Mizanur Rahman’s Reckless Speech to Rohingya
Distorting History and Inciting Conflict
The Refugee Relief and Repatriation Commissioner (RRRC), Mizanur Rahman, should have his title changed immediately. Given the latest drivel he has spouted, it should be the The Refugee Relief and Recruitment Commissioner. In his latest appearance at the opening of BRAC’s two-storey learning centre (8th January), he distorted historical facts and used them in a way that only has one interpretation - an exhortation for the Rohingya to mobilise and go and occupy Arakan! Encouraging refugees to engage in armed conflict contravenes international laws and ethical standards, particularly for a civil servant overseeing refugee welfare!
Let’s break this down. First this is his speech (very lightly edited for clarity):
If you do not understand yourself your duty and responsibility, then it is a fail. There are many countries in the world which don’t even have half your population. There’s the Maldives. Do you know their population? 500,000 people. Just 5 lacs only. Half of the camp. Less than half of the camp. They are an independent country. Using the “India out” slogan, he became President. During the time of Rajeev Gandhi, fishermen went and seized it (the Maldives). Just fishermen there. And they occupied it. That is the kind of country it is. You just ask yourself, getting wages of 8000 takas or 10,000 takas, and you think this is your country. And your life is over, right? Don’t think like that, please, please, please.
It is a pity we don’t have the whole speech but what can we say about this little snippet? Quite a lot. Here goes.
Misrepresentation of the Maldives’ History:
The claim that a bunch of fishermen liberated the Maldives during Rajiv Gandhi's time is, of course, rubbish. The 1988 incident involved Sri Lankan mercenaries disguised as fishermen, not actual fishermen. The coup attempt failed due to India's intervention (Operation Cactus).The mention of the "India Out" campaign in this context is also chronologically and contextually rubbish, as that slogan emerged in the 21st century, unrelated to events during Gandhi's tenure.
Comparison to the Maldives’ Population:
While the Maldives does have a small population (about 500,000), its independence stems from historical and geopolitical factors, not from some grassroots military effort as implied in the speech.
Call to Arms
The reference to Rohingya youth working in NGOs and earning modest salaries (8,000–10,000 takas) seems designed to shame or guilt them into taking action beyond their current circumstances. By glorifying independence and implicitly tying it to armed struggle, what exactly is he inciting? His rhetoric can be seen as a direct call for the Rohingya to mobilise, possibly through recruitment into armed groups—a practice that Bangladesh has been tacitly supporting in the camps.
Exploitation of Vulnerable Populations:
As I said in my opening para, encouraging refugees to engage in armed conflict contravenes international laws and ethical standards, particularly for a civil servant overseeing refugee welfare! This is NOT his job! Refugees, by definition, have fled violence and persecution; pushing them back into a conflict zone is not what the chief of RRRC should be encouraging.
Destabilisation:
Encouraging militarisation among the Rohingya could escalate violence in the region, affect the fragile dynamics in the camps, and strain relations between Bangladesh and the Arakan Army, Myanmar, etc. Bangladesh keeps warning regional countries that Rohingya are a security risk. Well clearly, if this is what a government official is encouraging!
Damage to Credibility:
Such statements undermine Bangladesh’s official position on the Rohingya crisis. It damages Bangladesh’s international reputation as a host country, especially if these statements are viewed as state-sponsored incitement.
Conclusion
Mizanur Rahman, a high-ranking government official responsible for refugee welfare, is promoting a dangerous narrative. By distorting history and appealing to nationalist and even militaristic sentiments, he is spreading misinformation and also potentially endangering the lives of refugees.