The Center for NRB has called on the international community to take initiatives to find a lasting solution to the plight of the Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh.
A roundtable discussion on “The Rohingya Issue and Its Social and Economic Impact in Bangladesh” was held in New York on Saturday 16 October.
Speakers at the event, organized by the Center for NRB, called on the international community to take initiatives to find a lasting solution to the plight of the Myanmar Rohingya group, who have taken refuge in Bangladesh. The speakers said that the Rohingya problem is not a problem of Bangladesh, it is a humanitarian catastrophe and all the world community including the United Nations must work together to solve this problem caused by Myanmar so that Bangladesh can get rid of the burden of carrying 1.1 million Rohingya refugees.
Tarun Sarwar Chowdhury, an American expatriate, presented a written statement on the Rohingya given by the Prime Minister of Bangladesh Sheikh Hasina at the UN General Assembly. NRB Chairperson Sekil Chowdhury presented the keynote address.
Participating in the discussion, among others, leaders of various organizations expatriate Bangladeshis living in New York and leading personalities of professional organizations also address. New York expatriate Bangladeshi journalists and writers working with the Rohingya shared their experiences and suggestions for action.
Among others, prominent physician Dr. Masudul Hasan, journalist Fazlur Rahman, Abdul Quader Mia Foundation President Abdul Quader Mia, Rimon Islam, social worker Zulkar Haider, US Bangladesh Chamber of Commerce and Industry President Liton Ahmed, Qatari expatriate Nazrul Islam, expatriate artist Iqbal , Professor Hosne Ara, Sheikh Atiqul Islam, Mamunur Rashid Khan Shipu, President of American Islamic Center Advocate Nasiruddin Ahmed, businessman Sanwar Chowdhury, Bangladeshi fashion designer Tahura Chowdhury, President of Bangladesh American Police Association Captain Karam Chowdhury, Federal Reserve Bank official Imtiaz Chowdhury and other leaders were present.
The speakers said that Bangladesh is facing a difficult problem. About 1.1 million Rohingya people have taken shelter in 35 camps in Bangladesh and due to them local environment, law and order situation, food crisis, employment, increase in administrative expenses have created various problems.
Speakers at the event called on American politicians, the public and the administration to make informed decisions on the issue and to work with Bangladesh on Rohingya repatriation. The speakers called upon the United Nations and its member organizations and the countries of the major economies to stand by Bangladesh in tackling this difficult issue.
In his concluding remarks, Sekil Chowdhury, President of the Round Table, called upon the world community as well as the expatriate Bangladeshis scattered in different countries to exchange views with the governments and people of different countries on the Rohingya issue.
He said, the world community needs to stand by Bangladesh today to put a logical end to the humanitarian example that Bangladesh has set. He said everyone should be aware that attempts to destabilize the law and order situation in Bangladesh, Asia and even the world could spread through the Rohingya. He sincerely called upon the neighboring friendly countries of Bangladesh to find a logical solution from the side of Bangladesh to solve the Rohingya problem.
The leaders of the various organizations present at the event agreed to work together with all those involved in the work to build public opinion on the issue.
