BIISS And BCBS Jointly Holds a Webinar on Rohingya Issues

Bangladesh Institute of International and Strategic Studies (BIISS) and Bangabandhu Centre for  Bangladesh Studies Canada jointly organized a Webinar on “The Rohingya Exodus in  Bangladesh: Regional and Global Security Implications” 09 November 2021. Major General  Md. Emdad-Ul-Bari, NDC, psc, te, Director General, BIISS, delivered the welcome address and Dr  Khalilur Rahman High Commissioner of Bangladesh in Canada delivered the concluding remarks.  Professor Dr Imtiaz Ahmed, Director, Centre for Genocide Studies, University of Dhaka, delivered his lecture as a keynote speaker.

At the outset, Major General Md. Emadul Bari paid his solemn reverence to the memory of the  Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. He extended his sincere homage to the memory of the martyrs who made the supreme sacrifice during our War of Liberation in 1971. 

Major General Md. Emad-Ul-Bari said on the webinar that, “Myanmar is facing trouble to manage its ethnic issues since its birth as an independent state. The forceful expulsion of Rohingya started in 1978. In August 2017, Myanmar drove out the largest number of Rohingyas in Bangladesh. From then, an Internal issue of Myanmar has transcended to across the countries threatening the security issues of south and southeast Asia”. 

He added that “The prime concern for Bangladesh now is the sustainable repatriation of the  Rohingyas. Bangladesh opened formal negotiations with Myanmar on this issue in October 2017.  Both countries signed a deal on 23 November 2017 for the possible repatriation of Rohingyas.  Thereafter, two abortive attempts have been made to start a voluntary return. Consequently, about 10  agreements between the two countries including those in areas of land boundary management,  prevention of narcotics, trade and transport etc. have not gone as desired. 

He emphasized that the problem was created by Myanmar and its solution must be found in  Myanmar. The Rohingya Crisis needs to be resolved with utmost priority. It is the responsibility of  the international community to act proactively to solve this humanitarian crisis. 

The keynote speaker Dr. Imtiaz Ahmed professor of International Relations of Dhaka  University said that the international community has the responsibility to solve this issue as it is a  humanitarian issue. They should keep pressure on the Myanmar military. More countries should come forward to support and solve this crisis.

The executive director of Bangabandhu Centre for Bangladesh Studies ( BCBS) Dr. Kawser  Ahmed mentioned that the recent military takeover in Myanmar added a new dimension to the  Rohingya crisis. Repatriation of 1.3 million Rohingyas to the secured home in Rakhine State in  Myanmar always remained a priority along with bringing the perpetrators and most importantly genocide and crime against humanity among the Rohingya population should be brought under justice. 

Senior officials from different ministries, ambassadors and high commissioners, senior civil  and military officials, media, academia, teachers and students from different universities participated in the webinar and raised their valuable opinions in the open discussion session.