Rohingya leaders declare plans for self-managed repatriation to Myanmar amid frustration over international inaction
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UKHIA, Cox’s Bazar — Rohingya leaders declared Tuesday that they will no longer rely on international organizations for their repatriation to Myanmar, asserting that they are developing their own strategy to return to Rakhine State. Speaking at a massive gathering marking the ninth anniversary of their exodus, community leaders stated that agencies such as the UNHCR, WFP, and IOM currently lack a concrete roadmap for their safe return.
The event, organized by the United Council of Rohingya (UCR) at the Lambashia refugee camp in Ukhia, drew an estimated 150,000 participants. The rally commemorated August 25, 2017—the day a major military crackdown in Myanmar forced hundreds of thousands of Rohingya to flee across the border into Bangladesh. The community observes this date annually as Genocide Day.
During the proceedings, UCR President Jahangir Alam criticized the international community for providing years of empty assurances. He stated that neither the Myanmar government nor the Arakan Army, the armed group currently controlling parts of Rakhine, desires the return of the Rohingya. Alam emphasized that because international bodies lack a viable repatriation plan, the refugees must take the initiative to secure their own future in their homeland.
Syed Ullah, founder of the UCR, echoed these sentiments, declaring that this would be the final time the community relies on international promises. He indicated that a roadmap for return is currently being drafted by the refugees themselves and will be revealed at the appropriate time. Following the speeches, the attendees held prayers for those killed during the 2017 atrocities and reiterated their demands for justice.
The commemoration extended beyond the main rally, with protests, human chains, and peaceful gatherings reported across all 33 refugee camps in Ukhia and Teknaf. Despite the scale of the events, local authorities reported no incidents of unrest.
Mohammad Mizanur Rahman, the Refugee Relief and Repatriation Commissioner (RRRC), confirmed that the commemorations were conducted peacefully. He noted that while the Rohingya expressed deep frustration and a desire to return home, they also conveyed gratitude to the Bangladesh government for providing long-term shelter. Rahman added that Bangladesh remains committed to pursuing sustainable and safe repatriation efforts.
More than 1.4 million Rohingya are currently sheltered in the camps of Ukhia and Teknaf, with approximately 800,000 arriving during the 2017 crisis. Despite ongoing diplomatic efforts, no official repatriation has occurred in the past nine years. The situation remains complex, as the population in the camps has continued to grow, with over 154,000 new arrivals recorded in the last 18 months alone.
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