Shawdesh Desk:
National Security Adviser Khalilur Rahman has categorically said that the government has not held any talks with anyone regarding a humanitarian corridor with Myanmar and that no such discussions will take place.
“I want to say unequivocally that we have neither held any discussions with anyone regarding a humanitarian corridor with Myanmar, nor will we engage in any such talks,” he said while addressing a press conference at the Foreign Service Academy in Dhaka on Wednesday.
During the press conference, he dispelled confusion over the much-discussed issue and responded to several related questions, at a time when the country’s security experts and political leaders have expressed concern about the matter.
The full text of the question and answer is provided below for the readers’ better understanding.
1. What is the current status of Bangladesh’s involvement in humanitarian assistance in Rakhine state?
Ans: The question of humanitarian support to the Rakhine state arose when Bangladesh authorities learned about the acute humanitarian crisis it was facing. UNDP predicted impending famine-like conditions. Bangladesh was concerned that this situation would drive more people from Rakhine into Bangladesh.
Already, Bangladesh is shouldering the burden of sheltering over 1.2 million forcibly displaced Rohingyas from Myanmar and cannot simply afford another wave of refugees. It’s already a big burden on Bangladesh.
Given the deteriorating humanitarian conditions in Rakhine state, the UN and Bangladesh began consideration of the provision of humanitarian support. Since all other aid delivery avenues are unavailable due to conflict, Bangladesh turned out to be the only feasible option. It was thought that the UN would organise the distribution of aid through its channels within Rakhine and Bangladesh would provide logistical support to transfer aid across the Bangladesh-Myanmar border.
Additionally, Bangladesh considered that aid to Rakhine would help stabilise the state and pave the way for creating enabling conditions for the return of the Rohingyas to Myanmar.
There has been no agreement on the provision of aid to Rakhine yet as it would require the consent of all relevant parties and satisfaction of a number of prerequisites for aid provision, which are common in other cases of humanitarian support around the world. These include, among others, unimpeded access of aid providers and recipients, non-discrimination in the provision of aid, non-weaponisation of assistance and suspension of armed activities.
2. What is the status of discussions with the Arakan Army? How is Bangladesh balancing between the Arakan Army and the Myanmar junta?
Ans: The Bangladesh government realised the need for keeping contact with the Arakan Army when they took control over the Myanmar side of our border. Bangladesh must protect its border and keep it peaceful. For this reason, Bangladesh decided to make informal contacts with the Arakan Army.
Bangladesh government has continued to engage them in the context of consideration of provision of humanitarian support, repatriation of the Rohingyas and the inclusion of the Rohingyas at all levels of the emerging governance and security structure in Rakhine.
Bangladesh’s contact with the Arakan Army is due to practical necessity. At the same time, Bangladesh is maintaining contacts with the Myanmar government. It is necessary to keep in touch with all relevant actors with a view to sustainably resolving the Rohingya issue.
3. Bangladeshi officials have recently said that certain conditions will need to be met for Bangladesh’s agreement to the UN’s proposal for humanitarian assistance. What are those conditions and has there been any progress in such discussions?
Ans: To begin with, all the relevant parties need to agree on the provision of aid. Moreover, the Arakan Army needs to ensure that access of aid providers and recipients is not impeded, aid is not weaponised and there are no armed activities. Also, the Arakan Army needs to sincerely demonstrate its commitment to an inclusive society in Rakhine by including Rohingyas at all levels of Rakhine’s governance and security structure. Otherwise, it will appear to the world as a picture of ethnic cleansing, which we will not accept. We are awaiting the Arakan Army’s response.
4. What are the security risks in the provision of humanitarian aid?
Ans: Giving aid in a conflict situation poses safety and security risks to the aid providers and recipients. The prevalence of landmines and IEDs is another threat to safety and security. These issues need to be addressed ahead of the provision of aid.
5. What would be the position of regional countries regarding the UN humanitarian assistance to Rakhine?
Ans: Saving lives from an impending humanitarian disaster is a collective responsibility of the global community. All parties need to join efforts to tackle this problem. Stability in Rakhine is Bangladesh’s priority. Hardly any progress can be made towards repatriation without achieving it.
6. We are already seeing more Rohingya coming into Bangladesh. If this continues, how does Bangladesh plan on addressing another influx?
Ans: Bangladesh doesn’t want another influx of refugees. It simply can’t afford this. There has been a sizeable influx of Rohingyas from Rakhine during the intensified conflict between the Arakan Army and Myanmar forces from 2023 until the autumn of 2024. Rohingyas have continued to enter Bangladesh thereafter, albeit in smaller numbers.
Bangladesh is coordinating with the relevant actors to prevent another wave of refugees into Bangladesh. In particular, the Bangladesh government has signalled to the Arakan Army that they must ensure that there is no further violence, discrimination and displacement of Rohingyas inside Rakhine. They have the responsibility to observe international law, including international humanitarian law. And the world is watching. Bangladesh’s continued contacts with them will depend upon their action in this area, as well as on Rohingya representation.
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