Another diplomatic dilemma over Rohingyas
Bangladesh is facing yet another diplomatic dilemma over the issue of Rohingya refugees. The repatriation of the refugees back to their homeland in Myanmar has not taken off ground. And now, in India, the Supreme Court has ruled in favour of around 40 thousand Rohingya refugees there to be driven out of the country. In October they successfully sent back 7 Rohingyas to Myanmar and, with Supreme Court approval, to Rakhine, after which we now see hordes of Rohingyas entering Bangladesh. The UN has sternly criticised India for such forceful extradition of the Rohingyas, but India does not bother about such statements.
It seems as if handing over 7 Rohingyas to the Myanmar authorities in October was a strategic move on the part of India. It has created fear amongst the Rohingyas in India, as a result of which, at least 1300 Rohingyas have fled from there into Bangladesh.
Faced with genocide and crimes against humanity perpetrated by the Myanmar army, the Rohingyas have fled to various places all over the world, including India. But the manner in which India has treated them is totally against the secular humanitarian image of this country known as the largest democracy in the world. India has a well-guarded border but has had no reaction to the fact that 1300 Rohingyas have slipped past security and entered Bangladesh over the past few months. It seems as if they are more relieved than anything else.
India certainly can take pride in having sheltered refugees. But they cannot evade the responsibility of creating a sense of insecurity and fear among the Rohingyas. Previously when over 500,000 Rohingyas entered Bangladesh, we did not get a supportive response from India, China and Russia. It had been hoped they would help Bangladesh in its talks with Myanmar, aiming to resolve the issue. But Bangladesh did not get that help from its development partners. Yet the issue of regional security is latched on the issue.
The moves made so far from the rest of the world to address the Rohingya crisis has been inadequate. And the recent moves of India in this regard are not at all justified and are damaging to Bangladesh. Analysts see the present treatment of India towards the Rohingyas in sharp contrast with its previous tradition and records of human rights.
The newly appointed foreign minister AK Abdul Momen has said that they have not received full information in this regard as yet. If there is fear to face the facts, then this will be harmful to Bangladesh’s sovereignty and its diplomatic interests. Delhi, at various times, has spoken about being by Dhaka’s side during times of crisis. But reality tells a different tale.
Bangladesh should send a special mission to Delhi to discuss the issue. They should also discuss with the political opposition and the civil society regarding steps to halt further influx of Rohingyas.