years. “We will also provide additional training to law enforcement agencies and ensure that participants apply their knowledge effectively upon returning to their duties.” Highlighting the importance of information sharing and database exchange to tackle terrorism and security concerns, Jacobson noted that the countries enjoy robust cooperation in these areas. Senior officials from the US Embassy in Dhaka were present at the meeting.

Members of Bangladesh Navy have arrested 19 people including a human trafficker for their alleged attempt to go to Malaysia illegally from Kacchapia in Teknaf upazila of Cox’s Bazar district. Tipped off, a Navy team conducted a drive in the area early Tuesday and arrested them, said a press release of Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR). Bangladeshi, Indian civilians face off along Chapainawabganj border The arrestees were handed over to Teknaf Model Police Station. In line with the current government's directives, under the framework of 'In Aid to Civil Power, the Bangladesh Navy will conduct regular patrol operations to recover illegal arms, eliminate drugs and terrorism and maintain law and order.

Members of the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) have detained 58 Rohingyas, including women, children, and elderly individuals, during an illegal entry attempt through the Buchitong border in Alikadam Upazila’s Nayapara Union, Bandarban. The operation was conducted by the Alikadam Battalion in the early hours of Saturday. According to police and local sources, the detentions were made following a tip-off about Rohingyas fleeing Myanmar with assistance from several Bangladeshi nationals. Acting on the information, BGB personnel launched a raid in the border area and held the group at around 4am. They were intercepted while being transported on a truck, a private car, and several motorcycles. Besides, five people accused of facilitating the illegal crossing were also detained during the operation. Saving lives must be first priority, says UNHCR as more Rohingya flee by sea Legal proceedings against them are underway, and cases are being prepared at Alikadam Police Station. The Rohingyas, meanwhile, are expected to be pushed back to Myanmar as part of the authorities' ongoing efforts to prevent illegal crossings. Alikadam Police Station’s officer-in-charge, Mirza Zahid Uddin, confirmed receiving information about the detainees but said that no case had yet been filed. “Appropriate measures will be taken once the case is lodged,” he added. The attempted crossings come amidst a protracted conflict in Myanmar, where disputes between the government and rebel groups have intensified, forcing many Rohingyas to flee the region in search of safety. Bangladeshi authorities have been vigilant in monitoring the border and check the influx of refugees and maintain security.

The UN Refugee Agency, UNHCR, has called on States to prioritise life-saving actions as hundreds of Rohingya stateless refugees from Myanmar have sought safety in the region in the first five days of the new year. A total of 460 men, women and children have so far arrived by boat in countries in the region, including Malaysia (196 people on 3 January) and Indonesia (264 people on 5 January) after weeks at sea. Ten people have reportedly died during the journeys. Just three weeks before, another 115 Rohingya landed in Sri Lanka after losing six people at sea. “Saving lives must be the first priority,” said Hai Kyung Jun, Director of UNHCR’s Regional Bureau for Asia and the Pacific on Wednesday. “We appreciate the steps taken by governments in the region to receive these vulnerable people who fled fighting and persecution back home and survived long days at sea with little food and water. We stand ready to provide support to governments and local efforts to assist them.” The new arrivals come at the peak of the “sailing season” – when seas are calmer between the annual monsoon seasons – following an intensification of fighting in Myanmar. In 2024, more than 7,800 Rohingya attempted to flee the country by boat – an 80 per cent increase compared to 2023. Over 650 people died or were reported missing enroute, making this one of the world’s most perilous journeys. Read: 260 Rohingya refugees arrive in Indonesia's coast More children embarked on the voyage, accounting for 44 per cent of total passengers, up from 37 per cent in 2023. The proportion of women also increased to almost a third. Among last year’s new trends, thousands of people were so desperate to flee that they risked their lives trying to cross the Naf River to Bangladesh in severe weather during the rainy season, UNHCR said. In addition, it said, an increasing proportion of Rohingya have set sail directly from Myanmar whereas in the past, many left from Bangladesh’s camps. There are reports of boats being pushed back to sea. “While States have the legitimate right to control their borders and manage irregular movements, especially in the context of people smuggling and trafficking, such measures must guarantee the rights of people to reach safety,” said Jun. “We call on all States to continue search and rescue efforts and make sure that survivors receive the assistance and protection they need.” As the situation in Myanmar continues to deteriorate, more people are expected to flee in the coming months, UNHCR aaid. Read more: Bangladesh had to accept huge Rohingyas under certain circumstances: Touhid Hossain An important part of the solution lies in building on the solid cooperation and planning that has already been undertaken by ASEAN and the Bali Process to address irregular maritime movements. UNHCR encouraged States to focus on protection at sea, meeting humanitarian needs and addressing false narratives and hate speech against refugees and asylum-seekers arriving on their shores. Greater international and regional action is also required to end the fighting in Myanmar and address the root causes of displacement so that refugees can return home voluntarily, safely and with dignity.

Expressing concern over the situation in Myanmar, the United States has said helping resolve Rohingya refugee crisis remains a priority for them.  "So we are following this development closely. We’re remained concerned by the conflict and its potential to undermine regional stability and security," Spokesperson at US Department of State Matthew Miller said during a regular media briefing in Washington on December 17. He made the remarks when a reporter wanted to know how the US is assessing the situation and the fate of the Rohingya refugees, noting that the Arakan Army has taken control of the Rakhine state. UN reappoints Dr Debapriya to Committee for Development Policy The people and government of Bangladesh have shown generosity in hosting Rohingya refugees who have fled persecution in Myanmar, Miller said.  "We will continue to work with Bangladesh to support Rohingya and members of other vulnerable communities from Burma (Myanmar) who have taken refuge there," he said. Bangladesh is now hosting over 1.2 million Rohingyas in Cox’s Bazar and Bhasan Char. Dr Yunus, Ramos-Horta express optimism for stronger partnership