China, India's cooperation needed to resolve Rohingya crisis: Shafiqur

Bangladesh needs cooperation from China, India and the wider international community to find a lasting solution to the Rohingya crisis, Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer and Leader of the Opposition Shafiqur Rahman said today (24 September).

The ultimate solution to the crisis was the safe and dignified return of Rohingyas to their homeland, he said during an exchange with journalists at Sylhet Circuit House in the afternoon.

However, he said Bangladesh could not resolve the crisis alone under the current circumstances.

"This is not merely a bilateral issue between Bangladesh and Myanmar; it is an international problem," he said, adding that the international community needed to take more effective steps to create conditions for repatriation.

He said temporary financial assistance for Rohingyas would not resolve the crisis and stressed the need to create conditions for their return to Myanmar.

According to Shafiqur Rahman, the situation inside Myanmar remains unstable, with prolonged conflict and different armed groups controlling parts of the country.

This has also complicated the question of whom to engage with over the repatriation of Rohingyas, he said.

He highlighted the roles of China and India, saying both countries have important interests and influence in Myanmar alongside Bangladesh.

The Jamaat chief also called for greater international engagement, including through the United Nations, to help create a path towards resolving the crisis.

Expressing concern over the prolonged stay of Rohingyas in refugee camps, Shafiqur said a new generation was growing up with limited access to education.

He called for greater emphasis on education and skills development for Rohingya children. Alongside international assistance, he suggested providing limited opportunities for livelihood and productive work so that refugees could become more self-reliant while living in the camps.

He also warned that prolonged deprivation and lack of education among Rohingyas could pose a security concern not only for Bangladesh but for the wider region.

Shafiqur said Jamaat-e-Islami had continued providing humanitarian assistance to Rohingyas and would try to maintain such support according to its capacity.

On the recent fuel price hike, the opposition leader said the increase had already affected the prices of goods as well as people's transport costs.

He said the opposition had sought to address the issue through parliament rather than the streets, adding that discussions had been held through a notice under Rule 68.

He also claimed that the government did not accept an offer to provide an expert technical team on the power sector.

He described the demands raised during the recent long march as non-partisan and legitimate, saying the opposition had taken to the streets over those demands.

Calling for responsible statements from the government, he said maintaining peace and strengthening democracy required responsible conduct.

On law and order, Shafiqur said the situation was not acceptable in an independent country and alleged that the Home Ministry was failing to discharge its responsibilities properly.

He also expressed concern over child deaths from measles, saying the situation was distressing.

He criticised what he described as a lack of transparency over vaccination and questioned plans to establish intensive care units at upazila-level facilities, calling such proposals unrealistic.

On the postponement of local government elections, he questioned why elections should be delayed because examinations take place throughout the year.

He also criticised the Election Commission, saying it lacked the institutional strength to hold the elections as scheduled.

He further said Jamaat had wanted local government elections to be held before the national parliamentary election.