The opposition of China, Russia on Monday’s meeting at the United Nations Security Council provides little hope for any stringent actions against Myanmar to repatriate the Rogingya refugees. While the US and other countries were ready for tougher actions, China and Russia’s usual insistence on bilateral solution to the problem between Bangladesh and Myanmar made the meeting nothing but a wasted diplomatic endeavor.
Meanwhile, the plight of the thousands of Rohingya refugees, now sheltered in Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh continues. As the monsoon rains begin, no one knows the future of nearly 7,00000 Rohingya refugees, who are confined to tents made of bamboo and tarpaulin. To aggravate the matter, following newspaper reports, thousands of lives are endangered because of potential landslides and floods and they require immediate evacuation.
Moreover, Myanmar is now launching a global charm offensive to persuade many other countries against Bangladesh by blaming the latter for delaying the Rohingya repatriation process. Through dexterous diplomatic maneuvering they are forcing her development and military allies to turn a blind eye to the mass murder and persecution of the Rohingyas whom they do not even consider as their citizens.
The worst side is that, being the host country of the tortured humanity, Bangladesh has a few cards to play against Myanmar’s persecution and its forceful evacuation of Rohingyas. Any positive outcome through diplomatic means for the safe return of the Rohingya refugees looks like a distant dream in the present situation due to the reluctance of China, India or Russia.
Without bigger political pressures or financial sanctions, Myanmar is not likely to pay heed to mere diplomatic sermons. The country is also taking advantage of the present global context where the rise of authoritarian leaders and the downfall of democratic rights have become the order of the day in many parts of the world.
Bangladesh must explore newest avenues to exert pressure on Myanmar in a meaningful way. For instance, Mahathir Mohammad’s victory as Malaysian Prime Minister may allow him to play a more constructive role to win greater support for Rohingyas in the ASEAN political framework where Myanmar is a member. Similarly, track two diplomatic initiatives e.g. engaging journalists, civil society members and conscientious citizens of Myanmar can be of some benefit in raising awareness in their own country.
Despite all these, no one knows when these initiatives would provide us with the desired result. Until then, Rohingya people will cry, their children will cry, the rape victims and pregnant women will cry. They would cry more now for living in an inhumane environment amid high possibility of heavy downpour, floods and landslides.