ARNA extends its warmest congratulations to the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), its leadership, and the people of Bangladesh on their historic victory in the 2026 general election. This democratic mandate reflects the resilient spirit of the Bangladeshi people and their commitment to justice. ARNA expresses profound gratitude to Bangladesh, which shelters over 1.4 million Rohingya refugees, for its long history of humanitarian solidarity. We welcome BNP’s pledge to continue protecting the Rohingya. BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman’s recent statements give refugees hope: he affirmed that the Rohingya “are very welcome to stay here” until it is safe to return, and he has called on the world to intensify diplomatic pressure for a “safe, dignified, and voluntary” repatriation.
ARNA recalls BNP precedents in resolving the Rohingya crisis. Under the late President Ziaur Rahman in 1978, Bangladesh negotiated a bilateral repatriation agreement that enabled tens of thousands of Rohingya to return home. In 1992, the late Prime Minister Khaleda Zia’s government arranged the repatriation of roughly 236,599 Rohingya. These efforts show that decisive leadership and international cooperation can secure the safe return of refugees.
Unfortunately, the Rohingya still face brutality in Myanmar. Human Rights Watch documents that Myanmar’s military and the Arakan Army have imposed “severe restrictions and committed grave abuses” against Rohingya, including extrajudicial killings, arson, and forced labour. ARNA condemns this ongoing campaign of terror and ethnic cleansing. We call on the new government of Bangladesh to work with allies and the United Nations to hold all perpetrators accountable.
ARNA stands ready to cooperate on documentation and confidence-building to support a just solution. We urge that any repatriation be safe, voluntary and dignified, with full citizenship rights for returnees. By working together with pressure through the ICJ, UN, and friendly nations, we believe Bangladesh, under Tarique Rahman’s leadership, will champion Rohingya rights globally.
ARNA stands in solidarity with Bangladesh’s new democratic government and wishes the people of Bangladesh peace, prosperity, and success.
For further inquiries, please contact:
secretariat@thearna.org
About ARNA:
The Arakan Rohingya National Alliance (ARNA) was established to unify all Rohingya leadership and establish a cohesive policy framework for the community. It serves as an alliance of Rohingyas from within Myanmar, refugee camps, internally displaced persons (IDPs) camps, and the Rohingya diaspora.
Main Objective of ARNA
The primary objective of ARNA is to unify the Rohingya people under one alliance, amplifying their voices, and to achieve their right of self-determination within the Federal Union of Myanmar. This includes advocating for their right to return to their homes, securing justice for atrocities committed against them, and ensuring their political and human rights are recognised and upheld.