Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus has called on Qatar to take a proactive leadership role in resolving the Rohingya crisis by leveraging its diplomatic influence to mobilize the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) for meaningful action.
Speaking at a roundtable session titled *”Social and Environmental Challenges of Forcibly Displaced People – Rohingya Issue”* on the second day of the Earthna Summit in Doha, Yunus emphasized that Qatar is well-positioned to lead OIC efforts in raising international pressure for the repatriation of Rohingya refugees currently sheltered in Bangladesh.
“In today’s complex geopolitical climate, Qatar’s solidarity and leadership can be instrumental in rallying OIC nations, securing greater international support, and enhancing fundraising efforts to facilitate Rohingya repatriation,” Yunus stated.
The roundtable brought together senior Bangladeshi officials, including Foreign Affairs Advisor Md Touhid Hossain, Energy Advisor Muhammad Fouzul Kabir Khan, National Security Advisor Khalilur Rahman, and Principal Coordinator for SDGs Lamia Morshed.
Yunus expressed deep concern over the protracted Rohingya crisis, which he said is straining Bangladesh’s resources and regional stability. He warned of rising criminal activity and illegal migration from the camps—clear indicators of growing desperation among the displaced population.
He also lamented the waning international attention toward the Rohingya crisis amid global conflicts, stressing that unresolved tensions could threaten broader peace and development in the region.
Presenting current figures, Yunus said Bangladesh had submitted a list of 829,036 Rohingya refugees to Myanmar for verification. As of March 19, Myanmar had verified 239,056 individuals, identifying 176,198 as residents of Myanmar—yet repatriation efforts remain stalled.
Highlighting Bangladesh’s ongoing diplomatic efforts, Yunus announced that a high-level UN conference on the plight of Rohingya Muslims and other persecuted minorities in Myanmar will be held in New York this September. He expressed hope for Qatar’s strong political engagement and support at the event.
Yunus commended the Qatar Foundation for hosting the discussion and moving beyond policy rhetoric to focus on actionable solutions and international accountability.
Reaffirming Bangladesh’s humanitarian stance, he stressed that sustainable, voluntary repatriation remains the only viable resolution. He also underscored the critical role of international justice mechanisms—such as the International Court of Justice (ICJ), the International Criminal Court (ICC), and the Independent Investigative Mechanism for Myanmar (IIMM)—in addressing the atrocities committed against the Rohingya.
“Crimes like genocide and crimes against humanity must not go unpunished,” Yunus declared, urging the global community to prioritize humanity, justice, and long-term solutions to one of the world’s most pressing refugee crises.
