Rohingyas need protection

On January 7, The Daily Star published an op-ed titled "Rohingyas need protection, not relocation to Bashan Char". This is an excellent article that touches on the core issues related to the problem, including how to resettle the Rohingya refugees. Like all refugees, the Rohingyas depend on the goodwill of the host country to survive.

Bangladesh has so far been very welcoming to the Rohingyas who were driven off their land by Myanmar's army and Buddhist mobs. As such, it will be dangerous to repatriate them now without redressing the situation that drove them away in the first place.

Under the circumstances, Bangladesh should continue providing essential services for the refugees in the camps until new homes can be found in a third country. Mohammad Zaman is absolutely right when he says: “Rohingyas need protection, not relocation.”

Mahmood Elahi, Canada