Border News Agency
Dhaka – June 20, 2025
On the occasion of World Refugee Day, BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman has called on the Bangladesh government to intensify diplomatic efforts and increase pressure on Myanmar to ensure the safe, dignified, and voluntary repatriation of Rohingya refugees.
In a message posted on his official Facebook page, Tarique Rahman said the prolonged stay of more than 1.4 million Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh has created serious socio-economic and security challenges for the host country. He emphasized that the repatriation process must be carried out in a way that guarantees the rights and safety of the Rohingya community.
“We urge the interim government to intensify diplomatic efforts and put sustained pressure on Myanmar for the safe, dignified, and voluntary repatriation of the Rohingyas,” Tarique Rahman stated.
The BNP leader also urged the international community to fulfill its responsibilities by taking effective action to resolve what he termed as one of the world’s most serious humanitarian crises. He stressed that hosting such a large refugee population should not be seen merely as Bangladesh’s burden, but as a global issue that requires a united and principled response.
He further added, “Let us renew our commitment towards implementing and adhering to peaceful and just systems that ensure no refugee is left behind when returning home.”
World Refugee Day, observed annually on June 20, aims to raise awareness about the plight of refugees around the world. Bangladesh has been hosting a massive Rohingya population since the violent military crackdown in Myanmar’s Rakhine State in 2017, which forced hundreds of thousands to flee across the border.
Despite several repatriation attempts with Myanmar under UN oversight, the return process has remained stalled due to security concerns and the absence of citizenship guarantees for the Rohingya in Myanmar.
