Too early to decide on Rohingya refugee status, says Bangladesh

Bangladesh will consider the matter of granting official refugee status to the Rohingyas, who have fled violence in Myanmar, only after talks with the neighbouring country, says a top government official.

Senior Correspondentbdnews24.com
Published : 25 Sept 2017, 09:13 AM
Updated : 25 Sept 2017, 09:49 AM

"Bilateral talks will be held with Myanmar. Until then they will be treated as trespassers. Their status will be reconsidered if this turns into a long-term situation. But this is not the time to think about it,” Disaster Management and Relief Secretary Shah Kamal told the media in Dhaka.

The government's statement came after a meeting between the Disaster Management Ministry and the visiting UN High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi on Monday.

Speaking to reporters, Minister Mofazzal Hossain Chowdhury reiterated Bangladesh's stance that the Rohinhyas will have to go back.

"We have made it clear from the very beginning...This is Myanmar's issue and they will have to solve it."

Rohingya refugees queue for aid in Cox's Bazar, Bangladesh, Sep 24, 2017. Reuters

More than 450,000 Rohingyas, mostly Muslims, have poured into the country in four weeks, Chowdhury said adding the government is providing food and shelter for them.

"We were not prepared at all for such a situation. We have been put into this crisis after facing two rounds of floods this year."

The United Nations has appealed for massive help for the Rohingyas who have fled a military offensive in the western Rakhine state that began on Aug 25 after insurgents attacked police posts and an army camp, in which about a dozen people were killed.

Myanmar describes it is a legitimate operation against "terrorists" but UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said it was best described as ethnic cleansing.

The crisis has raised questions about Myanmar's transition to civilian rule under the leadership of Noble laureate Aung San Suu Kyi, who has said they were ready to take back 'verified refugees'.