Will Obama's stance help resolve ‘Rohingya’ issue?

26 May 2013
The Financial Express
Zaglul Ahmed Chowdhury

President Barack Obama of the United States of America has urged the Myanmar authorities to stop repression of the minority "Rohingya" community. He has expressed the hope that Yangon government would protect the interests of all religious and ethnic communities. He told no less a person than the president of the Myanmar during the latter's visit to the US the other day that the "Rohingyas" 'deserve fair and better deal' from Myanmar government, while praising the on-going democratic reforms in that former 'pariah' nation. The Myanmar president paid the landmark visit to the US following a series of pro-democracy reforms that have brought it closer to Washington and other Western countries.

The "Rohingya" issue has also involved Bangladesh, rightly or wrongly, for a long time. The re-emergence of the "Rohingya" problem for Dhaka last time came somewhat as a bolt from the blue. For, there was hardly any inkling that such a problem involving the "Rohingya" Muslims in Myanmar was at all brewing for sometime past. On the contrary, the South East Asian nation has been very much in the regional and international news in positive terms. In fact, the current reforms, aimed at turning the nation that was hitherto ruled with an iron-fist, into a democratic society, are major ingredients for coverage by the international media; the world at large is veering towards the developments in Myanmar with a great degree of interest and curiosity. Indeed, this is a glorious saga for the country that virtually has been under military rule in different forms since 1962 until the on-going changes were initiated. These have come rather as surprising developments for many. But they have happily been initiated by the present government of president Then Sein.

Indeed, this has been splendid progress for the nation known for its tough pattern of rule and isolationist policy until the unveiling of the desirable changes that have still a long way to go for reaching the destination. Besides, Myanmar's relations with its neighbour, Bangladesh, are also quite cordial, despite some misunderstanding along the border and centering the "Rohingya" issue. One major irritant was that of the maritime boundary dispute. It has been settled with the satisfaction of both sides; interactions between the two countries in various areas are also increasing. Needless to say, Bangladesh -- even if peripherally -- is involved in the "Rohingya" issue since the Myanmar Muslims known by this name have been intermittently coming into this country for the last few decades. Dhaka is grappling with the problem as several thousand "Rohingya" refugees are still in its territory awaiting repatriation while most of them have gone back.

The Rakhine province in the north-western Myanmar has become restive following incidents of mayhem involving the majority Buddhists and the minority "Rohingya" Muslims. The trouble spread like a wild fire in the middle of the last year and the government declared then a state of emergency in the aftermath of the dangerous situation resulting in many deaths and scores being injured. The gravity of the situation was such that the United States had called for calm and resolving the problem at the earliest.

The "Rohingya" refugees, who are also sheltered in neighbouring Thailand, demonstrated before the UN office in Bangkok. On the other hand, demonstrators in Yangon and some other places in Myanmar clamoured against the "Rohingyas", calling them as "terrorists from Bangladesh". What has perturbed Dhaka is the creation of a situation for exodus of the "Rohingyas" inside Bangladesh. But the government took a firm position not to allow them again as many are seeking to cross over to this country to escape "atrocities" in Myanmar. Dhaka's position notwithstanding, the issue has also an humanitarian angle. The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) urged Bangladesh to accept the refugees 'who comprise women and children'. After all, the humanitarian appeal has its own value.

The "Rohingya" issue is not a new phenomenon as a large number of such people crossed into Bangladesh way back in 1978. The matter was particularly relevant for Bangladesh as 0.2 million (2.0 lakh) people had reportedly came over from Myanmar. The repatriation of these people remained a irritant between the two countries, but most of the refugees went back in different phases while some more are still left in the camps in Cox's Bazar and other places. Two countries and the UNHCR have been involved in the gruelling process after the issue had hit snags several times owing to different factors. Yangon was not willing to recognise all the refugees as its citizens while many refugees themselves are reluctant to go back, fearing trouble or, being least interested in leaving Bangladesh.

The repatriation process appeared quite intractable at times because of myriad complexities, but all these could be largely resolved -- thanks to the governments of two countries and the UN. Myanmar has several rebels groups like the "Karen" rebels, but the "Rohingyas" have been identified as a persecuted community in that country by the United Nations. They have taken shelter in both Bangladesh and Thailand for what they allege repression from both the majority community and the authorities.

It is against this background that it sounds plausible that Myanmar government should hold back its nationals from leaving the country. For this to happen, it is imperative to create conditions for their safety. Even if the "Rohingyas" are found guilty, to some extent, of some of the ugly, if not deadly, occurrences in the Rakhine province, the minorities are generally treated with a kid-glove approach everywhere. The same should also apply to the "Rohingyas" for the simple reason that they need security.

The Myanmar authorities are now on the threshold of bringing about great reforms that would hopefully usher in a new era for the nation. This process may be adversely affected if the ethnic problems like that of the "Rohingyas" continue unabated. As such, the best way for resolving the critical issue is to provide necessary safety so that the Myanmar citizens do not feel themselves compelled by circumstances to leave their country, out of sheer desperation. This will also serve a great cause of friendship for the neighbouring Bangladesh as Dhaka can heave a sigh of relief under such a situation.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, during her recent visit to Thailand, has underscored the need for resolving the "Rohingya" issue and called for international efforts in that direction. Now that the president of the United States has made a fervent plea for stopping ill-treatment of the "Rohingyas", prospects seem to have brightened about improving the plight of the "Rohingyas". After all, Myanmar has big stakes to gain from the US and its allies for its development programmes and other benefits. But the question still remains: Will the Myanmar government and the radical Buddhists change their heart in this regard?

zaglulbss@yahoo.com