Protracted crisis in Rakhine now poses direct threat to regional stability, he says

National Security Adviser (NSA) Dr Khalilur Rahman has stressed the need for collective action among neighbouring countries to curb trans-boundary organised crimes originating from conflict-hit Myanmar.

Briefing reporters after the concluding session of 'Stakeholders' Dialogue' in the beach town of Cox's Bazar on Monday night, Dr Rahman shed light on the six key recommendations made during the discussion in the thematic sessions, including ⁠addressing insecurity. Foreign Secretary Asad Alam Siam, Chief Adviser's Deputy Press Secretary Abul Kalam Azad Majumder and Director General (Public Diplomacy) at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Shah Asif Rahman were present at the media briefing. This protracted crisis in Rakhine now poses a direct threat to regional stability, Dr Rahman said.

"Hence the participants called for more proactive roles from neighboring countries to stabilise Rakhine through concrete actions under the auspices of ASEAN, UN and concerned partners," he mentioned. Highlighting the amplification of ⁠Rohingya voices, Khalilur Rahman said Rohingya representatives made an emphatic and clear call for their dignified return with safety and dignity, restoration of their rights, restitution of property, freedom of movement and accountability for genocidal atrocities. On accountability and justice front, Dr Khalilur said the discussants urged for full support of all relevant stakeholders to international fact-finding mechanisms and International Courts such as IIMM, ICJ and ICC.

"The international community must ensure that Myanmar authorities and the Arakan Army comply with the ICJ's provisional measures which are legally binding," he said. While Bangladesh reaffirms its commitment to the Rohingya cause, it stressed on its severe resource constraints. Bangladesh insists that the international community must share the burden equitably.

On⁠ ⁠sustainable roadmap for repatriation, Dr Khalilur said the Rohingya crisis ensued in Myanmar and hence the solution lies in Myanmar. He said authorities in Rakhine and Nay Pyi Taw must take necessary actions to create a conducive environment for safe, dignified and sustainable return of the Rohingyas to their ancestral homeland.

Dr Khalilur said an urgent appeal for continued resource mobilisation was made which can be materialised through enhanced commitment from the donor communities, diversification of donors and equitable sharing of burden to avert extremely dire situations. On ⁠confidence-building measures, Dr Rahman said a call was made to initiate confidence building measures involving relevant stakeholders as an essential step to stop the crisis. He said Myanmar and Rakhine authorities must dismantle internal displacement camps in Sittwe and northern Rakhine, which some of the speakers termed as concentration camps. "At the same time, they must allow the people of the camps to return to their homes," Dr Khalilur said.

Despite various discriminatory laws, Rohingyas exercised their voting rights in 2011, not long ago. Dr Rahman said it is an imperative for Myanmar to restore that right and allow them to exercise their voting rights. In the process, he said, continued marginalisation has to be reversed and rights and human dignity of the Rohingyas as the most persecuted community must be restored.