Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen has reiterated Bangladesh's position to provide education to Rohingya children sheltered in the country only in Rohingya language under Myanmar curricula.

The Rohingya children can be reintegrated in Myanmar smoothly after their repatriation if they are educated in Rohingya language under Myanmar curricula, he said. 

"This (education) must be done in Rohingya language under Myanmar curricula so that once they return, they can be reintegrated in Myanmar," Dr Momen conveyed to Canadian Minister of International Development Karina Gould during his recent virtual meeting. 

Also read: Vaccination: UNHCR lauds Bangladesh for inclusion of Rohingyas

More importantly, he said, Canada should first introduce her education programme in Rakhaine State  where nearly 6 lakh Rohingyas are in IDP camps. 

"Once her education and teaching program appears to be successful in Rakhaine state, only then they can introduce her education programme amongst the Rohingyas stranded in Bangladesh," said the Foreign Minister.

In response to the Canadian Minister’s call for providing education to Rohingya children in Bangladesh, Bangladesh Foreign Minister came up with Bangladesh position, stating that Bangladesh also wants to provide education to Rohingyas. 

Dr Momen reiterated Bangladesh’s proposal that the UNHCR can recruit teachers from Myanmar for this. 

He underscored that if education, health and pathway to citizenship for remaining Rohingyas in Rakhine State can be ensured by the UN by investing more resources there, this would encourage displaced Rohingyas in Bangladesh to return to their homeland. 

Also read: ASEAN countries urged to help expedite Rohingya repatriation efforts

Dr Momen expressed concern that the lack of education and other rights for Rohingyas may lead to radicalization and extremism, and thus this is important to resolve the crisis at the earliest.

The Canadian Minister recalled that Canada has already provided medicine and oxygen concentrator supports to Bangladesh through the UNICEF and some NGOs; and stated that such assistance including vaccine support may come in future. 

Informing that Bangladesh has commenced vaccinating displaced Rohingyas over 55 years numbering around 48000, Dr Momen highlighted the fact that not a single Rohingya person in Bangladesh has so far died due to COVID-19.

He also underscored, depicting the natural hazards that Kutupalong camps have been facing, that the facilities in Bhashan Char are far better.

He said the UN and international community need to come forward to support the humanitarian operations in Bhashan Char as soon as possible. 

Bangladesh Foreign Minister thanked Canada for its consistent political and humanitarian support for the displaced and persecuted Rohingyas, including for the genocide case ongoing in the International Court of Justice (ICJ). 

Underscoring that the repatriation of displaced Rohingyas remains as the priority for Bangladesh and also of the Rohingyas themselves, he urged Canada to take a leadership role in this regard. 

Thanking for Canada’s political support to the ICJ case by Gambia on the alleged genocide against Rohingyas, Foreign Minister Momen requested Canada to come forward to assist Gambia through making financial support for the proceeding of the case.