Rohingyas
Bangladesh shows how to be a ‘responsible player’ on global stage: Radwan Mujib
Bangladesh has shown one can be a "responsible player" on the global stage focusing on the most vulnerable to ensure equitable growth, says Radwan Mujib Siddiq.
Radwan, a trustee of the Centre for Research & Information (CRI), made the observation in the editorial note of the sixth issue of WhiteBoard, the country's first policy-based magazine.
“At a time when many countries are turning their backs on people fleeing wars and persecution, Bangladesh is sheltering over a million people (Rohingyas) who’re unable to return to their homeland,” he said.
Paying tribute to the Liberation War heroes, he writes, “As we remember those who led Bangladesh to victory 50 years ago, it is time to firmly fix our gaze on the future. Beyond the impressive gains in economic and human development, what does Bangladesh want to be known for?
Read: Time to challenge what we know: Radwan Mujib
"What are the hallmarks of the Bangladesh model, and are they being clearly articulated at home and abroad?” said Radwan, grandson of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.
The strategy consultant and youth advocate said in this WhiteBoard issue, they look at how focusing on the most vulnerable has paid dividends for Bangladesh, and how it can continue to shape policymaking for the next five decades and beyond.
In the sixth issue, Binayek Sen takes an in-depth look at Bangladesh’s performance as a poverty reducing country in comparison to other top performers such as India, China and Vietnam.
Rohingyas want nothing more than safe return: UN expert
Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Myanmar Tom Andrews on Monday said Rohingyas want nothing more than safe and dignified to return to their homes in Myanmar, when conditions allow.
“The world must not forget the roughly one million Rohingyas from Myanmar forced to run for their lives from the military’s genocidal attack against them,” said Andrews who began his weeklong visit to Bangladesh.
The Special Rapporteur will visit the Rohingya refugee camps in Cox’s Bazar, and the island of Bhasan Char - where many Rohingyas have been relocated.
READ: Prolonged stay of Rohingyas in Bangladesh is security threat to the region: FM
Andrews will meet the representatives of the government, as well as UN officials, representatives of civil society organisations and most importantly members of the Rohingya community.
“While the Myanmar junta continues to systematically violate the human rights of the people of Myanmar, it’s critical that the global community support those who’ve been forced to flee their homes in Myanmar for Bangladesh. I’m honoured to have the opportunity to meet with them,” Andrews said.
“I’m grateful for the access the Bangladesh government is providing me on this essential mission. This visit will be an important opportunity to meet relevant government officials, international organisations and civil society organisations in relation to Myanmar,” he said.
In particular, Andrews said, he looks forward to meeting with the Rohingyas to listen to them, lend support, and work together with them towards sustainable long-term solutions and pursuing accountability for the atrocities the military committed against them in Myanmar.
The Special Rapporteur will hold a press conference to share his preliminary observations with the media on December 19.
READ: Rohingyas the 'most vulnerable community' in region: Caritas
The Special Rapporteur’s findings will form part of his update presented to the UN Human Rights Council in March 2022.
Prolonged stay of Rohingyas in Bangladesh is security threat to the region: FM
Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen has alerted the international community about possible disruption of peace and security in the region due to prolonged stay of the Rohingyas in Bangladesh.
"As the crisis lingers, the desperation of these forcibly displaced people increases jeopardizing the peace and security of the region," he said as the two-day World Peace Conference ended on Sunday evening.
Speaking at the closing ceremony of the conference Momen said Bangladesh’s strong commitment to peace and humanity encouraged it to stand for the persecuted Myanmar nationals.
Like many other countries, he said, Bangladesh could have turned its back and remained insensitive.
"Such indifference, however, is alien to our psyche," said the foreign minister.
Also read: Let’s dream of a better world, FM Momen tells peace conference
Quoting Dr. Martin Luther King, he said, “Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.”
"Let’s lit up the power of love in every heart and create a mindset of tolerance; let the message of peace which this conference has generated help construct a defence of peace in every mind," said Momen.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina addressed the closing ceremony as the chief guest.
In Dhaka Peace Declaration, the participants said they remain sensitized to the growing security, displacement and ecological challenges posed by climate change and commit to enhanced climate action for a peaceful and sustainable future of planet.
"We must join forces to keep our oceans and high seas, outer space and Polar Regions free from armed conflicts and contestations," the Peace Declaration read.
The participants said they need to make the various components and manifestations of the Fourth Industrial Revolution employed at the service of our shared well-being.
"We must invest in health security and make quality and affordable treatments and vaccines available for all. We envision a world where the existing global inequities no longer persist and where peace and non-violence prevail as inalienable rights," they said.
Also read: Peace Conference testimony of Bangladesh's commitment to global security: FM
The global participants said they cannot lose sight of the fact that absence of peace anywhere in the world implies absence of peace everywhere.
"We must repose our faith and confidence in the spirit of multilateralism. We wish to see the comity of nations made fit for purpose for our evolving global realities," according to the Dhaka Peace Declaration.
Rohingya Repatriation: Japan to encourage Myanmar to take concrete measures
Japan has assured Bangladesh that it will encourage Myanmar to take "concrete measures" to resolve the present situation for early start of the repatriation process of the Rohingyas to their place of origin in Rakhine State.
Japan has also assured Bangladesh of extending support to assist Bangladesh's efforts to resolve the Rohingya crisis.
Japanese Foreign Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi conveyed the message to his Bangladesh counterpart Dr AK Abdul Momen in a recent letter, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Read: Rohingya repatriation: PM seeks strong steps from world leaders
Bangladesh is now hosting over 1.1 million Rohingyas in Cox's Bazar district and Bhasan Char island.
The Japanese Foreign Minister said his country will continue to work to create an environment conducive to the "safe, voluntary and dignified" repatriation of the Rohingyas.
He said Bangladesh and Japan are tied with a strong bond based on the spirit of confidence, cooperation and mutual benefit as symbolized by the resemblance of two countries national flags since the independence of Bangladesh.
The Japanese Foreign Minister said he would like to further strengthen this traditional friendship on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations in 2022.
Read: Rohingya Repatriation: Int'l community urged to take concrete actions
Earlier, Foreign Minister Dr Momen sent a letter to his new Japanese counterpart congratulating him on his appointment as the Foreign Minister of Japan.
Rohingyas the 'most vulnerable community' in region: Caritas
The new President of Caritas Bangladesh (CB) Bishop James Romen Boiragi on Monday said the Forcibly Displaced Myanmar Nationals (FDMNs), or Rohingyas, now taking shelter in the refugee camps of Ukhiya upazila, are the most vulnerable community in the region.
He made the remarks while visiting the Kutupalong camp together with the organisation's Executive Director (ED) Sebastian Rozario.
While talking to Rohingya people and their leaders, the CB President said, “We want peaceful repatriation of the Rohingya community to their motherland as it’s your demand as well.”
CB President visited Camp-4 and Camp-4 Extension in Ukhiya where CB has been providing various facilities to FDMNs since the massive influx in 2017.
READ: 379 more Rohingyas reach Bhasan Char
During the visit to Rohingya Camp-4 and Camp 4-Extension, CB high officials spoke to Camp-in-Charge (CIC) Md Mahfujar Rahman (Deputy Secretary).
CB President thanked the government of Bangladesh through the CIC for giving them the opportunity to work for the FDMNs.
“Caritas Bangladesh is the pioneer organization in protecting the environment here and started tree plantation activities and distributed LPG Cylinders to stop deforestation,” said CB President.
Talking to CB President, Md Obaidul Haque, a Majhi (camp-wise leader of Rohingya people) of Camp-4, said they are happy in the camp but they want to go to their motherland ultimately.
CB’s Emergency Response Program (ERP) Project Director Marcel Ratan Guda; Head of Operation of ERP, Mr Inmanuel Chayan Biswas; Camp Coordinator Paritosh Chakrabortty, among others, were present.
379 more Rohingyas reach Bhasan Char
A batch of 379 more Rohingyas reached Bhasan Char in the seventh phase under the supervision of Bangladesh Navy on Thursday afternoon.
Earlier on the day, 132 Rohingya men, 98 women and 149 children left Chittagong Port for Bhasan Char on a naval ship. These refugees are part of some 1,500 Rohingyas slated to be relocated to the island in this phase.
Md Shahidul Islam, superintendent of police (SP) in Noakhali, said: "The Rohingya people arrived in Bhasan Char at 3pm by naval ship Penguin. This is the first phase of Rohingya relocation in Bhasan Char since the United Nations has joined the effort."
According to Navy sources in Chattogram, 257 Rohingyas in the first group and 122 Rohingyas in the second group were brought from Ukhia in seven buses to the Navy's transit camp at Patenga Wednesday, where initial health check-ups were carried out and food was provided to them.
Read: Rohingya relocation: 1,500 more going to Bhasan Char in 7th phase
About 1,500-2,000 Rohingya men, women and children willing to go to Bhasan Char in the seventh phase gathered at the temporary transit point – Ukhiya Degree College – since Tuesday noon.
Jamalida Begum, leader of the Arakan Rohingya Society for Peace and Human Rights in Ukhia, said the residents of the camp in Ukhia feel unsafe after the killing of Rohingya leader Mohib Ullah and the gun attack on a madrasa in Rohingya camp. "So, most of the Rohingyas are willing to move to Bashan Char."
Meanwhile, Mohammad Rafiqul Islam, officer-in-charge of Bhasan Char Police, said about 1,500 Rohingya refugees are expected to reach Bhasan Char in the seventh phase. "All the preparations have been completed to receive them."
Read:UN arrival at Bhasan Char to ease better int’l coordination for repatriation: Japan
In six phases, over 18,500 Rohingyas have been shifted to Bhasan Char so far.
Bangladesh is now hosting over 1.1 million Rohingyas in camps in Cox’s Bazar and Bhasan Char. Most of them have come to this country since August 25, 2017, when the Myanmar military launched a brutal offensive targeting the Muslim ethnic minorities.
Rohingya relocation: 1,500 more going to Bhasan Char in 7th phase
Some 1,500 more Rohingyas are being relocated to the Bhasan Char Island in the seventh phase.
On the first day of the seventh phase, around 379 Rohingyas were taken to Chattogram from the camps in Cox’s Bazar in seven buses on Wednesday.
From there, the Rohingyas are scheduled to be sent to Bhasanchar on Thursday in a special navy ship.
Shamsuddauja, Additional Refugee Relief and Repatriation Commissioner in Cox's Bazar, said the Rohingyas willing to go to Bhasan Char were brought to the temporary transit point at Ukhiya Degree College ground and provided with necessary items, including food, water and medicine.
Read: Bhasan Char: an excellent example for a safe, sustainable, and resilient place for Rohingya relocation
Myanmar to take back Rohingyas gradually, hopes Foreign Minister
Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen on Saturday hoped that Myanmar will take back Rohingyas gradually as the pressure on Myanmar will be mounted following the recent adoption of resolution in the United Nations. "I believe the pressure will be mounted on Myanmar as the resolution has been passed by consensus," he told reporters after paying tribute to Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman in Tungipara. Dr Momen said Myanmar did not say they will not take back their people. "We hope Myanmar will create a conducive environment for the voluntary return of the Rohingyas." The Foreign Minister said every country wants a peaceful solution to the Rohingya crisis. “It’s great news for us that all the countries want the Rohingyas to go back to their country," he said.
UN resolution on Rohingyas a pressure on Myanmar: FM
Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen on Thursday said the adoption of a resolution at the United Nations (UN) by consensus for the first time on the “situation of human rights of Rohingya Muslims and other minorities in Myanmar” has a political value and it has a pressure on that particular country.
“It’s a great day for us. We’re very happy,” he told reporters after attending a programme at Bangladesh Institute of International and Strategic Studies (BIISS).
Dr Momen said the countries which used to create barriers like Russia and China also want solutions to the Rohingya crisis and he had discussion with Russia while China has taken some initiatives.
“They (Rohingyas) must go back to their country for a better future. All countries want a peaceful solution to the Rohingya issue,” he said.
Read: UK MoS calls on PM, finds common ground on issues
As fundamental issues regarding the Rohingya crisis were not included in the resolution in June, Bangladesh decided to abstain. “We strongly made our position clear explaining why we abstained at that time,” Dr Momen said.
He said restoration of democracy in Myanmar was highlighted but the return of Rohingyas was not mentioned. “We said resolution will be meaningless if you don’t talk about the Rohingyas.”
Responding to a question, the Foreign Minister said the General Assembly resolution is not a mandatory one while the Security Council resolution is a mandatory one. “We’re yet to see any resolution passed by the UNSC. We’re hopeful that in the future we can see progress there, too.”
“The adoption of the Rohingya resolution, for the first time by consensus, demonstrates the international community’s strong resolve to end this crisis,” said Ambassador Rabab Fatima, Permanent Representative of Bangladesh to the United Nations during the adoption of the resolution on Wednesday.
The resolution was jointly tabled by the member states of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) and the European Union (EU).
In the resolution, the member states commended Bangladesh for its generosity in hosting the Rohingyas, and for providing humanitarian assistance to them and also for including them in the national COVID-19 vaccination drive.
France firmly with Bangladesh over Rohingya issue: FM Momen
French leaders have assured Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina that France is firmly with Bangladesh in finding a permanent solution to the protracted Rohingya issue, said Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen.
“We’ll firmly remain beside you (Bangladesh) so that this crisis could end with a permanent solution,” the Foreign Minister quoted the French leaders as saying.
He said this while briefing reporters here about Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s recent talks with various high-profile leaders of France, including French President Emmanuel Macron and Prime Minister Jean Castex.
The Foreign Minister said the Rohingya issue came up prominently during the meetings with all the French leaders, especially the French President.
Read: Speakers call for mounting int'l pressure on Myanmar to resolve Rohingya crisis
During the meetings, the French leaders were informed by the Bangladesh side that the country was trying to have a permanent solution to the crisis through various channels.
“We’ve been trying bilaterally, trilaterally and multilaterally. Even we went to the International Criminal Court,” said Foreign Minister Momen.
He mentioned that the problem was created by Myanmar and the solution also lies with them.
After the recent military coup in Myanmar, he said, Bangladesh did not have any direct discussion with its military rulers.
“We have told them (French leaders) that the western world still continues their businesses with them (Myanmar). They need to stop it in a bid to create pressure on them,” he said.
The French leaders, however, wanted to know whether this is possible to advance the dialogue for repatriation during the military government.
“We have told them that there were military governments in Myanmar in the 70s and the 90s when they had repatriated Rohingyas from Bangladesh,” he said.
Read: EU to remain “steadfast partner” of Bangladesh on Rohingya front: Envoy
The Foreign Minister said some 253,000 Rohingyas had entered Bangladesh in 1992 and 236,000 of them went back through dialogue and discussions. The same thing happened in the 1970s, Momen added.
“We have informed them (France) that there was no conflict in Rakhine state in the last four years. There’s no violence there. So, it’s the right time for the repatriation of Rohingyas,” he said, adding that the French top leaders were apprised that Bangladesh has good relations with its neighbours.
Dr Momen said Myanmar had agreed to take the Rohingyas back.
“They had said they would provide guaranteed safety and security. They had also agreed to create a conducive environment for their dignified return. But they’re implementing nothing,” he said.
As the French leaders asked Bangladesh whether the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) had been informed, the Foreign Minister said, “Yes, we’ve informed Asean. They (France) said they’ve talked to Asean. They asked Asean to take a strong step.”
Asean is slow and it cannot say anything on internal issues of any member country, the Bangladesh side said. “There was a long discussion (with French leaders on the Rohingya issue).”
Read: Dhaka shares with Paris security risks from Rohingya crisis
Dr Momen said Bangladesh told the French leaders to take the issue at the security council.
PM’s Press secretary Ihsanul Karim was, among others, present at the briefing.