At least 82 Rohingyas reportedly returned spontaneously to Myanmar鈥檚 Rakhine state last week, the first known instance of voluntary repatriation since the mass exodus of 2017, according to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees.
The individuals, some of whom had fled forced recruitment efforts last year, cited hopes of restarting their businesses and reclaiming farmland as the main motivations behind the return, the UNHCR said in its latest report on the humanitarian cross-border situation in northern Rakhine and Cox鈥檚 Bazar from May 12 to 18.
The development has prompted careful optimism in Bangladesh, which has long maintained that repatriation of over one million forcibly displaced Myanmar nationals must be safe, voluntary, and dignified under international standards.
According to the UNHCR report, an additional 30-40 Rohingyas are expected to return to Maungdaw in the coming days, expressing hope that the Arakan Army, the powerful ethnic armed group that now controls much of Rakhine state, would provide some form of documentation or assurances.
While no coercion has been reported so far, the UNHCR noted that the situation remained ambiguous as 鈥榠t is unclear what assurances, if any, the AA has provided to the returned鈥�.
The Arakan Army, which has emerged as a de facto authority in parts of Rakhine following Myanmar鈥檚 civil unrest, was reportedly accepting bribes to allow returns and were questioning the returned about conditions in Cox鈥檚 Bazar camps and activities of organised groups, said the report.
Bangladesh, which currently hosts more than 1.2 million Rohingyas, has repeatedly urged the international community to put pressure on Myanmar to create conditions conducive to repatriation, including citizenship guarantees and protection from persecution.
Meanwhile, the humanitarian outlook for Rohingya refugees remains grim. The UNHCR reiterated its call for international solidarity and renewed support for countries in the region that continue to host Rohingya populations.
鈥楿ntil the security situation in Rakhine is conducive for voluntary and safe return, the international community must continue supporting critical humanitarian operations,鈥� the UN agency said.
UNHCR has appealed for $383.1 million for 2025 to support Rohingyas and host communities in Bangladesh, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand and Myanmar.
鈥楢s of mid-May, only 30 per cent of the funding target has been met,鈥� the report added.
