Bangladesh’s Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus on Monday outlined a seven-point roadmap for the speedy, safe, dignified and voluntary repatriation of Rohingya refugees to their homes in Myanmar’s Rakhine State, urging stronger global action to resolve the protracted crisis.
“The time for action is now. We must not be held hostage to mere rhetoric,” Yunus said while addressing the Stakeholders’ Dialogue in Cox’s Bazar as chief guest.
He stressed that the Rohingya crisis is not Bangladesh’s burden alone but a collective responsibility of the international community, and that the issue must remain high on the global agenda until a sustainable solution is achieved.
Marking the 8th Rohingya Genocide Remembrance Day, participants observed a minute’s silence, while a documentary highlighted the plight of the displaced population. Bangladesh’s National Security Adviser Dr Khalilur Rahman, Foreign Secretary Asad Alam Siam, and UNHCR Assistant High Commissioner Raouf Mazou also spoke, calling for concrete steps towards safe repatriation.
The Seven Proposals
Ensure speedy, safe, voluntary and sustainable repatriation to Rakhine.
Fill funding gaps in the 2025–26 Joint Response Plan and guarantee long-term donor support.
Stop attacks in Myanmar, ensure Rohingya security, prevent fresh outflows, and enable IDPs’ return.
Create an inclusive platform for reconciliation and restoration of rights.
ASEAN, neighbors, and international actors must foster peace and curb cross-border crimes.
Stand firmly against ethnic cleansing and adjust ties with Myanmar accordingly.
Support ICJ and ICC processes to ensure justice for genocide and crimes against humanity.
Prof Yunus said the crisis originated in Myanmar, and its resolution lies there. “All parties must act with greater resolve without further delay,” he urged, adding that solidarity with Rohingya voices could be a “beacon of hope” for their safe return.
He recalled that during last Ramadan, UN Secretary-General António Guterres and he joined an iftar in Cox’s Bazar with over 100,000 Rohingyas, where their “deep longing to return home” was evident.
Bangladesh currently shelters 1.3 million Rohingyas, with around 32,000 babies born annually in the camps. Yunus warned of the heavy toll on Bangladesh’s resources, environment and host communities, while reaffirming that no domestic resources remain to address the crisis without international backing.
“The international community’s effective role is now more urgent than ever,” he said, acknowledging continued support from donors, UN agencies and global partners.
The three-day conference, Stakeholders’ Dialogue: Takeaways to the High-Level Conference on Rohingya Situation, began Sunday. Its recommendations will feed into the upcoming UN high-level conference in New York on September 30.
