Passports Do Not Confer Citizenship On Rohingyas, Says Foreign Adviser

In a candid address to the press at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Wednesday, Foreign Adviser Md. Touhid Hossain clarified the government’s stance on the complex issue of Rohingya individuals residing abroad with Bangladeshi travel documents. He asserted that while tens of thousands hold Bangladeshi passports, this status is a historical anomaly and does not confer legal citizenship.

Historical Lapses and Administrative Errors

The Adviser attributed the current predicament to systemic failures and “corrupt practices” that occurred decades ago. During the era of handwritten passports, administrative oversight allowed a significant number of Rohingya refugees to obtain Bangladeshi travel documents, which they subsequently used to migrate, primarily to the Middle East.

“Due to our own mistakes, a large number of Rohingyas went abroad with Bangladeshi passports many years ago,” Hossain explained. “At that time, the passports were handwritten, and there were numerous allegations of corruption. We must be clear: a passport is a travel document; it is not an absolute proof of nationality.”

The Saudi Arabian Context

The issue has reached a boiling point due to diplomatic pressure from Saudi Arabia. The Saudi government is currently urging Bangladesh to renew the expired passports of approximately 69,000 Rohingya residents within the Kingdom.

Adviser Hossain admitted that the decision to comply was a pragmatic one, influenced by broader national interests rather than a recognition of citizenship. He noted that refusing to renew these documents could jeopardise other bilateral interests, including the welfare of the millions of legitimate Bangladeshi expatriates working in the region.

Focus on Repatriation to Myanmar

Despite the technicalities of passport issuance, the Adviser reiterated that the ultimate solution remains the repatriation of the 1.3 million Rohingya currently in Bangladesh to Rakhine State, Myanmar. He emphasised that the international community recognises their ancestral roots in Myanmar, regardless of any temporary documentation they may hold.

“Technical issues will not hold us back,” Hossain stated firmly. “The world knows the Rohingya belong in Rakhine. If we can create the right environment for their return, minor technicalities regarding passports will not obstruct the greater goal of repatriation.”

Diplomatic Autonomy and US Relations

When asked about leaked audio involving a US diplomat and recent comments by the US Ambassador concerning China, the Foreign Adviser maintained a neutral, interest-driven posture. He declined to speculate on the internal shifts within the US State Department, concluding, “We will make decisions according to our own interests, regardless of external commentary.”