Rohingya repatriation
Chinese Ambassador discusses Rohingya repatriation with acting foreign secretary
Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh Li Jiming has met acting Foreign Secretary Rear Admiral (Retd) Md Khurshed Alam and discussed the ways to repatriate Rohingyas to their homeland as well as the recent tension at Bangladesh-Myanmar border.
Talking to a small group of reporters at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs after the meeting today, Ambassador Li said they have discussed several issues, including "early repatriation" of the Rohingyas and cooperation between the two countries.
Asked whether they discussed the recent border issues with Myanmar, the Chinese envoy said they touched upon the recent developments and the acting foreign secretary did mention that.
"That was very unfortunate.....I have no more information,” he said.
Talking to reporters, Khurshed Alam said China assured Bangladesh of talking to the Myanmar authorities for ensuring peace along the border.
Responding to a question, he said Bangladesh thinks China, as a friendly country of Bangladesh, will convey Bangladesh’s message to Myanmar as China has the leverage.
The acting foreign secretary said he briefed the Chinese ambassador on the recent incidents in the bordering areas with Myanmar.
He said Bangladesh also urged the Chinese Ambassador to expedite the Rohingya repatriation process which is yet to start.
There is a tripartite mechanism involving Bangladesh, Myanmar and China to discuss and find ways to resolve the Rohingya crisis.
Last week, Bangladesh sought support and necessary steps from the international community to stop the violence so that Myanmar cannot create instability in the region and thus avoid the repatriation of the Rohingyas.
Bangladesh conveyed to the international community that it is working with much patience and tolerance; and Bangladesh did not do anything that might cause Myanmar's mortar shells landing inside Bangladesh — impacting the life and livelihoods of Bangladeshis.
Bangladesh is now hosting over 1.1 million Rohingyas in Cox’s Bazar and Bhasan Char.
“Rohingyas a big burden on Bangladesh, India can help”
-The Rohingyas are a “big burden” on Bangladesh, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said, and reached out to the international community to ensure their return to their homeland.
The PM said that Bangladesh had offered shelter to the Rohingyas when they were in dire need.
“But now, they should go back to their country. India as a neighbour can play a major role in it, I feel,” Hasina said in an interview with ANI.
She said that the presence of lakhs of Rohingyas in Bangladesh had created challenges for her government.
Also read: Repatriation of Rohingyas to Myanmar ultimate solution: S Korea
“For us (Rohingyas are) a big burden. India is a big country… you can accommodate. But in our country... we have 1.1 million Rohingyas… We are consulting with the international community and also our neighbouring countries. They should also take some steps so that they can go back home,” Hasina said.
The Bangladesh prime minister said that her government had tried to take care of the displaced community, keeping the humanitarian aspect in mind.
“…On humanitarian grounds, we give them shelter and provided everything. During the Covid-19 pandemic, we also vaccinated all the Rohingyas. But how long will they stay here? Due to the camps, there are negative impact on the environment… Some are engaging in drug trafficking and armed conflicts, trafficking women. Day by day it is increasing. The sooner they return home, the better for our country and also for Myanmar. We have been trying our best to pursue them, we’re discussing with them and also the international community, like ASEAN and UN,” Hasina said.
During the interview, Hasina was also asked about Bangladesh’s cooperation with India on river water sharing, especially regarding the Teesta river. She said that while there were challenges, they were not anything which could not be resolved mutually.
Also read: Requested US, UK, Japan to take Rohingyas from Bangladesh: FM
“We are in a... you know... downstream. Water is coming from India, so India should show more generosity. Both the countries will be beneficiaries. Sometimes our people suffer a lot because of water needs… this is especially true for Teesta. I think, it should be solved. We found that the (Indian) Prime Minister is quite eager to solve this problem, but the problem is in your country,” Hasina said.
Rohingya Repatriation: Momen urges Western leaders to impose economic sanctions on Myanmar
Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen has urged the Western leaders to impose strong economic sanctions on Myanmar to expedite the Rohingya repatriation efforts.
He also urged the ASEAN leaders to strengthen their ongoing efforts to help create a conducive environment within Myanmar to help the forcibly displaced Myanmar nationals return to their homeland.
Momen made the call while speaking at the 29th Meeting of ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) under the theme "ASEAN ACT: Addressing Challenges Together" held in Phnom Penh, Cambodia on Friday.
He said it is now the fifth year of the Rohingya crisis but not a single forcibly displaced Myanmar national has been repatriated to Myanmar.
The Foreign Minister, who led the Bangladesh delegation to the 29th ARF meeting, said strengthening ongoing efforts to help create an environment within Myanmar will encourage the Rohingyas to return.
Momen raised the issue of the high foreign direct investment (FDI) Myanmar secured despite the genocide it committed and atrocities it did.
Read: Rohingya repatriation: Bangladesh wants more coordinated, proactive support from ASEAN
He also pointed out that after the 2017 Rohingya invasion, even the European Union (EU) countries’ trade and investment increased substantially.
In terms of foreign direct investment, the EU was the 5th largest foreign investor following other Asian countries, Momen said.
He also recalled the history that during the 1970s, 1980s, and 1990s, there was economic sanction on Myanmar and therefore, they repatriated thousands of their nationals in the 1970s and 1990s through dialogue and discussions.
Momen said unless economic sanction is imposed on Myanmar, Myanmar is unlikely to listen to world leadership, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Meanwhile, he pointed out that delaying the repatriation process may pose a security threat to the entire region and beyond.
He highlighted some key challenges including recurring waves of new variants of Covid -19, global turmoil due to conflict in Europe, climate change, economic recession, and food and commodity crises that can only be adequately and effectively addressed through mutual trust and cooperation underpinned by multilateral arrangements like ARF.
Momen said the Bangladesh government is working relentlessly under the dynamic leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to transform Bangabandhu's vision into a reality.
On Saturday morning, Momen met Foreign Minister of Lao People’s Democratic Republic (Laos) Saleumxay Kommasith reviewed the whole gamut of the existing excellent bilateral relations.
During the meeting, he invited Laos to invest in different sectors, particularly in priority sectors in the Economic Zones, agriculture and ICT sectors of Bangladesh.
Momen also proposed the regular exchange of trade delegation and trade related offer in order to create opportunities and potentials for bilateral trade and investment which is essential for both countries.
Read: MPs urge ASEAN to put strong pressure on Myanmar
He urged the Foreign Minister of Lao PDR to play a more proactive role in bringing a sustainable solution to the protracted Rohingya crisis by initiating a speedy, safe and dignified repatriation of the forcibly displaced people back to their motherland Myanmar.
He requested Lao PDR to exert its friendly influence on Myanmar to take its citizens back to Myanmar.
Rohingya repatriation: Bangladesh wants more coordinated, proactive support from ASEAN
Bangladesh has sought more coordinated and proactive support from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) for persuading Myanmar to create a congenial situation for an early, safe and dignified repatriation of its more than 1.1 million nationals from the country.
Bangladesh also sought the support of Brunei Darussalam in expediting its bid to be a sectoral dialogue partner (SDP) of ASEAN.
A courtesy meeting was held between Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen and Second Minister of Foreign Affairs of Brunei Haji Erywan bin Pehin Datu Pekerma Jaya Haji Mohd Yusof in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, Thursday.
They discussed the issues of mutual interest, reasserting their commitment to further strengthening their excellent bilateral ties.
Read: Bangladesh seeks EU’s role for early repatriation of Rohingyas
The two countries agreed to accelerate cooperation in trade, investment, agriculture, aquaculture, fisheries, energy, health, pharmaceuticals, connectivity, ICT, tourism, halal trade, human resources development, youth and cultural exchanges.
While discussing the need for high-level visits to further cement the bilateral relations, Yusof expressed their keenness on arranging a Bangladesh visit for the sultan of Brunei which got postponed in 2020 due to the pandemic.
Momen welcomed the proposal and both ministers agreed to take all necessary preparations.
The Bangladesh foreign minister is now on a three-day visit to Cambodia to attend the 29th ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) ministerial meeting.
PM seeks Japan’s support in repatriation of Rohingyas to Myanmar
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Sunday sought Japanese support for the repatriation of Rohingyas to Myanmar, their homeland, as the forcibly displaced people have become a burden on Bangladesh for the last several years.
She made this call when Japanese Parliamentary Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs HONDA Taro and President of Japan International Corporation Agency (JICA) TANAKA Akihiko met her at her official residence Ganobhaban.
PM's Press Secretary Ihsanul Karim told a media briefing that the premier urged the Japanese to take initiative so Myanmar takes their displaced nationals back home in a dignified manner.
In response the Japanese parliamentary vice minister said his country also wants a dignified return home of the displaced people.
PM Hasina said three mega projects --Matarbari coal-fired power plant in Maheshkhali, Third Terminal of Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport and Metro-rail project—being constructed by Japan would help develop Bangladesh.
In this regard, the JICA president said the government of Bangladesh is providing proper support to implement the mega projects and it is also determined to complete the Maheshkhali--Matarbari project.
HONDA Taro appreciated Bangladesh for its graduation from the status of least developed country (LDC).
Read: PM urges youths to take up fish processing for livelihood and earn foreign exchange
"Many Japanese companies are keen to invest in Bangladesh," he was quoted as saying.
They congratulated PM Hasina on construction of Padma Bridge with own funds saying it would accelerate economic development of Bangladesh.
They said Padma Bridge and Bangabandhu Bridge connected the southern and northern regions directly with the capital.
Hasina expressed deep shock at the recent assassination of former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and paid tribute to him as a great friend of Bangladesh.
She recalled that Japan soon after the Liberation War recognised Bangladesh and since then became its strong development.
The Japanese vice minister and the JICA president recalled the visit of Shinzo Abe to Bangladesh in 2014.
They said his visit elevated the bilateral relationship between the two countries to a comprehensive partnership level.
Talking about the Holey Artisan attack, Hasina said no recurrence of such incident has taken place due to the strong steps taken by law enforcement agencies.
She recalled the visit of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman to Japan in 1973 and said he had laid the foundation of the today's exemplary Bangladesh-Japan relationship.
Hasina said Bangabandhu was a great admirer of Japan's socioeconomic and technological development. He had also wanted to replicate the same here in Bangladesh, she added.
PM's Principal Secretary Ahmad Kaikaus and Japanese Ambassador to Bangladesh Ito Naoki were present.
Chinese envoy meets FM
Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh Li Jiming met Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen on Sunday at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
At the meeting, both sides discussed bilateral issues of mutual interests as well as the issue of repatriation of Rohingyas, said the MoFA.
Rohingya Repatriation: Dhaka seeks proactive role from Indonesia, ASEAN
Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen has urged Indonesia and the ASEAN to play a proactive role to facilitate an early repatriation of the displaced Rohingya people currently sheltered in Bangladesh on humanitarian grounds.
He reiterated that the problem was created by Myanmar and it has to be solved by Myanmar as well, and the only possible solution in this regard is the repatriation of the displaced people to their homeland, the Rakhine State of Myanmar.
Momen also sought Indonesia’s support in favour of Bangladesh’s candidacy as a Sectoral Dialogue Partner of Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).
Also read: FM Momen’s new book focuses on Bangladesh’s successes, potential
The foreign minister discussed the issues when Ambassador of Indonesia to Bangladesh Heru Hartanto Subolo met him at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Monday.
Momen recalled with gratitude the support of Indonesia for early recognition of independent Bangladesh in 1972.
He expressed happiness on the celebration of Golden Jubilee of Diplomatic ties with due festivity both in Bangladesh and Indonesia.
While appreciating the current volume of bilateral trade, Momen stressed on further expanding and accelerating the scope of trade and investment tapping into the unexplored potentials by the business communities of the two countries.
He specifically emphasized on having a better balance of bilateral trade by allowing more Bangladeshi products, including RMG, Pharmaceuticals, leather goods etc., into the Indonesian market and on concluding the Bilateral Preferential Trade Agreement which is under negotiations.
Momen suggested more frequent interactions among the business communities of the two countries, according to the MoFA.
The foreign minister explained briefly the remarkable socio-economic success of Bangladesh to the new Indonesian envoy.
Also read: Malta to send team for hassle-free visa processing of 3000 Bangladeshis: FM
He specifically highlighted the success of digital integration and ICT development in Bangladesh under the vision of ‘Digital Bangladesh’ as steered by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
Momen elaborated how a well-built ICT infrastructure helped Bangladesh in coping with the challenges of the pandemic and in administering one of the largest inoculation programs in the world.
Echoing the views of the foreign minister, the Indonesian Ambassador also emphasized on further strengthening economic relations between the two countries through various means including exchange of trade delegations, participating in trade expo etc.
Momen wished the Ambassador all success and assured him of all possible support during his tenure in Bangladesh.
Dhaka seeks Commonwealth support for Rohingya repatriation
The Rohingya crisis has entered its 6th year threatening human security, peace, and stability of the region, the Bangladesh foreign minister has said.
Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen has reiterated that earliest repatriation of all forcibly displaced Rohingyas back to their ancestral homeland in Rakhine in safety and dignity remains Bangladesh’s compelling priority.
Read: Rohingya Repatriation: Momen reiterates Dhaka’s call for expediting verification process
Momen raised the issue during his intervention at the Commonwealth Foreign Affairs Ministers Meeting held in Rwandan Capital Kigali on Thursday.
He appreciated the Commonwealth nations for incorporating a special text on Rohingya crisis in the Heads of Governments Communiqué.
Rohingya Repatriation: Momen reiterates Dhaka’s call for expediting verification process
Welcoming the resumption of talks between Bangladesh and Myanmar, Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen on Wednesday reiterated Dhaka’s call to expedite the verification process of the Rohingyas to begin their repatriation to their place of origin in Rakhine State of Myanmar.
“It’s good news that they (Myanmar) have started discussion,” he said, adding that there have been three meetings at various levels recently.
While taking to reporters in a city hotel, Momen said the Bangladesh side handed over a list of 8.30 lakh individuals containing biometric data but they have only verified 58000.
He said Bangladesh wants to begin repatriation of the Rohingyas but no date has been fixed yet to make that happen.
Momen, however, said the two sides had a good meeting on Tuesday in which Bangladesh laid emphasis on expediting the verification process and begin the repatriation of the Rohingyas as soon as possible.
Bangladesh and Myanmar on Tuesday held “substantive discussions” on all issues related to voluntary, safe, dignified and sustainable repatriation of the Rohingyas to their homeland.
Also read: Pursuing economic diplomacy to contribute to timely attainment of SDGs: FM
At a meeting held virtually, Bangladesh stressed on the need for early commencement of repatriation to lessen the colossal burden of hosting the displaced people, expeditious verification of eligibility for return, and security, livelihood and wellbeing of the returnees.
Foreign secretary Masud Bin Momen and Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Myanmar Chan Aye led the respective sides at the fifth meeting of the Joint Working Group (JWG) on the repatriation of the Rohingyas temporarily sheltered in Bangladesh.
Five years have passed since the Rohingyas fled home in one of the largest exoduses in recent history.
The promise of safe return remains unfulfilled, says Bangladesh, noting that not a single Rohingya has been able to return home.
Also read: FM Momen rues long delay in Teesta deal with India
Both sides agreed to work on addressing verification related problems and holding regular meetings of the JWG and technical working group for early commencement of repatriation.
JCC with India
Asked about the next round of Joint Consultation Commission (JCC) meeting between Bangladesh and India, the foreign minister said all the issues including border management, issues related to joint rivers and energy security will be discussed.
Bangladesh was seeking the long-delayed meeting of the Joint Rivers Commission but it is not taking place before the JCC.
“We wanted to have the JRC meeting first,” Momen said, adding that Bangladesh will discuss the rivers’ issues in the JCC.
The JCC is scheduled to take place in New Delhi on June 19 and the foreign minister is likely to leave here for Delhi on June 18 if there is no last minute change.
Foreign minister Momen and his Indian counterpart S Jaishankar had a meeting while attending the third edition of Asian Confluence River Conclave-2022 (NADI) in Guwahati last month.
The JCC will be co-chaired by Momen and Jaishankar.
The two foreign ministers also met in Dhaka recently and stressed on following up the decisions taken at the highest level for their effective implementation for mutual benefit.
The sixth meeting of the JCC was held on September 29, 2020. Although Dhaka was scheduled to host the meeting, the meeting was held on a virtual platform due to Covid-19 pandemic.
Bangladesh and India noted that 2021 was a landmark year for their relationship as the president and the prime minister of India visited Bangladesh in a single year. The countries celebrated the 50th years of diplomatic ties through the joint celebration of a number of landmark events across the world.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is likely to visit India this year.
Dhaka seeks Seoul’s "extra initiative" for Rohingya repatriation
Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen has sought South Korea's “extra initiative” and a “pro-active” action for expediting Rohingya repatriation, noting that they have some leverages on Myanmar.
“This would be a real achievement if you can help us in repatriation of these Rohingya people to their homeland,” he said while addressing a seminar on Bangladesh-South Korea relations at the Foreign Service Academy.
South Korean Ambassador to Bangladesh Lee Jang-keun and Bangladesh Ambassador to South Korea Delwar Hossain joined as special guests at the seminar titled "50 Years of Korea-Bangladesh Relations: Trends and Directions" chaired by Dhaka University Prof Dr Delwar Hossain.
Momen said South Korea, one of the largest investors in Myanmar, maintains a very good relationship with the ASEAN nation.
He requested the South Korean government to take an “extra initiative” and a “pro-active” action so that the displaced Rohingya people can return to their homes in Myanmar. “You have some leverages on Myanmar and therefore I request you to use that leverage.”
Read: Current geopolitical situation creating more opportunities for closer Dhaka-Seoul ties: Envoy
Bangladesh is now hosting over 1.1 million Rohingyas in Cox’s Bazar camps and Bhasan Char on humanitarian grounds.
“Myanmar is our neighbour, they are not our enemy,” Momen said, adding that they have a history of persecuting their people (Rohingyas) and forcing them out of their country.
In the past, repatriation of the Rohingyas took place on a number of occasions through dialogue and discussion, he said.
“This time the number is too high. I hope with your (South Korea) support they will take back their people because you are a good friend of Myanmar,” said the foreign minister.
He also thanked the South Korean government for the humanitarian support for the displaced people from Myanmar now temporarily sheltered in Bangladesh.
On the bilateral front, Bangladesh and South Korea vowed to work together for a better and promising future making the best use of the opportunities that the two countries offer.
Read: Dhaka, Seoul to work together for their prosperity
The two countries want to collaborate more than before amid emerging global challenges as 50 years of bilateral relations between Bangladesh and South Korea will officially be celebrated next year.
The Embassy of the Republic of Korea, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Bangladesh and the East Asia Study Center of the University of Dhaka jointly organized the seminar.