Hasina seeks Cambodia’s help on Rohingya crisis

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has called for Cambodia’s support in developing a sustainable solution to the Rohingya crisis and the minority’s persecution in Myanmar’s Rakhine State.

The prime minister made the remarks during a discussion with Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen in Phnom Penh on Monday.

“We have discussed some of the emerging security challenges facing our region and expressed our common resolve to fight terrorism and extremism,” Hasina said during a joint statement.

“We have also discussed the Rohingya crisis that threatens the peace and stability of our region. Bangladesh continues to shelter more than 1 million Rohingyas, among them around 630,000 who fled atrocities in Myanmar and took shelter in Bangladesh recently.”

Hasina asked for Hun’s support for a durable solution as Bangladesh continued bilateral talks to return Rohingyas safely to their homeland.

"We highly appreciate Bangladesh (for giving shelter to the Rohingya refugees from Myanmar) even though Bangladesh has a population of over 160 million, but Bangladesh took the issues of refugees on its shoulder," said Cambodian Prime Minister Hun.

Bangladesh has let in a wave of Rohingya refugees since late August, when the Myanmar military began a crackdown in Rakhine State in response to insurgent attacks.

The refugees in Cox’s Bazar say the military and locals shot and killed people indiscriminately, raping women, looted and set fire to Rohingya homes.

International organisations are attempting to provide emergency food, water and medical treatment to the numerous refugees in the camps.

Bangladesh and Myanmar signed an agreement on Nov 23 on the repatriation of recent refugees to their homeland.

The agreement specified the formation of a joint working group to begin the repatriation process within two months.

The Bangladesh government has also attempted to enlist international support for the Rohingya crisis. The UN, EU, US, UK and other parties have expressed their appreciation for Bangladesh’s efforts on the Rohingya crisis.