ASEAN Reaffirms Support for Voluntary Rohingya Repatriation Amid Fears of Aid Collapse in Bangladesh
The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting the voluntary and dignified return of displaced Rohingya refugees to Myanmar, even as the UN warns that humanitarian assistance for over a million refugees in Bangladesh is on the brink of collapse.
Meeting in Kuala Lumpur this week, ASEAN foreign ministers reiterated their “continued support” for peace, stability, and the rule of law in Myanmar’s conflict-ridden Rakhine State. They emphasized the importance of fostering reconciliation and ensuring security for all communities in the region, particularly through the safe and voluntary repatriation of the Rohingya.
The Rohingya, a mostly Muslim ethnic minority, have faced decades of persecution in Myanmar and were subjected to a brutal military crackdown in 2017, which the UN has described as possible genocide. Over a million now reside in refugee camps in Bangladesh.
While the ASEAN joint statement did not name the Rohingya explicitly, it welcomed ongoing cooperation between Myanmar and Bangladesh on bilateral repatriation of verified displaced persons and noted the bloc’s willingness to continue facilitating the process.
ASEAN also acknowledged Myanmar’s broader internal conflicts and pledged support for national efforts to achieve long-term peace and development, particularly in Rakhine State.
Meanwhile, the United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR) has issued a dire warning about the worsening funding crisis for Rohingya aid programs in Bangladesh.
“There is a huge gap between what we need and what we have,” said UNHCR spokesperson Babar Baloch in Geneva. “These shortfalls directly threaten essential services like food, healthcare, and education, all of which Rohingya refugees depend on daily.”
Myanmar’s military junta, which seized power in February 2021, remains largely isolated on the international stage and has been barred from participating in ASEAN meetings. Despite ongoing unrest, the junta has announced plans to hold national elections by the end of this year or early next year.
Myanmar is currently facing a genocide case at the International Court of Justice over its treatment of the Rohingya population.
