Keep pushing Myanmar until the Rohingya issue is resolved: Bangladesh to Canada

Bangladesh has urged Canada to “keep pressing" Myanmar until the Rohingya crisis is resolved peacefully.

Foreign Secretary Md Shahidul Haque made the appeal at the 4th bilateral consultation between the countries in Dhaka on Sunday.

Canadian Assistant Deputy Minister for Asia Pacific Dr Donald Bobiash led his side at the meeting, the foreign ministry said. 

The Bangladesh side “deeply appreciated” the strong position adopted by the Canadian government on this issue and requested for its political support.

Bangladesh also urged Canada to 'press upon' Myanmar for taking back all the displaced Myanmar nationals from Bangladesh to their homes in Rakhine. 

More than half a million Rohingyas from Rakhine state fled to Bangladesh in a month since Aug 25 in the face of the military crackdown.

The bilateral dialogue covered a wide range of issues related to political relations, economic cooperation and development assistance, global and regional issues.

The long-standing issue of deportation of Nur Chowdhury, the self-confessed and convicted killer of the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman was also discussed.

Bangladesh side emphasised on his early deportation. Both sides agreed to continue their discussions on this issue in the next round of meeting, the foreign ministry said.

The next round of the meeting will be held in Ottawa.