Eleven countries, including France and the UK, have commended Bangladeshโs hospitality to support the hundreds of thousands of Rohingya refugees who have fled their homeland in Myanmar since 2017.
In a statement on Monday, they also pledged to continue working with the Bangladesh government to maintain focus on the situation in Myanmar and the ongoing humanitarian emergency in Bangladesh.
Marking eight years since the mass influx of Rohingya from Myanmarโs Rakhine State into Bangladesh, 11 Western nations have reaffirmed their commitment to stand by Bangladesh.
The countries are Australia, Italy, the United Kingdom, Canada, the Netherlands, Norway, Denmark, Sweden, France, Switzerland and Finland.
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On Monday morning, the French Embassy in Dhaka released a joint statement through its official Twitter handle and Facebook page.
The statement said: โEight years on, we recall the actions of the Myanmar military which led to the displacement of a vast number of Rohingya people. Currently, over 1.1 million Rohingya remain in Bangladesh, with new arrivals continuing to seek refuge in camps.โ
The statement further stated: โWe commend the resilience and fortitude of the Rohingya, who have endured prolonged hardship and displacement. Their perseverance is especially notable in the face of the deteriorating security and humanitarian situation in Rakhine State.โ
The 11 nations statements declared: โWe extend our deep appreciation to the interim Government of Bangladesh and to the Bangladeshi people for providing shelter, safety and lifesaving humanitarian assistance to the Rohingya, including those newly arrived.โ
The statement emphasised that Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh wish to return to their homeland. It reiterated that the international community remains committed to exploring viable pathways for repatriation.
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However, cross-border displacement continues and many Rohingya remain internally displaced within Rakhine. Presently, conditions in Myanmar do not allow for their voluntary, safe, dignified and sustainable return.
In the joint statement, the 11 nations affirmed: โAddressing the root causes of displacement is essential, requiring a peaceful and stable Myanmar. Therefore, we acknowledge that it is not yet possible to set a definitive timeframe for Rohingya repatriation. We urgently call on all parties to take immediate steps towards creating a possible environment for return.โ
The statement added: โWe strongly condemn the violence and human rights violations committed by the Myanmar military and other armed groups. We once again call for an end to violence and for unimpeded humanitarian access. We also reiterate the demand for the release of those unjustly detained. We remain committed to supporting international efforts to ensure accountability for breaches of international humanitarian law and other grave violations of human rights.
โWe support more durable solutions for Rohingya refugees through strengthened self-reliance. In particular, as humanitarian funding for the crisis diminishes, we stress the importance of preparing them for eventual repatriation. We also reaffirm our support for the host communities in Coxโs Bazar, who have generously extended hospitality to the refugees.
โWe underline the importance of ensuring meaningful participation and inclusive representation of the Rohingya, so that they are empowered in decision-making and able to lead safe, dignified and constructive lives while in Bangladesh. Eight years on, the international community stands steadfastly with the Rohingya and Bangladesh in seeking long-term and sustainable solutions. We remain committed to addressing the root causes of this crisis.โ
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