Keep pressuring Myanmar for safe return of Rohingyas: Bangladesh to international community

Bangladesh has renewed its call for sustaining the international pressure on Myanmar for safe and dignified repatriation of the Rohingya refugees who had fled to Bangladesh to escape atrocities.

“A continued and sustained international pressure on Myanmar would be catalyst for a long term solution” to one of the worst humanitarian crisis created by Myanmar forcing Bangladesh to bear its brunt, Bangladesh High Commissioner to India Syed Muazzem Ali said on Tuesday.

He briefed more than 60 diplomats representing their New Delhi-based missions and who are concurrently accredited to Bangladesh.

The hour-long session was held to update the diplomats about the latest development on Rohingya crisis and to seek support for the OIC and EU resolution entitled “Human Right Situation in Myanmar”, tabled at the 3rd Committee of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), the High Commission said.

Already 99 countries have co-sponsored the draft resolution which will be considered by the 3rd Committee on Nov 15.

Last year, a resolution on the “Situation of Rohingya Muslims in Myanmar” was overwhelmingly adopted at the 3rd Committee with 135 countries voting in favour, 10 against and 26 abstaining.

Referring to the influx of over 700,000 Rohingyas since Aug 25 August last year, High Commissioner Muazzem Ali said Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina let the persecuted men, women and children to enter Bangladesh on humanitarian considerations.

“It is now time for the refugees to return to their homes under a continued and sustainable repatriation programme,” he said, adding that a permanent solution to the crisis lies in the implementation of the three-point solution proposed by Hasina at the last UNGA session.

The essence of the three-point is: Myanmar must end discriminatory laws, policies and practices against minority group, bust create a conducive environment through building trust and protection of rights and it must end atrocious crimes against Rohingyas.

More than 2,000 Rohingya refugees are expected to leave for Myanmar from Nov 15 with 150 per day in the first batch of voluntary and verified repatriation under a bilateral agreement between Bangladesh and Myanmar. The UN refugee agency, UNHCR, is supervising it.

“It is a token repatriation and it will be a test case for Myanmar,” the envoy said.