Empty Rhetoric on Rohingya Repatriation: Behind ‘Return After Eid’ Promises Lies a Secret Plan for Granting Citizenship!

Special Correspondent

The assurance given by Chief Advisor Dr. Muhammad Yunus to UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres that “the Rohingya will return to their homeland before the upcoming Eid” has now been questioned and proven to be an empty promise. Yunus made this promise during Iftar with Guterres at the Rohingya camp in Ukhiya, Cox’s Bazar last March, which instilled hope among the Rohingya. But with no progress even after 8 months, the question arises – “Is this just a tactic to control public opinion?” or is it part of his usual rhetoric.

Yunus’ 7-point roadmap

During the visit of UN Secretary-General Guterres, Dr. Yunus presented a 7-point proposal for the return of the Rohingya. It included international pressure for their safe return to Rakhine State, negotiations with Myanmar’s Arakan Army, and UN mediation. “The Rohingya want the world to hear their voice. We will work with the UN to ensure that they celebrate the next Eid in Rakhine,” Yunus said, inspiring hope among the millions of Rohingya in the camps.

But in September, at a high-level meeting proposed by Yunus at the UN General Assembly, the Myanmar junta government named only 180,000 Rohingya out of 1.4 million Rohingya on the first list for return. Even that has not made any progress in implementing it to date.

According to the UN, there are currently 976,507 Rohingyas sheltering in 33 camps in Cox’s Bazar, 58% of whom are women and children. According to the 2025 Joint Response Plan (JRP), $934.5 million in funding is needed, but only 37% has been collected, resulting in a reduction in food aid from $12.5 to $6 per person.

There is a huge difference between the data provided by the UN and the data collected locally. In 2017, more than 1 million Rohingya entered Bangladesh. More than 60,000 children are born every year. Accordingly, this number has increased significantly. In addition, about 500,000 Rohingya have been in Bangladesh for several periods since the 1980s. In addition, there are a large number of Rohingya who entered through various borders, came from India, and fled to Bangladesh to blend into the mainstream population. In addition, another 150,000-200,000 Rohingya entered Bangladesh at the beginning of this year.

As a result, responsible individuals from various organizations working on the Rohingya issue believe that the information provided by the UN is not accurate.

Khalilur Rahman’s questionable role

In November last year, the Yunus government appointed US citizen Khalilur Rahman, alias Roger Rahman, as its high-level representative on Rohingya issues. According to the Yunus government, Khalilur had represented LDCs (least developed countries) at the United Nations and had a PhD from Harvard, aiming to create international pressure by using his experience. But Khalilur’s assigned responsibilities quickly changed: in April, he was made national security adviser. He then became busy with trade agreements, tariff negotiations and diplomatic trips with China, India and Pakistan.

In April, Khalilur Rahman said, “Rohingya return depends on the stability of Rakhine.” But some of Khalilur Rahman’s unpopular decisions have complicated relations with Myanmar.

The “humanitarian corridor” (a special supply channel for the Rakhine rebel groups) and the use of “ARSA” against the Arakan Army, both of which have damaged trust between the Arakan Army and the Myanmar junta government, diplomats believe, is the result of Khalilur Rahman’s inexperience. The Myanmar junta has since expelled Bangladesh’s ambassador and military attaché. These important posts have been vacant since then, indicating a deterioration in diplomatic relations. In May, Bangladesh was forced to recall its ambassador, Monowar Hossain, on charges of having links with the Arakan Army.

Arrangements to permanently settle Rohingyas in camps

Information collected from the Teknaf-Ukhiyar camps suggests that the Yunus government is arranging permanent housing for the Rohingya. Under the JRP 2025, plans are underway to relocate 100,000 Rohingya to Bhasanchar Island, which is seen as a “permanent shelter.”

Local sources say that Bangladesh is leaning towards a “compromised” settlement for the Rohingya, as relations with the Arakan Army have deteriorated and diplomatic relations with the junta have failed.

Rohingya leaders say, “We want to return, but Dr. Yunus’s initiative seems to want to keep us here.”

According to the UN, 150,000 new Rohingya arrived in the first half of 2025, increasing pressure on the camps. But camp officials say the number is much higher.

Using Rohingyas in the movement under attractive conditions, including granting them citizenship

In July-August, in a conspiracy to overthrow the Awami League government, various extremist militant groups like BNP, Jamaat-e-Islami, Hefazat-e-Islam and Hizb-ut-Tahrir used a large portion of the 1.4 million Rohingyas residing in Bangladesh. They were given various attractive promises including citizenship in Bangladesh and employment. As a result, about 1.5 million Rohingyas became active in the July riots and engaged in violence. This information was revealed in reports from various independent organizations.

Experts believe this is also one of the reasons why many unidentified bodies in July-August have not been identified by any family members.

Several important pieces of information were also learned from the search for information on the missing youths from the camp and from locals in the Teknaf-Ukhia camp area.

The latest information says that as of the time of writing this report (November 20), at least 10,000 Rohingya who went to Dhaka to participate in the movement have not returned to the camps. However, according to locals and former Rohingyas, this number is in the millions. They said that many of the missing are working as thieves, robbers, and hired terrorists in various areas including Chittagong and Dhaka.

A senior Bangladeshi official working for a foreign organization working with the Rohingya said on condition of anonymity, “The Rohingya are brave, but very violent, they get into arguments and fights over trivial matters. I wouldn’t be surprised if those who were at the forefront of the violence against the police in July-August were Rohingya. We see their horrific activities in the camps all the time.”

There have been allegations that a large number of Rohingyas were given citizenship or NID cards under the direct supervision of Dr. Yunus’ interim government, which is seen as a “reward” for the July conspiracy. Rohingyas have even been named as July fighters and martyrs. Which is a big proof that they are being used in a conspiracy to overthrow the government.

Although the work of updating the voter list has begun, information is coming from various areas that no Election Commission staff has visited any area so far to update the list or collect the names of new voters. However, the fact that the voter list is being updated in the office makes the citizenship information of the Rohingyas more credible.

Experts say the Yunus government’s Rohingya policy lacks willpower. Despite the complex relationship with the Myanmar junta and the Arakan Army, border security and economic pressures, the government is leaning towards permanent settlement rather than repatriation.

The UN report said, “A solution to the Rohingya crisis is not possible without return, but Bangladesh’s capacity is limited.”

“There was talk of returning after Eid, but now Eid has passed. Will we stay here forever?” said a long-time Rohingya leader in the camp.

The Yunus government’s reassuring assurances are just rhetoric. The Rohingya themselves are considering it as a strategy to make the Rohingyas permanent in this country. Analysts believe that if the Rohingya crisis is not resolved, Bangladesh’s socio-economic stability will be further jeopardized.