When Myanmar unleashed mass atrocities, ethnic cleansing, and genocide against the Rohingya, Bangladesh emerged as the primary safe haven.
Despite being one of the most densely populated and resource-constrained countries in the world, Dhaka opened its borders in 2017.
Millions of desperate people flooded into Cox’s Bazar, creating what is now the world’s largest refugee settlement.
Chief Adviser Dr. Muhammad Yunus, at the recent international conference in Cox’s Bazar, reminded the world of that moment of humanity: Bangladesh did not look away when lives were at stake.
The U.S. State Department echoed this, once again praising Bangladesh’s role and calling on other nations to continue support.
Yet, eight years later, global solidarity is visibly weakening.
International funding for Rohingya humanitarian assistance is declining. Promises made at the United Nations have remained largely unfulfilled.
While the Trump administration spoke in favour of the Rohingya, major geopolitical players like India and China effectively stalled meaningful UN action.
This international paralysis has left Bangladesh carrying a burden it can no longer sustain indefinitely.
In Cox’s Bazar on Monday, Dr. Yunus outlined a seven-point framework that blends humanitarian principles with pragmatic politics:
Safe and dignified repatriation of the Rohingya to Myanmar.
Continued support from donor agencies.
An immediate end to violence against the Rohingya.
A dedicated dialogue platform on the crisis.
Support from ASEAN, neighbors, and the wider international community.
A firm global stance against ethnic cleansing.
Accountability and justice for atrocities.
This framework makes clear that Bangladesh views repatriation, not permanent settlement, as the only sustainable solution.
A new dimension has emerged in recent years: the Arakan Army (AA).
The armed group now controls much of Rakhine State and continues to fight the Myanmar junta. This makes the AA a decisive stakeholder in whether Rohingya repatriation is feasible.
Bangladesh has already initiated backchannel communication with the group.
Dr. Yunus explicitly urged the AA to prevent further Rohingya influx into Bangladesh and to create conditions for their return.
While the AA’s stance toward the Rohingya remains ambivalent, international observers believe engaging the group could be key to unlocking the repatriation deadlock.
Since Dr. Yunus assumed office, the Rohingya issue has regained some diplomatic spotlight.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres visited Bangladesh, met refugees, and called for action.
Building on this momentum, Bangladesh will push the agenda at the upcoming UN conference on September 30, expected to be the largest global gathering on the Rohingya crisis with 170 nations attending.
Whether this summit produces concrete pathways to repatriation or merely restates commitments will test the world’s resolve.
Bangladesh’s moral act of generosity in 2017 cannot be sustained indefinitely.
The camps are straining local resources, fueling social tensions, and increasing security concerns. Dhaka is now sending a clear message: the world must share responsibility, and Myanmar must take its people back.
The real question is not how long Bangladesh will keep its doors open– but how long the international community will continue to look away from one of the worst humanitarian crises of the 21st century.
