BANGLADESH

Rohingyas wait to return home

International community should sincerely work to create an environment for the repatriation of Rohingyas as they are willing to return home, said State Minister for Foreign Affairs M Shahriar Alam on Thursday.

“Rohingyas must return to their country of origin as soon as possible,” he said while addressing a virtual conference on sustaining support for the Rohingya refugee response.

Referring to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s statement delivered at the 75th UNGA, he said the problem was created by Myanmar and its solution must be found in Myanmar.

United States, the United Kingdom, the European Union and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees brought the international community together and pledged to do everything possible for supporting Rohingyas and host communities.

Alam reiterated that Bangladesh is not in a position to take this burden anymore and the Rohingyas must return to their homeland immediately.

He expressed deep frustration that despite conclusion of bilateral agreements in 2018 and sincere efforts on the part of Bangladesh, till date not a single Rohingya could be repatriated because of the lack of political will of Myanmar and failure to fulfill its commitment.

Lack of progress in repatriation in the last three years led to widespread frustrations and hopelessness among the displaced Rohingyas making them susceptible to trafficking, radicalisation, drug dealing and other criminal activities, he said.

For the commencement of repatriation, Shahriar Alam proposed to initiate confidence-building measures involving civilian confidence-builders of ASEAN, UN and neighbouring countries who can undertake activities to infuse confidence among the Rohingyas and encourage them to return.

The conference conveys a message that it has not been a forgotten issue and more needs to be done and violence in Rakhine must be stopped.

The co-hosts discussed the voluntary, safe, dignified and sustainable return of Rohingyas and other displaced people to their homes or to a place of their choosing.

At the virtual conference, they urged countries to increase assistance for Rohingyas, host communities, and internally displaced people in Myanmar, more than three years since the latest phase of the crisis began in August 2017.

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