Bangladesh Considers Arakan Army Talks

Bangladesh is reportedly considering a dialogue between the Myanmar government and the Arakan Army, with a view to facilitating the repatriation of the 1 million Rohingya refugees currently living in Bangladesh. The Arakan Army occupies significant territory in Rakhine State, creating a need for effective communication.

Background on the Rohingya Crisis

The Myanmar military is responsible for the atrocities that occurred in 2017, including killings, mass rape, destruction of villages, and forced displacement. However, the Rohingya community has not been made safe by the end of the military rule in some areas of Rakhine. Instead, the actions of the new rulers have caused serious concerns, according to the source.

Allegations Against the Arakan Army

The United Nations and Human Rights Watch have accused the Arakan Army of arbitrary detention, enforced disappearance, forced recruitment, forced labor, extortion, property seizure, and restrictions on movement and employment. The Arakan Army has also faced criticism for its failure to accept the Rohingya’s self-identification and its exclusionary attitude toward them. In May 2024, Human Rights Watch reported incidents of civilians being killed and wounded and of homes being destroyed in Hoyyar Siri village in Buthidaung Township.

Requirements for Repatriation

Before any repatriation can proceed, the Arakan Army needs to accept and recognize the Rohingya identity publicly and welcome them to exercise their historic right to reside in Rakhine state. The right to return to their places of origin and their land, along with freedom of movement, access to education, healthcare, employment, and religious institutions must be afforded to Rohingya residents. As the source notes, return without citizenship is not a long-term solution.

The U.N. and independent humanitarian and human rights organizations should be given full and unrestricted access to areas of return. International monitoring must take the place of verbal assurances made by an armed group. Allegations of killings, forced disappearances, forced labor, forced recruitment, and destruction of property should also be thoroughly investigated and perpetrators held accountable. Rohingya representatives should be part of any talks about their future, as noted by the source, which was published in The Diplomat. The goal should be to create a mechanism with international monitoring for the Rohingya people’s voluntary return and eventual citizenship, complete with guarantees of civilian protection and humanitarian access. As long as those requirements are not met, repatriation will be little more than a political talking point, not a feasible solution.