11.89 lakh Rohingyas now in Bangladesh: Foreign Minister

Published : Tuesday, 28 April, 2026 at 7:56 PM Count : 10

Foreign Minister Dr Khalilur Rahman on Tuesday told Parliament that the number of Rohingyas displaced from Myanmar and currently sheltered in Bangladesh stands at some 11.89 lakh.

“According to the UNHCR report dated April 13, 2026, the current number of Rohingya community people displaced from Myanmar, a country bordering Bangladesh, is 11,89,213 (in Bangladesh),” he said, while replying to a starred question from treasury bench member Emran Ahmed Chowdhury (Sylhet-6).

Earlier, Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmad, Bir Bikram, tabled the question-and-answer session at the outset of the House sitting that began at 3:00pm.

Noting that the government believes in a peaceful solution to the Rohingya crisis, Dr Khalilur focused on the visionary leadership of late president Ziaur Rahman to complete repatriation of all the 200,000 Rohingyas who arrived in Bangladesh in 1978 and the successful leadership of former prime minister Khaleda Zia to send back 236,000 out of 250,000 Rohingyas arrived in 1992.

In the same trend, diplomatic initiatives are underway under the leadership of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman to safely send the Rohingya people back to their home country at the earliest possible time on the basis of mutual understanding, he added.

“Using our previous successful experiences, we have undertaken a multi-faceted diplomatic effort in the light of our election manifesto. We have continued our diplomatic engagement with the international community to find a sustainable solution to this crisis,” said the Foreign Minister.

Besides, Bangladesh continues to provide its moral and diplomatic support in international judicial processes, particularly the ongoing judicial process at the International Court of Justice (ICJ), to ensure Myanmar's accountability for this humanitarian disaster, he said.

Referring to a genocide case against Myanmar, which is currently pending at the International Court of Justice, he said, “The case has already reached an important stage - written and oral hearings have been completed and several countries have participated in it. The court's verdict is expected soon,” he said.

Although Bangladesh is not formally a party to the case, it has played a significant role through the OIC and has been providing various forms of assistance, including financial assistance, he added.

The International Criminal Court (ICC) is conducting an investigation into crimes against humanity committed against the Rohingya, he said, adding that an arrest warrant has been sought against Myanmar’s top leadership over allegations including forced displacement and persecution.

“Bangladesh is fully cooperating with this investigation, including providing evidence,” he said.

He also mentioned Bangladesh’s active support to the UN-established Independent Investigative Mechanism for Myanmar, which is collecting evidence of serious international crimes.

Besides, he said, an arrest warrant issued against senior Myanmar officials in a case filed in Argentina the principle of universal jurisdiction marked another important step toward ensuring accountability.

“The clear stand of the government is that the only sustainable solution to the Rohingya crisis is to ensure their safe, voluntary and dignified repatriation to their home country, Myanmar,” he said.

He said Bangladesh strongly supports the ongoing international judicial process to establish justice for the atrocities and human rights violations committed against the Rohingyas.

Bangladesh is providing necessary assistance to international courts and various investigative processes so that those responsible can be held accountable, he went on.

“Overall, Bangladesh has maintained a steadfast position and active activities on the Rohingya issue to fulfill its humanitarian responsibilities, establish international justice, and ensure a lasting and peaceful solution,” said the Foreign Minister.

FP/MI