Ankara: In the world's largest refugee camp, the Rohingya community continues to hope for a return to their homeland in Myanmar, as efforts to repatriate them face persistent challenges. Under an overcast sky, vehicles arrived at the Kutupalong camp, signaling another anniversary of the Rohingya exodus from Myanmar, which began on August 25, 2017.
According to Anadolu Agency, Mohammad Ibrahim, a resident of the camp for nine years, expressed skepticism about the frequent visits from delegations aiming to resolve the plight of the Rohingya. Despite the passing of nine years, the camps around Cox's Bazar, Bangladesh, remain crowded with over a million refugees, and no large-scale repatriation has commenced. Ibrahim recalls the harrowing journey he undertook with his family after losing his home and relatives to violence in Myanmar.
Myanmar has recently shown signs of progress towards repatriation. Bangladesh submitted the names of 828,824 Rohingya for verification, and Myanmar's Foreign Ministry reported verifying 426,545 of these names. However, the Myanmar junta government has stipulated that repatriation will only occur when security in Rakhine State improves. Experts like Shahab Enam Khan from Jahangirnagar University caution that this is merely a preliminary step and does not guarantee immediate return. Control of Rakhine State remains a significant hurdle, as the Arakan Army, an ethnic armed group, holds large areas, raising questions about who can ensure the safety of returning refugees.
Diplomatic efforts are ongoing, with Bangladesh forming a national committee and regional players like China and ASEAN recognizing the importance of stability in Myanmar. Shahab Enam Khan suggests that a comprehensive solution may involve integrating humanitarian, trade, and economic reconstruction initiatives in Rakhine.
The memories of fleeing Myanmar are fresh for many Rohingya, like Mohammad Arifullah, who recalls the arduous journey to Bangladesh. The influx of refugees has transformed Kutupalong into the world's largest refugee settlement, housing over 1.2 million Rohingya across 33 camps. A generation of Rohingya has grown up in displacement, with younger members only learning about their ancestral homes through stories.
Rohingya representatives emphasize that any return must be safe, voluntary, dignified, and sustainable. The United Council of Rohingya (UCR) has been established to advocate for these demands within the refugee community, demonstrating their capacity for peaceful organization and accountability.
Human rights advocates, however, argue that conditions for safe repatriation are not yet in place. John Quinley from Fortify Rights warns of ongoing abuses by the Arakan Army and urges Bangladesh to prepare for the possibility of prolonged refugee presence. Maung Zarni, a Burmese human rights activist, questions Myanmar's capacity to guarantee safe repatriation and criticizes the use of the term "Bengali" to describe the Rohingya, which undermines their identity as a native ethnic group of Myanmar.
As the international community watches, the process of verifying names and planning repatriation continues, but the future remains uncertain. For Rohingya like Ibrahim, the ninth anniversary of their displacement is marked by the same cycles of visits, meetings, and departures, leaving the camps unchanged. The longing for home persists, but so do the questions about when and how it will be safe to return.