Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan said on Sunday Bangladesh is committed to the safe, voluntary, dignified, and sustainable repatriation of Forcibly Displaced Myanmar Nationals (FDMN) to their homeland.
“Coordinated regional and international diplomatic efforts are being further intensified to ensure its success,” he said while addressing a seminar titled "Rohingya Crisis: Way Forward - Towards Sustainable Repatriation and a Durable Regional Solution" as the chief guest.
The event was organised by the 'Foundation for Strategic and Development Studies' (FSDS) at the Antara Hall of Hotel Radisson Blu Water Garden in Dhaka.
Md. Ismail Zabiullah, the Prime Minister's Adviser on Public Administration (holding the rank of a Minister), spoke as the special guest at the seminar, which was presided over by FSDS Chairman Major General Fazle Elahi Akbar (Retd.).
Salahuddin emphasized that Bangladesh's unilateral efforts alone are insufficient for the sustainable repatriation of the displaced Myanmar nationals; rather, it is essential to build a strategic regional alliance and a coordinated approach involving all relevant stakeholders, including China, ASEAN, the United Nations, and Japan.
The Minister noted that Sasakawa—the Japanese government's Special Envoy for National Reconciliation in Myanmar and Chairman of the Nippon Foundation—recently visited Bangladesh.
During the visit, both the Prime Minister and he held detailed discussions with Sasakawa, and the Japanese government pledged its full cooperation on this matter. Besides, the Prime Minister is likely to visit Japan later this month, where further discussions regarding accelerating the repatriation process will take place, he said.
Referring to the evolving geopolitical and security situation in Rakhine State, the Minister observed that alongside the 'de jure’ government, the Arakan Army (AA) controls a significant portion of the territory. Consequently, solutions are being sought through various diplomatic channels, including informal contacts in the current context.
However, peaceful repatriation remains the primary goal, and Bangladesh will continue diplomatic dialogue while keeping all options open as ultimate alternatives.
Speaking to journalists after the seminar, the Home Minister said the election of a Bangladeshi representative as the President of the UN General Assembly this year has created an opportunity to raise the repatriation issue more forcefully with the international community.
He expressed optimism that a path toward rapid and sustainable repatriation could be found through discussions with the international community, with the cooperation of neighbors—including China, Japan, India, and the United States—as well as the European Union.
Distinguished diplomats from home and abroad, representatives of international organizations, retired military officers, researchers, academics, and representatives from various media outlets attended the seminar.