Myanmar Confirms 180,000 Rohingya for Repatriation Amid Ongoing Uncertainty

Hadisur Rahman, Jadetimes Staff

H. Rahman is a Jadetimes news reporter covering Asia

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Image Source: Mohammad Ponir Hossain

In a long awaited development, Myanmar has confirmed that 180,000 Rohingya refugees currently residing in Bangladesh are eligible for repatriation, according to a statement from the Bangladeshi government. The announcement was made following a high level meeting held in Bangkok on the sidelines of the 6th BIMSTEC Summit, sparking cautious optimism among observers while raising critical questions among the refugees themselves.

What Does This Mean for the Repatriation Process?

The confirmation comes as part of a verification initiative involving a list of 800,000 Rohingya submitted by Bangladesh to Myanmar in six separate batches between 2018 and 2020. While the endorsement of 180,000 names may signal the first tangible progress in years, the figure represents only a fraction of the over one million Rohingya currently residing in sprawling refugee camps in southeastern Bangladesh.

Myanmar has also pledged to expedite the verification process for an additional 70,000 names, pending further examination of photographs and identity documentation. A further 550,000 names from the original list still await review. Despite this recent diplomatic engagement, Myanmar's government has not issued any formal statement in response to the outcomes of the Bangkok talks.

Background: Years of Displacement and Broken Promises

Most of the Rohingya refugees fled Myanmar’s Rakhine State in 2017, following a brutal military crackdown widely condemned by the international community as ethnic cleansing. Since then, they have remained stateless, marginalized, and confined to makeshift shelters in the world’s largest refugee settlement in Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh.

While attempts were made in 2018 and 2019 to begin voluntary repatriation, these initiatives collapsed as Rohingya refugees refused to return without guaranteed safety, citizenship, and civil rights all of which remain largely unaddressed.

Voices from the Ground: Hope Mixed with Skepticism

For many Rohingyas, the news brings more frustration than relief. Shafiqur Rahman, a refugee living in Bangladesh, voiced the sentiment of many when he told Reuters: “After all these years, they are confirming only 180,000 names. This feels like nothing more than an eyewash. We want a genuine solution.”

The skepticism is deeply rooted in the continued systematic denial of citizenship and fundamental rights to the Rohingya in Myanmar. Without a legally binding framework ensuring safety, dignity, and full reintegration, refugees fear that repatriation may become another hollow gesture.

Regional and International Implications

The recent talks were held between Bangladesh's high representative, Khalilur Rahman, under the interim government led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus, and Myanmar's Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Than Swe. This diplomatic engagement marks a rare moment of cooperation amid otherwise strained regional dynamics.

The announcement also follows increased regional attention on Myanmar, including the junta chief’s rare appearance at the Bangkok summit and international efforts to address humanitarian crises in the conflict ridden state.

A Tentative Step, but Is It Enough?

This recent confirmation of 180,000 names marks a potential shift in the long-stalled repatriation dialogue. However, without guarantees of citizenship, security, and rights, the core issues remain unresolved. Many refugees and rights advocates argue that the repatriation process must prioritize justice, inclusion, and long term reintegration not just numerical targets.

As the international community watches closely, the question remains: will this be the beginning of a sustainable solution or yet another chapter of unfulfilled promises for the Rohingya people?