Vast majority of Rohingyas set conditions for voluntary return home

An overwhelming 87 percent of Rohingya refugees have expressed reluctance to return to Myanmar unless a set of key conditions are fulfilled, according to findings that underscore the complex obstacles to voluntary repatriation efforts in the region.

The conditions cited by refugees include restoration of citizenship rights, guarantees of physical safety and freedom of movement, accountability mechanisms for those responsible for alleged atrocities, and assurances that returnees will not face discrimination or restrictions. The Rohingya have faced decades of marginalization in Myanmar, where they are denied citizenship and are classified as illegal migrants despite historical presence in the country.

The findings reflect the deep-rooted concerns among the refugee population in Bangladesh, where more than 900,000 Rohingya live in camps in Cox's Bazar. International organizations and humanitarian groups have repeatedly emphasized that any return process must be voluntary, safe, and dignified, with returnees given genuine agency in deciding whether to go back.

Bangladesh and the international community have been exploring pathways for sustainable returns, though progress has been limited by the absence of fundamental reforms within Myanmar. The conditions outlined by the refugee population suggest that meaningful resolution requires addressing systemic issues rather than simply facilitating logistics of movement across borders.