The Bangladesh government should provide the Rohingya refugees with livelihood opportunities as their repatriation to Myanmar would not be taking place anytime soon, said diplomats yesterday.

"We are holding Myanmar accountable in the United Nations Security Council. However, the current dispositions in the security council do not make it easy," said Robert Chatterton Dickson, the British high commissioner to Bangladesh.

Dickson's comments came at a programme organised by the Bangladesh Centre for Indo-Pacific Affairs, a platform founded by the faculty members of the Department of International Relations at Jahangirnagar University, at the Amari Dhaka.

"We are making sure that the Rohingya conflict is not forgotten among the many conflicts in the world. However, there is a need for the Rohingyas to lead a decent life here -- ideally, livelihood-generating activity, or at least voluntary activity."

To penalise Myanmar for the Rohingya genocide, the UK is discouraging trade relations with the Southeast Asian nation, Dickson said.

"The UK has an extremely small foreign direct investment in Myanmar. We actively discourage British companies from supporting the regime," Dickson added.

Livelihood opportunities must be allowed inside the camps because this will cut down on crime, said Ito Naoki, the Japanese ambassador to Bangladesh.

Private companies should be allowed to hire Rohingya refugees under special arrangements.

"Japan supports the relocation policy to Bhashan Char to alleviate the harsh conditions in the Cox's camps. However, I felt that we need to build a more sustainable framework on the island. There is a lack of facilities and refugees are frustrated by the lack of employment opportunities."

Further funding will help, he said, adding that Japan is ready to cooperate for early repatriation of the Rohingyas.

"But the task is challenging because of the situation on the other side of the border," Naoki added.

Canada has been persuading ASEAN countries to speak out against the atrocities perpetrated by Myanmar, said Lilly Nicholls, its high commissioner in Bangladesh.

"This is a regional and a global crisis and so will not see a swift solution. There are superpowers who are allies of Myanmar. The Rohingyas are not able to return at the moment. It is important not to exploit that for political reasons."

Canada has imposed some of the strongest sanctions on Myanmar and halted arms sales and financial aid, Nicholls added.

The conditions in Myanmar do not allow for a safe return of the Rohingyas, said Arturo Hines, the political section chief at the US embassy in Dhaka.

"Things have gotten worse. Almost every day they persecute their own people, their minorities. This shows no sign of ending and yet some countries continue to give them arms and technical assistance."

Until this is addressed, the door remains shut for the Rohingyas. Subsequently, there is a need to transition from an emergency response to a more sustainable response, Hines added.

Malaysian High Commissioner Haznah Md Hashim pressed the need for proactive action to bring the crisis to a solution.

"We are currently hosting 200,000 Rohingya refugees too although it is not a lot compared to Bangladesh," Hashim added.

There has been no genuine effort from the neighbouring states in repatriating the Rohingyas as early as possible, said Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal.

"Bangladesh has been practising political patience and the armed forces are showing maximum patience even during instances of clear violation of international law. We continue to witness mortars and shells falling into our territory," he added.

Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen echoed the same.

"The ongoing armed conflict is an internal matter of Myanmar. This conflict is not a bilateral issue -- this is completely created by Myanmar."

There is a large-scale military movement within close proximity of the border without notification of the border guards.

"We are deeply concerned. If the situation aggravates in Myanmar, more people will attempt to enter Bangladesh -- this will be foiled by our border guards."

The situation in the camps is becoming untenable too, Momen said. "They are undertaking unlawful ventures -- these destitute people are being used for the smuggling of arms and drugs."

The international efforts to re-establish democracy in Myanmar cannot leave the Rohingyas out of the equation.

"Peace and stability in Myanmar are not possible without the Rohingyas."

The targeted sanctions on a few people will not work for Myanmar, and the world must take a tougher stance.

"International justice and accountability will be critical for a sustainable solution. We are against impunity," Momen added.

Despite economic constraints Bangladesh has given shelter to the Rohingya refugees, said Nurul Islam, president of the London-based Arakan Rohingya National Organisation.

"On the other hand, the international community is not taking as much of an interest in the issue. The international community is failing again and again," he added.

Professor Ky Thying Aung, a representative of the Rakhine Community from Cox's Bazar, spoke about how Rakhines were historically driven into Bangladesh by ethnic cleansing.

Rakhines have also gone through periods of persecution. As many as 8 million people had been killed during 18 and 19th century and so they had to migrate to Bangladesh.

"Myanmar has an issue with minorities," he said, adding that because of historical events dating back to the second World War, there are tensions between the Rohingyas and the Rakhine Buddhists.

Rohingyas need to be supported with adequate socio-economic support so that they do not spread out all over the country, said Sabbir Ahmed, a former army chief.

No nation can trust the Myanmar regime, said Mohammad Mozahidul Islam, a professor at Jahangirnagar University's history department.

"Myanmar is in a precarious position regarding whether it will break out into war or not. So any hopes of repatriation are a distant prospect," said Richard Horsey, senior advisor of the Myanmar International Crisis Group.

Andreas Indregard, former political advisor to Kofi Anan; Tasmia Persoob, Rasheda Akhtar and Shahab Enam Khan, all Jahangirnagar University professors, spoke among others.