Not just a humanitarian issue, there are also security and logistical issues
Recent reports citing policy-level sources suggested that Bangladesh had agreed in principle to a UN-supervised humanitarian corridor to deliver aid to Myanmar’s conflict-ridden Rakhine State. The foreign adviser to the government appeared to confirm this in comments to the press. However, the Chief Adviser’s Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam on 29 April categorically refuted the claim, stating that no such decision has been made. However, the reports and accompanying statements have already sparked debate. The Business Standard spoke with experts to explore the challenges, opportunities, and concerns surrounding a potential corridor, as well as the broader Rohingya crisis in Bangladesh
Humayun Kabir
Diplomat
This is a new experience for us, with massive implications. Those with direct interests in Rakhine would obviously like to know our plans. They will analyse it depending on their priorities. In this case, China and India might be curious to know.
The Myanmar government should know exactly what the modalities of this decision are. Multiple stakeholders beyond Bangladesh will be interested in this.
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This is happening across our border, so if the situation worsens in Rakhine, more Rohingyas could come straight into Bangladesh, but that does not go well with our national interests. So, any effort that helps us avoid that is positive.
Furthermore, the UN has agreed to help us. We cannot mobilise the resources we need to do this ourselves. So, the support of the UN means the international community is showing interest, which is a positive thing.
If Bangladesh and the UN work together, Bangladesh will have its say. My sense is that, as the Foreign Adviser has indicated, Bangladesh has expressed its preference in regards to the operation.
The UN will only possibly arrange the humanitarian support element, and those could be stored here in Bangladesh and passed to the Rakhine side. Bangladesh would be involved in every stage of the process, because this is not just a humanitarian issue, but there are also security issues and logistical issues.
If you look at our Rohingya camps, there are issues with the law and other problems on our side. But if you look at the Rakhine side, it's a warzone. Then there is the Arakan Army that is controlling that side. We do not know exactly what their government's capabilities are. So, we could face problems from people on the other side.
Then the issue of distribution comes in. This is for the distressed Rohingya community in Rakhine. So, we must ensure that these supplies reach those who need it, and there could be problems with that. In these kinds of situations, those who hold ground tend to swipe parts of the supply. We would have to make sure the aid reaches the intended people.
However, Bangladesh should have consulted relevant political parties before agreeing to this in principle. Anything that has national implications, it is best to consult the relevant stakeholders. Conceptually, this is a problem because it sounds like the political parties have not been consulted. The interim government, by definition, is temporary.
Once the next government comes into picture, they have the right to either continue or suspend the programme. If they had been brought into the fold early on, then there could be the possibility that they would be under a kind of commitment to continue. But if they aren't consulted, they could just suspend it. This is why it is required to get consensus. It ensures greater sustainability of the programme.
I do not, however, think that this decision could lead to Bangladesh having to host more Rohingyas. We are not interested in that at all. We want them to go back as soon as possible. Regardless of what happens, we have made our position very clear. Our position is that Rohingyas need to go back with dignity and in a sustainable manner. We want the situation to stabilise in Rakhine so that they can go back.
Humayun Kabir is a former ambassador of Bangladesh to the United States. TBS' Alhan Arsal spoke to him over the phone.
