The KRF Center for Bangladesh and Global Affairs (CBGA) organized the seminar ‘An Update of Rohingya Crisis’ at the CBGA Conference & Dialogue Room on Saturday, June 18, 2022. Brig Gen (Rtd.) Hasan Md. Shamsuddin, afwc, ndc, psc, Lead Researcher, Rohingya, Myanmar, and ASEAN affairs, CBGA, was the Speaker of the session. M. Aynul Islam, Research Director at CBGA, moderated the session. The session was chaired by Professor Dr. Delwar Hossain, Chair, CBGA. The seminar ware also attended by the CBGA Adjunct Research Fellow and other researchers. The seminar was held on hybrid platforms.
World politics is going through a paradigm shift in recent times both regional and sub-regional dimensions due to major international events like global pandemic, Ukraine war and changing landscape of ASEAN, which may shift the attention of the international communities from the biggest humanitarian crisis, the Rohingya refugee crisis. The Rohingya Crisis has serious national, regional and global implications. Drug smuggling, trafficking, and forced sexual labor are among the security threats. Rohingyas are used as pawns by transnational criminal networks for human trafficking and narcotics trafficking. This region is very crucial in terms of access to the Bay of Bengal. Big ideas like BRI, IPS, FOIP, and Big B have been initiated by regional powers like China, India, and global powers like the US, and Japan.
A brief overview of the current situation of the Rohingya crisis was discussed before diving into the main argument. While talking about the current scenario of the Rohingya Crisis, the speaker mentioned that Bangladesh is providing shelter to 1.1 million Rohingyas since 2017. He also wanted to illustrate whether they have marginalized the Rohingya problem or added new dimensions. Bangladesh needs to maintain communication with Myanmar through informal channels. Involving The military as one of those channels can be effective to hasten the negotiation process. The floor also discussed the role of ICJ and ASEAN viewpoints with the focus being on ASEAN’s involvement in resolving the Rohingya crisis. Associate professor Aynul Islam emphasized the need for a change in public mindsets and the political will of world leaders to find a solution. Assistant professor Ali Siddique raised concerns regarding the citizenship of camp-born Rohingya children (more than 30,000 every year). It’s uncertain whether we’re ready for the legal conundrum that these multiracial babies will pose.
The session’s chair, Professor Dr. Delwar Hossain, addressed the international community, which has been very quiet about the serious Rohingya crisis. The Rohingya tragedy has gotten less attention than any other major world event. He rightfully mentioned that the current global economic and security scenario has affected almost every country created by the Ukraine war and global pandemic. As a result, the Rohingya crisis will hurt the economy and national security of Bangladesh. The strategic positions of Bangladesh and Myanmar, especially in the Bay of Bengal area, will have a big impact on the new economic and security situation in Southeast Asia. This scapegoating is ludicrous since Bangladesh handled the Rohingya situation where Bangladesh is being criticized instead of getting praised for its efforts. In addition, the issue has reached a new phase, with some groups advocating for the Rohingya to be reintegrated into Bangladesh. So, it’s clear that the west’s support for the Rohingyas has started shifting towards Europe. Hence, these changes in the global order will remain a matter of Concern for Bangladesh’s economy and security.
