Senior Correspondent, Dhaka:
Bangladesh has strongly challenged Myanmar’s latest claims over the Rohingya crisis, highlighting a widening gap between the two sides over facts, registration, and repatriation.
During a meeting with Myanmar Ambassador U Kyaw Soe Moe on Tuesday, Foreign Ministry Director General Md Toufique-ur-Rahman rejected figures and information contained in Myanmar’s August 15 statement, particularly those concerning the number of displaced Rohingyas. Dhaka argued that data recorded under the UN system provides a more reliable basis for determining the size of the Rohingya population in Bangladesh.
The disagreement over numbers is not merely statistical. Accurate registration is central to the verification process and, ultimately, to repatriation. Bangladesh therefore urged Myanmar to accelerate verification under existing bilateral arrangements while accounting for children born in the camps and Rohingyas who fled Rakhine after 2017.
Dhaka also said registration remains ongoing and that details of people registered beyond the 828,824 already recorded would be shared with Myanmar. This indicates that Bangladesh expects the verification process to reflect the current reality of the displaced population rather than rely on outdated figures.
Another important point was Bangladesh’s rejection of the term “Bangali” for the Rohingya population. Dhaka stressed that their distinct ethnic identity is recognized by Myanmar itself, making the terminology issue part of the broader dispute over responsibility and recognition.
Myanmar’s assurance that it will convey Bangladesh’s concerns and speed up verification offers some diplomatic space. However, progress will depend on whether both sides can bridge their differences over data and identity.
For Bangladesh, the central objective remains unchanged: safe, dignified, and voluntary repatriation to Rakhine remains the only sustainable solution.
