Bangladesh sending list of 100,000 Rohingyas for first phase repatriation to Myanmar

The government has prepared a list of 100,000 Rohingya refugees for repatriation to Myanmar in the first phase, Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader has said.

Quader, who is also the road transport and bridges minister, told reporters about the development distributing aid on behalf of the ruling party among the Rohingyas at Kutupalong refugee camp in Cox’s Bazar on Friday afternoon.

He said the first foreign secretary-level meeting of the joint working panel formed following a deal with Myanmar to repatriate the recently arrived Rohingyas was held in Dhaka on Thursday.

“Following a decision taken in the meeting, we are sending a list of 100,000 Rohingyas for the first phase of repatriation to Myanmar on Friday,” he said.

The minister said the next meeting of the panel would be held in Myanmar, where the list would be discussed and a decision would be made on the repatriation.

But the time of the repatriation can be confirmed only after Myanmar approves the list, according to Quader.

He reiterated that dignity and safety of the refugees will be ensured during the repatriation.

Speaking about the BNP’s demand for a non-partisan government for the next parliamentary election, he said, “The election won’t wait for anyone.

“The election will be held in the right time even if the BNP does not take part in it,” he said.  

The minister later visited a medical camp set up by the Bangladesh Chhatra League at Balukhali refugee camp.