Rohingyas will not return to Myanmar unless their rights and security are guaranteed, said Bangladesh's interim Foreign Affairs Advisor, Md Touhid Hossain. Speaking at a seminar titled "Repatriation of Rohingyas Sheltered in Bangladesh: Impact on Regional Security and the Future," held at the Bangladesh University of Professionals (BUP) on Sunday (May 4), he emphasised that safe and dignified return is impossible under the current conditions in Myanmar.
Touhid Hossain noted that Myanmar's internal conflict, ongoing civil war, and lack of citizenship or protection for displaced populations make repatriation highly unlikely at this time. "Rohingyas will not go back to the same place they fled from unless their rights and safety are assured," he said.
He expressed doubt over the effectiveness of bilateral talks with Myanmar, stating, "Years of bilateral diplomacy have yielded no results—no Rohingya has returned under such efforts." He stressed the need for international involvement and a unified global approach, warning that the Rohingya issue must not be overshadowed by other global crises.
He also called for a clear roadmap for Rohingya repatriation. Addressing Myanmar's political state, he pointed out that even under Aung San Suu Kyi, the country was under semi-military rule. With full-scale civil war, any long-term solution must involve all major actors: the military junta, the Arakan Army, and the National Unity Government (NUG), particularly the Arakan Army, which currently controls Rakhine State.