Bangladesh said the term “Rohingya” evolved historically from the old Arakan capital Mro-Haung or Rohang, and was later adopted by the community for self-identification amid systematic marginalisation in Myanmar. Attempts to portray the Rohingya as foreigners or recent migrants are inconsistent with historical facts, the statement said. The Rohingya were an integral part of Myanmar’s political and social life until the promulgation of the 1982 Citizenship Law, which excluded them from citizenship on ethno-religious grounds, Bangladesh noted. Bangladesh said Myanmar has persistently denied the Rohingya their constitutional guarantees, culminating in their mass eviction from Rakhine State during the 2016–17 period, rendering them stateless as part of a planned process to destroy the community. Bangladesh noted that despite such claims, Myanmar had recognised the Rohingya as “lawful residents of Burma” in the 1978 bilateral repatriation agreement with Bangladesh and assured their reintegration in subsequent accords.

Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha January 23, 2026 15:02 UTC