World is watching, contacts with Arakan Army depend on their actions: Govt

The government on Wednesday (21 May) said Bangladesh is coordinating with the relevant actors to prevent another wave of refugees into the country. 

In particular, the government has signalled the Arakan Army that they must ensure that there is no further violence, discrimination and displacement of Rohingyas inside Rakhine, according to the Chief Adviser's press wing.

They (Arakan Army) have the responsibility to observe international law including international humanitarian law, said the interim government.

"And the world is watching. Bangladesh's continued contacts with them will depend on their action in this area, as well as on Rohingya representation," said the press wing sharing a set of questions and answers.

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 unviable due to conflict, Bangladesh turned out to be the only feasible option. It was thought that the UN would organise distribution of aid through its channels within Rakhine and Bangladesh would provide logistical support to transfer aid across Bangladesh-Myanmar border.

Additionally, Bangladesh considered that aid to Rakhine would help stabilize 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 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-weaponization 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 ruling junta?

Ans: Bangladesh government realized the need for keeping contact with the Arakan Army when they took control over the Myanmar side of our border. It is Bangladesh's duty to 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  weaponized 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 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.  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 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 of 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 sizeable influx of Rohingyas from Rakhine during intensified conflict between the Arakan Army and Myanmar forces from 2023 until autumn of 2024. Rohingyas have continued to enter Bangladesh thereafter, albeit in smaller number.