They expressed their optimism over a positive outcome from the International Court of Justice (ICJ) as The Gambia sought six provisional measures from the genocide case filed against Myanmar.
The speakers observed that the repatriation process and the bilateral relations between Bangladesh and Myanmar will not be affected due to the proceedings at the top UN court as they believe crimes committed against Rohingyas cannot go unpunished.
The Centre for Genocide Studies (CGS), Dhaka University (DU) hosted the panel discussion on "The Rohingya Crisis: Why Accountability?" at Hotel Bengal Blueberry, Gulshan.
Foreign Secretary (Senior Secretary) Md Shahidul Haque attended the discussion as the chief guest moderated by Dr Imtiaz Ahmed, Prof of International Relations & Director, Centre for Genocide Studies, DU.
The speakers highlighted the risk of radicalisation as it does not get seen but is something to smell and the government needs to remain careful about the issue.
They observed that there has been focus on bilateral, multilateral and accountability fronts equally.
They said accountability is essential for building confidence among Rohingyas and mentioned that repatriation of Rohingyas to their homeland is the most important thing for Bangladesh.
Canadian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Benoit Préfontaine, Secretary (Asia and Pacific) Masud Bin Momen, Deputy Head of Mission at the Embassy of the Netherlands Jeroen Steeghs, member of the joint working group for repatriation of Rohingyas Brig Gen SarwarHossain, researcher and member of Board of Trustee, Liberation War Museum Mofidul Hoque and DG (UN wing) at Ministry of Foreign Affairs Nahida Sobhan, among others, spoke at the event.
Speaking at the discussion, the Foreign Secretary said Bangladesh helped stabilise the entire region by giving shelter to Rohingyas and the region could have been destabilised had Bangladesh refused to give shelter to these displaced people.
He said Bangladesh will continue to follow both bilateral and multilateral approaches to find a sustainable solution to the Rohingya crisis.
Talking about the ICJ issue, the Canadian High Commissioner said they are thrilled with what happened at the ICJ but it will take time.
He said it is a long game of five to 10 years and they have to wait for the real results.
Masud Bin Momen said they are seriously engaged on all fronts – bilateral, multilateral and accountability fronts – which are interrelated and complementary to each other.
“Repatriation of Rohingyas is the most important thing and building confidence among Rohingyas is a must for their repatriation,” he said adding that Rohingyas must return to their homeland.
Jeroen Steeghs said accountability is a must for breaking the cycle of impunity in Myanmar and laid emphasis on safe, dignified and voluntary return of Rohingyas to their place of origin in Rakhine State to ensure sustainable solution to the crisis.