As the global community prepares for a critical conference in New York, Bangladesh is set to intensify its call for a permanent solution to the protracted Rohingya refugee crisis. With over a million Rohingya, a predominantly Muslim ethnic minority from Myanmar’s Rakhine State, still sheltering in sprawling camps in Cox’s Bazar, the urgency for a sustainable resolution has never been clearer. Dhaka aims to leverage this international platform to press for safe repatriation and accountability, amid growing domestic pressures and stalled bilateral efforts with Myanmar.
A Crisis Without End
The Rohingya crisis, often described as one of the world’s most pressing humanitarian disasters, traces its roots to decades of systemic discrimination and violence in Myanmar. The situation escalated dramatically in 2017, when a military crackdown in Rakhine State—described by the United Nations as bearing the hallmarks of genocide—forced over 700,000 Rohingya to flee across the border into Bangladesh. Today, nearly 1.2 million Rohingya remain in makeshift camps, dependent on humanitarian aid and confined to conditions that Bangladeshi officials describe as unsustainable.
Bangladesh, a densely populated nation with its own economic challenges, has borne the brunt of hosting this displaced population for over seven years. The strain on local resources, infrastructure, and social cohesion in Cox’s Bazar has fueled domestic calls for a resolution. While Dhaka has repeatedly emphasized its commitment to humanitarian principles, officials are clear that the current situation cannot persist indefinitely. The upcoming conference in New York, tied to the United Nations General Assembly, offers a pivotal opportunity to rally international support for a lasting solution. 
Bangladesh’s Agenda in New York
At the heart of Bangladesh’s strategy is the push for safe, voluntary, and dignified repatriation of the Rohingya to Myanmar. This has been a consistent demand since the crisis erupted, but progress has been stymied by political instability in Myanmar, particularly following the military coup in February 2021. The junta’s grip on power has further complicated negotiations, with little evidence of willingness to create conditions conducive to the Rohingya’s return.
Bangladeshi officials are expected to urge the international community to pressure Myanmar’s military regime to guarantee the safety and rights of returning refugees. This includes citizenship recognition—a core grievance for the Rohingya, who have long been denied legal status in Myanmar—and protection from further violence. Dhaka also seeks greater involvement from the United Nations and regional bodies like ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) to mediate and monitor any repatriation process.
Beyond repatriation, Bangladesh is likely to advocate for accountability mechanisms. The country has supported international efforts to investigate alleged atrocities in Rakhine State, including through the International Criminal Court (ICC) and the International Court of Justice (ICJ), where a case accusing Myanmar of genocide is ongoing. At the New York conference, Dhaka may call for stronger global backing of these legal processes, framing justice as a prerequisite for sustainable peace.
Challenges to Repatriation
Despite Bangladesh’s persistent efforts, the path to repatriation remains fraught with obstacles. Myanmar’s military government has shown scant commitment to addressing the root causes of the Rohingya exodus. While bilateral agreements between Dhaka and Naypyidaw in 2017 and 2018 outlined frameworks for return, implementation has been negligible. Pilot repatriation attempts have failed, with refugees citing fears of persecution and lack of guarantees for their safety.
The situation is further complicated by Myanmar’s internal conflict. Since the 2021 coup, the country has descended into widespread violence, with resistance groups clashing with the military across multiple regions, including Rakhine State. Recent reports from trusted regional outlets indicate that fighting between the Arakan Army, an ethnic armed organization, and Myanmar’s military has displaced additional communities, rendering the area even less stable for potential returns.
Within Bangladesh, frustration is mounting. The government has explored alternative solutions, including relocating some refugees to Bhasan Char, a remote island in the Bay of Bengal. While officials argue this move alleviates pressure on Cox’s Bazar, human rights groups have raised concerns about the island’s vulnerability to natural disasters and limited access to services. Dhaka insists the relocations are voluntary, but the initiative underscores the desperation for interim measures as long-term solutions remain elusive.
International and Regional Dynamics
The Rohingya crisis is not merely a bilateral issue between Bangladesh and Myanmar; it carries significant regional and global implications. ASEAN, of which Myanmar is a member, has faced criticism for its muted response, constrained by its principle of non-interference in member states’ internal affairs. While individual ASEAN countries like Malaysia and Indonesia have expressed solidarity with the Rohingya, the bloc as a whole has struggled to forge a unified stance. Bangladesh may use the New York platform to appeal directly to ASEAN leaders for more proactive engagement.
Globally, the response has been uneven. Major powers, including the United States and European Union, have imposed sanctions on Myanmar’s military leaders and condemned the violence against the Rohingya. Yet, humanitarian funding for the refugee camps in Bangladesh has dwindled in recent years, with aid agencies warning of critical shortfalls. Dhaka is expected to highlight this gap, urging donor nations to renew their financial commitments while pushing for political action to address the crisis’s root causes.
China and India, both influential players in the region, present additional complexities. China, with significant economic interests in Myanmar, has often shielded the country from harsher international criticism at the UN Security Council. India, meanwhile, balances its relationship with Bangladesh against its own domestic and strategic concerns regarding Myanmar. Bangladesh will need to navigate these geopolitical currents carefully to build a broad coalition of support in New York.
Domestic Pressures and Public Sentiment
Within Bangladesh, the prolonged presence of the Rohingya has sparked tensions. Local communities in Cox’s Bazar, initially sympathetic to the refugees’ plight, have grown weary of sharing limited resources. Reports of deforestation, strained water supplies, and competition for jobs have fueled resentment, occasionally erupting into clashes. The Bangladeshi government faces the delicate task of managing these domestic concerns while maintaining its humanitarian stance on the global stage.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s administration has repeatedly emphasized that Bangladesh cannot bear the burden alone. The government has invested heavily in camp infrastructure and security, but officials argue that international solidarity must translate into concrete action. With national elections on the horizon, the Rohingya issue could become a flashpoint, as opposition parties question the government’s handling of the crisis and its diplomatic efforts with Myanmar.
The Human Cost at the Forefront
Amid the geopolitical maneuvering and policy debates, the human toll of the crisis remains staggering. In Cox’s Bazar, generations of Rohingya children are growing up without access to formal education or a clear path to a future. Health challenges, including malnutrition and mental trauma, are rampant, exacerbated by the overcrowded conditions of the camps. Aid workers report a pervasive sense of hopelessness among refugees, many of whom have lost family members to violence or the perilous journey across the border.
For the Rohingya, the New York conference represents a faint glimmer of hope, though skepticism abounds. Past international gatherings have yielded promises of support, but tangible progress has been slow. The question remains whether Bangladesh’s renewed push can galvanize the global community to move beyond rhetoric and deliver a framework for repatriation, justice, and rebuilding.
Looking Ahead: A Test for Global Resolve
As Bangladesh prepares its case for the New York conference, the stakes could not be higher. A permanent solution to the Rohingya crisis demands not only diplomatic resolve but also a willingness to confront uncomfortable truths about accountability and state responsibility. Dhaka’s call for repatriation and justice will test the international community’s commitment to upholding human rights in the face of complex geopolitical realities.
Whether the conference yields meaningful progress or becomes another chapter of unfulfilled promises remains to be seen. For now, the eyes of over a million displaced Rohingya—and the nation hosting them—turn to New York, awaiting a breakthrough that could finally pave the way home.
