The idea of establishing safe zones in Myanmar’s Rakhine State for Rohingya refugees has gained traction among some policymakers in Bangladesh. On the surface, it seems like a sensible solution: providing a safe and secure environment for Rohingya to return to their homeland while alleviating the pressure on Bangladesh. However, history and the realities on the ground in Myanmar tell a different story.

In my recent op-ed for the Dhaka Tribune, I explore the fatal flaws in the concept of safe zones, using historical examples from Rwanda and Bosnia to show how such zones have tragically failed in the past. In the context of Rakhine State, where overlapping hostilities and deep mistrust between the Rohingya and groups like the Arakan Army persist, the challenges are even more profound. Myanmar’s military junta, with its history of restricting aid and denying basic rights to the Rohingya, further undermines the feasibility of safe zones.

👉 Read the full article on the Dhaka Tribune to learn why these proposals are dangerous illusions and what alternatives might lead to lasting solutions.

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