DHAKA, May 21, 2020 (BSS) – Foreign minister Dr AK Abdul Momen has called upon the European Union (EU) countries to share with Bangladesh the burden of sheltering persecuted Rohingyas by relocated them in Europe or in other third countries.
“Providing shelter to Rohingyas was not the responsibility of Bangladesh alone,” he said while, joining a video conference with head of mission of 10 EU countries stationed here.
Ambassadors of Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, The Netherlands, Norway, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, and the EU Delegation in Dhaka joined the video conference on Wednesday, a foreign ministry press release said here today.
Bangladesh is hosting over 1.1 million forcefully displaced Rohingyas in Cox’s Bazar district and most of them arrived there since August 25, 2017 after a military crackdown by Myanmar, which the UN called a “textbook example of ethnic cleansing” and other rights groups dubbed as “genocide”.
The foreign minister said, almost three years have passed and although Myanmar agreed to take them back, not a single Rohingya went back home yet.
He appealed the EU envoys to exert more pressure for their safe repatriation to Myanmar.
During the meeting, the foreign minister explained that the government has to downgrade 4G internet services in the Rohingyas camp areas for security reasons to stop drug, women and children trafficking, stop provoking people to create lawlessness as well as stop pornography.
The functionaries at the camps would be able to access the internet and 4G services from their offices and accommodations, he said.
However, Momen said, the Rohingyas have 2G services which is enough for day to day communications.
The foreign minister assured that Dhaka would always protect the Rohingyas who have taken shelter in Bangladesh.
The EU ambassadors reiterated their appreciation for the humanitarian gesture of Bangladesh for the cause of the Rohingyas.
Dr. Momen reiterated that the EU members are Bangladesh’s long standing reliable development partners and if they have any issue, they are most welcome to share those with the government.
Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen also joined the video conference.