SANGSAD BHABAN, June 26, 2019 (BSS) – Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today said her government has been continuing its diplomatic efforts with Myanmar alongside with international and regional forums to send back the forcibly displaced Rohingyas to their homeland.
“We are continuing bilateral efforts with Myanmar to resolve the crisis regarding forcibly displaced Myanmar nationals (Rohingyas) alongside with carrying out diplomatic efforts with international and regional forums to mount pressure on Myanmar to bring Rohingyas back to their homeland,” she said.
The world leaders are currently putting immense pressure on Myanmar to stop inhuman torture on Rohingyas and repatriate their citizens, she told the Jatiya Sangsad while replying to a tabled question from Awami League lawmaker Nur Mohammad from Kishoreganj-2 constituency.
In this context, she also said, “I have put forwarded five-point proposal including complete implementation of former UN Secretary General Kafi Annan Commission’s recommendations at 72th general assembly and three-point proposal on the sideline of the 73rd general assembly of the United Nations to repatriate over one million forcibly displaced Rohingyas.”
Besides, various international organizations and forums, such as Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), a platform of 57 muslim countries, Inter Parliamentary Union (IPU) and Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) have been working to mount pressure on Myanmar to return their nationals, she also said.
Criticizing the Myanmar authority for making excuse to bring Rohingyas back despite striking three pacts with Bangladesh in which it is clearly mentioned that the process of Rohingyas’ repatriation will be completed within two years, the premier said, “They (Myanmar) are lingering the process making various excuses.”
Sheikh Hasina said the security and stability of Bangladesh might be hampered in case of failure to repatriate Rohingyas to their homeland soon.
“It is very difficult for us to arrange foods, clothes and accommodations for over 11 lakh forcibly displaced Myanmar nationals for an indefinite time and there is an apprehension of hampering security and stability of Bangladesh, if we can’t send them back soon,” she continued.
The government has been working tirelessly for a permanent solution to the crisis since the very beginning of it by conducting diplomatic efforts at bilateral and multilateral level, she said.
About progress on the process of repatriation of Rohingyas, the prime minister said, “We have given shelter to the Rohingyas for a temporary basis on the humanitarian ground despite having limited resources.
—- but unfortunately, it is true that the situation has got no visible progress due to rigid stance of Myanmar government.
Describing repatriation as complicated and lengthy process, she said, Bangladesh as well as international communities have been mounting pressure on Myanmar to create conducive environment in Rakhine state for their safe and sustainable return.
The prime minister heavily criticized Myanmar for conducting propaganda about repatriation of Rohingyas saying, “Though Myanmar takes rigid stand to bring their nationals back, it is now conducting propaganda at international level that the process of repatriation is now being lingered due to non-cooperation of Bangladesh”.
It is the duty of Myanmar government to bring Rohingyas back to their home and they will have to take effective measures to this end, she opined.
The Prime Minister said Bangladesh has repeatedly raised voice in international forums that Myanmar is responsible to take back the Rohingyas.