The Rohingya are the most persecuted minority group in the world. Such persecution has forced Rohingya women, girls, boys and men into Bangladesh for many years, with significant spikes following violent attacks in 1978, 1991-1992, and again in 2016. More than 700,000 were forced to flee from the northern Rakhine state in western Myanmar following a brutal military crackdown in 2017. Around 1.1 million are living in camps in Cox’s Bazar and Bashan Char in Bangladesh. At this point, there are more Rohingyas in Bangladesh than in Myanmar.
Bangladesh and Myanmar signed an agreement to repatriate this huge number of Rohingyas to Myanmar in 2017 and 2019. Two earlier attempts failed to repatriate the Rohingyas because Myanmar couldn’t ensure their safety if they returned home. It is true that the democratic authority was not paying attention to the repatriation of the Rohingyas in Myanmar. Bangladesh has raised the issue at every international forum, with the support of many countries. But Myanmar has been indifferent to international laws and norms. Some powers and vested interests may have been behind the scene. It is clear that, given the progress so far, the bilateral process is not working.
Owing to the advent of other crises around the world, such as COVID-19 and economic depression, the Rohingya issue lost global attention for a while. Moreover, in February 2021, the Myanmar military staged a coup and the Rohingya repatriation talks have been halted since then. Besides, there is a history of a strained relationship between the Myanmar Military and the Rohingya, most of whom think that their lives are more threatened than before. On top of that, the new military regime of Myanmar isn’t ready yet to talk with Bangladesh about a Rohingya repatriation.
Due to this crisis, the socio-economic and security situation of Bangladesh is worsening and there seems to be no other way except a repatriation, which has been a hanging case for the last five years.
The issue is currently at a deadlock and to bring momentum, Bangladesh needs a mediator to repatriate such a huge number of people. A strong, credible and neutral third party’s presence is necessary to resolve the differences and disagreements between the parties. Without resorting to violence, both Bangladesh and Myanmar can resolve their disagreements over Rohingya refugees’ repatriation by involving a mediator, namely, China, as it is evident that it is impossible for both of the countries to reach a solution without the help of a third party.
Why should China mediate?
China has good bilateral, strategic, military, economic and diplomatic relations with both Myanmar and Bangladesh. China can be a trusted, legal and functional mediator to resolve the repatriation of the Rohingya. It is powerful country that has credibility to get involved in this issue.
There is a saying that with great power comes great responsibility. China, as a heavyweight in international politics, should create an opportunity to serve the greater regional interest. Sometimes powerful states, such as China, need to get involved in mediating disputes of their allies. It is worth mentioning that, if China wants to be in a proper leadership role of global refugee governance, it must prioritize principles like refugee protection, such as the protection of refugees inside their own land and helping to repatriate the Rohingya refugees. This is a global responsibility for a powerful country like China.
China’s aspirations to become a superpower requires not only military or financial assistance but also soft power in situations like these. With comparative power rivalry with USA, China can play a play a constructive role here in this situation. Besides China has geopolitical and geo-strategic interests in both countries. Therefore, it would give its full commitments to resolving issues between both parties. China can offer an interest-based approach to both countries which will satisfy both of them.
China’s mediation so far
In 2019, China for the first time in international arena, played the role of mediator between Bangladesh and Myanmar and officially engaged in the Rohingya crisis. It was playing two cards at once to maintain its influence over the region. It has supported Myanmar in the global community also, including in the UN and in working with Bangladesh in the repatriation of Rohingya people.
In a significant development, the Chinese Communist Party (CPC) signed a memorandum of understanding with the government of Bangladesh to meditate with Myanmar regarding the repatriation. China also proposed a three-step solution to address the Rohingya issue:
First, ceasefire on the ground. Second, a bilateral dialogue between Bangladesh and Myanmar to reach a workable solution, and finally, poverty alleviation to tackle what it perceives as the root cause of the crisis.
In the mediation process, China might offer financial aid to people in the area to help improve their lives, while at the same time, use diplomacy to try to convince Bangladesh to stop deporting Rohingya refugees. It can also try to persuade Myanmar’s government to acknowledge the identity of the Rohingya people as its citizens. The Foreign Minister of China visited Bangladesh several times and has worked efficiently on the mediation process.
Bangladesh is hoping that the Chinese Foreign Minister’s upcoming visit to Dhaka in August might highlight the Rohingya issue. Meanwhile, a group of officials from Myanmar visited the Rohingya people in Bangladesh and a Chinese member was present, playing the role of mediator. If these mediations become successful, Bangladesh nd Myanmar can finally reach an agreement.
There is no doubt that the Rohingya crisis is a humanitarian issue. It is an issue of justice. The whole of South Asia and South East Asia may become volatile because of it. As a well-wisher, friend and partner in the development process and trade, Bangladesh can expect cooperation and support of China regarding the repatriation of Rohingya refugees to Myanmar. So, China should help and support Bangladesh and mediate in solving the crisis as soon as possible.
Needless to say that both China and Bangladesh are deeply involved in a crisis which is completely Myanmar’s domestic problem. China wanted Myanmar and Bangladesh to deal with the situation bilaterally instead of having multilateral intervening forums but that did not work. So now it has to negotiate with Myanmar diplomatically and bilaterally.
China should take concrete steps in favor of Bangladesh regarding the Rohingya refugees’ repatriation to Myanmar. A favorable situation should be created for the Rohingya refugees in Myanmar, where they can live without the fear of persecution.
*The writer is a retired government official of Bangladesh. . He is also currently writing his first book on Institutional Development and Bangladesh.
August 5, 2022
The viewpoints expressed by the authors do not necessarily reflect the opinions, viewpoints and editorial policies of Aequitas Review.
