New York / Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh
On September 28, 2026, Bangladesh Permanent Representative to the UN Ambassador Irene Khan gave an important interview to BBC World Service. She discussed Prime Minister Tareq Rahman’s speech at the United Nations General Assembly. Prime Minister Rahman called for immediate global action regarding the Rohingya crisis. Over 1.2 million refugees currently live in Bangladesh.
Prime Minister Tareq Rahman outlined a comprehensive plan during his address to global leaders. He called for a coordinated international roadmap to guide safe repatriation. He also requested an immediate increase in humanitarian assistance for camp residents.
Nine long years have passed since families fled brutal violence in Myanmar. Hundreds of thousands of adults and children lost their homes. They escaped across the border seeking safety and shelter. Today, they remain confined in congested refugee camps in Cox’s Bazar.
Life in the camps grows harder every passing day. Refugee children grow up under tough conditions. Around 30,000 babies are born in these camps every single year. These children know no life outside crowded shelters. Their future remains completely uncertain without proper education or opportunity.
Global aid for the refugees is falling fast. International attention continues to move toward other global conflicts. Humanitarian agencies struggle to maintain basic services. Food rations face frequent cuts. Healthcare centers lack necessary medical supplies. Water distribution networks operate under severe financial stress.
Ambassador Irene Khan made a direct appeal to the international community. She stated that the real crisis stems from declining global commitments. International partners must stand firmly beside Bangladesh during this difficult time. Bangladesh hosts the world’s largest refugee population despite serious land and resource constraints.
Providing daily humanitarian aid is essential for immediate survival. However, aid alone cannot fix the fundamental problem. Focusing only on relief efforts hides the political core of the crisis. The ultimate origin of this disaster lies inside Myanmar.
Therefore, the true solution must also happen inside Myanmar. The Rohingya people desperately want to return to their homeland. They wish to live with safety and full legal rights. They do not want to depend on foreign aid forever.
Ambassador Khan urged the United Nations to bring key parties to the negotiating table. Discussions must include Bangladesh, regional Asian nations, and Myanmar. Powerful distant countries with economic influence must also join. A clear political framework is required to ensure safe return.
Myanmar must accept responsibility for its own citizens. Conditions inside Myanmar must improve before safe repatriation can happen. The international community must provide support inside Myanmar to facilitate return. Returning families need guarantees of safety, security, and citizenship rights.
Historical precedent shows that voluntary repatriation requires strong diplomatic pressure. In 1978 and 1992, previous displacement crises saw refugees return home. Current diplomatic efforts must learn valuable lessons from those past experiences.
The United Nations Security Council must overcome internal divisions. Veto powers must unite behind a meaningful resolution on Myanmar. Strong international will is essential to secure dignity and peace for displaced families.
Nine years in temporary camps is an unbearable burden. Innocent people deserve safety, rights, and a place to call home. Global leaders must act decisively today to rebuild broken lives.
