Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Diplomatist
Knowledge Partner
was essen*ally this considera*on that led Bangladesh to adopt a policy of
push back at the border to deter Rohingyas from entering Bangladesh.
To aQract interna*onal aQen*on, Bangladesh raised the issue of the
Rohingyas at the UN. During the annual UN General Assembly in
September 2017, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina called for interna*onal
aQen*on. She also urged for a permanent solu*on to the condi*on of
Rohingyas in Myanmar and presented a five-point agenda in this regard.
It is noteworthy that Bangladesh
did not designate a special envoy
Another concern that led
for this purpose and relied mostly
Bangladesh to demand an
on its diplomats posted both in the
foreign ministry and in various
urgent solu@on to the
missions abroad.
problem is that Myanmar
Ini*ally, in August 2017, Bangladesh was reluctant to open its borders and
followed the policy of push back. The country was compelled to open its
border due to public pressure. The government could not overlook the
heightened public sen*ment on the issue within Bangladesh. Many have
termed the recent incidents of violence as genocides. The intensity of public
sen*ment could be sensed from the demand made by some sec*ons of the
society for military ac*on against Myanmar. However, demonstra*ng
prudence, the government of Bangladesh choose diplomacy as the favoured
op*on. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina was categorical about her preference
for a diploma*c solu*on.
does not recognise
The major impact of Bangladesh’s
Rohingyas as its ci@zens.
diplomacy was the worldwide
In fact, Myanmar regards
condemna*on of Myanmar for
violence in Rakhine State. Another
them as migrants from
significant outcome was the UN
Bangladesh.
resolu*on on the Rohingya issue.
Ad d i * o n a l l y, t h e Eu ro p e a n
Parliament passed a resolu*on in support of the Rohingyas. The leader of
Myanmar’s ruling Na*onal League for Democracy party and Nobel
laureate Aung San Suu Kyi was widely cri*cised for her government's
inac*on.
The interna*onal community's reac*on towards conflicts in Rakhine State
was lukewarm in the beginning. Dhaka's efforts played a key role in raising
awareness about the problem. The country made special outreach efforts to
powers like India, China, Russia, the US and EU. One of the first fruits of its
efforts came in form of India’s massive relief assistance for refugees in
Bangladesh, one of the first by another country, which was followed by a
statement on the ouklow of refugees in Bangladesh. During Indian Prime
Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Myanmar that took place soon ajer the 25
August incident, India condemned the acts of terrorism in Myanmar but
refrained from a statement on the exodus of refugees. India issued a
statement on the Rohingya exodus ajer Bangladesh’s high commissioner to
India met India’s foreign secretary and explained the ground situa*on in the
Bangladesh context.
The change in China's posi*on too is considered an achievement. China
and Myanmar enjoy close bilateral rela*ons. During the years of
Myanmar’s isola*on, China was among the very few countries with
whom it had diploma*c rela*ons. Beijing has developed deep economic
*es with Naypyidaw and is developing several infrastructure projects in
the country including a few in Rakhine State. Ini*ally, China refrained
from taking any stand on the Rohingya issue. China's role became
significant because it had, backed by Russia, opposed discussing the issue
at the UN in March 2017. Some media reports claimed that Bangladesh's
foreign secretary met the Chinese envoy in Bangladesh to support the
UN resolu*on on the Rohingyas. The success of the country’s efforts in
wooing China could be assumed from the Chinese foreign minister's
visits to Bangladesh and Myanmar in November 2017 during which he
discussed the Rohingya issue with the two countries.
To aQract interna*onal aQen*on, Bangladesh raised the issue of the
Rohingyas at the UN. During the annual UN General Assembly in September
Pressed by the interna*onal community, Myanmar and Bangladesh
signed an agreement in November 2017 for facilita*ng the repatria*on
of the Rohingyas. In January 2018, the two countries also agreed on the
procedures for the return of the Rohingyas, which is likely to be
completed in two years. Opinions are divided about the actual number of
Rohingyas who will return given how the agreement contains a clause
that the refugees need to produce proof of residence in Myanmar which
some say very few will be able to provide. The authen*city of the claims
and concerns will become evident in the future, but for the moment it is
a posi*ve step forward.
Image 8: Rohingya refugees stream into neighbouring Bangladesh following
persecuLon in Myanmar
14