Rohingya repatriation
No visible progress made in repatriation of Rohingyas: Minister Enamur
No visible progress has been seen in the repatriation of displaced Rohingyas to their homeland Myanmar, said State Minister for Disaster Management and Relief Dr Enamur Rahman on Tuesday.
“We sat in a meeting last month and a list of Rohingyas was provided to Myanmar. Myanmar authorities received the list. So far, we have provided lists of 35,000 Rohingyas but they are yet to inform us about how many people they will receive,” he said.
Also read: US may influence ASEAN to persuade Myanmar to stop atrocities, take Rohingyas back: Momen
Enamur came up with the remarks while talking to reporters after a meeting with Nicholas Koumjian, the Head of Independent Investigative Mechanism on Myanmar (IIMM) at the Secretariat.
IIMM chief came here to investigate the torture on Rohingyas by Myanmar security forces before they fled to Bangladesh and he also sought assistance of Refugee Relief & Repatriation Commissioner in Cox's Bazar to collect statements from victim Rohingyas, he said.
“We also assured him of providing all necessary support,” he added.
However, Nicholas also said that they will work to gain international support to send back Rohingyas to their home land with rights and safety.
Also read: Bangladesh considers continuation of learning of Rohingyas under Myanmar curriculum
Referring to another meeting with a delegation of USAID, Enamur said the delegation expressed satisfaction over the management of Rohingyas in Cox’s Bazar.
Enamur also requested the USAID delegation to take effective steps so that the other UN organizations like UNHCR and WFP start their activities for Rohingyas in Bhasanchar.
Will expedite Rohingya repatriation efforts through talks: Envoy
Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh Li Jiming on Thursday said his country is trying to expedite the Rohingya repatriation efforts through holding talks with Bangladesh and Myanmar.
China always remains beside Bangladesh when it faces any problem, said Ambassador Li while attending a function at Cox’s Bazar Sadar Hospital.
Ambassador Li noted that China has been playing a role of “mediator” between Bangladesh and Myanmar during the past five years since the latest crisis happened in Rakhine State of Myanmar and has been working with relevant stakeholders, including UNHCR, to facilitate the early repatriation of the displaced people.
Also read: 'Princess Mary's visit to Rohingya camps great encouragement to humanitarian community'
The Chinese envoy said throughout the Covid pandemic China has stood beside Bangladesh with necessary assistance and it will continue to do so for developing the country’s medical sector.
Rohingya Repatriation: FM seeks US lawmakers’ role
Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen has requested the US lawmakers to persuade Myanmar in all possible ways to create a safe environment in Rakhine State and take back all the forcibly displaced Myanmar nationals, temporarily staying in Bangladesh, to their homeland.
Foreign Minister Momen held meetings with Senator Jon Ossoff (Democrat-Georgia); and Congressman Ami Bera (Democrat-California), the Chairman of the House, Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Asia, the Pacific, Central Asia, and Nonproliferation.
The meetings were held on Wednesday in Washington D.C at the respective offices of the Senator and the Congressman at the US Capital.
Sustainable solution of Rohingya issues lies on repatriation: FS
Bangladesh has reiterated that it cannot bear the immense socio-economic and environmental costs by hosting over a million of Rohingyas for an indefinite period.
“Therefore, these people must be repatriated to their origin in Rakhine State,” said Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen, adding that sustainable solution to the Rohingya crisis lies in repatriation.
He made the call at the open-ended meeting of the OIC ad hoc ministerial committee on accountability for human rights violations against the Rohingyas, held in Islamabad, Pakistan on the sidelines of the 48th OIC Council of Foreign Ministers on March 22-23.
Read:Myanmar denies genocide, again describes Rohingyas as 'Bengali community'
While thanking The Gambia and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) for supporting legal action, he called for keeping the momentum going to provide justice to Rohingyas, according to a message received here from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The foreign secretary also called for strong solidarity from the member states by contributing voluntarily to meet the legal expenses of the case.
Turkey committed US $ 2,00,000 to the fund. The members of the ad- hoc committee praised Bangladesh for hosting this large number of refugees over the years and even proving them Covid vaccine.
Rohingya repatriation: Dhaka detects 'lack of goodwill' in Myanmar's list
Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen has said Myanmar needs to be "more sensitive" in making verified list of Rohingyas for repatriation noting that the list of 700 Rohingyas looks flawed.
Bangladesh urged Myanmar to make the list without breaking any family or village because the Rohingyas will not feel encouraged to return to Rakhine if their families or villages are broken.
Read:US announcement on Rohingya Genocide: Dhaka hopes it helps repatriation
While talking to reporters at his office, Dr Momen said the list (700 people) given by the Myanmar is being scrutinised as Dhaka sees lack of goodwill in preparing the list.
Asked about the tripartite effects - Bangladesh, Myanmar and China - to expedite the Rohingya repatriation, the Foreign Minister said the effects are still ongoing.
US announcement on Rohingya Genocide: Dhaka hopes it helps repatriation
Bangladesh has welcomed US announcement acknowledging Rohingya genocide noting that it might expedite efforts on accountability and repatriation fronts. "Though late, it's a good news. We welcome it," Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen told reporters at his office while responding to a question. He said if genocide takes place anywhere it should be acknowledged and the perpetrators should not go unpunished.
Read:UN members urged to acknowledge Rohingya genocide, refer Myanmar to ICC "That's why we say never again. We don't want to see any genocide. Unfortunately, genocide is taking place," said Momen. Terming the US a good friend of Bangladesh, Momen hoped that will put more pressure on Myanmar so that they take back Rohingyas to their homeland in Rakhine State. "If the repatriation efforts are expedited through this US announcement, we will be very happy," he said, adding that they are focusing on two goals - welfare of Rohingyas through repatriation and prevent repetition of genocide. Momen said the victims of genocide must get justice and hoped that the genocide case against Myanmar filed by The Gambia at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) will get momentum. Matthew Smith, chief executive officer at Fortify Rights, termed US Secretary of State Antony Blinken's announcement "historic" for the Rohingya and all people of Myanmar and also for wider efforts to prevent and remedy genocide. "To prevent genocide, governments must at least acknowledge it when it happens, which is precisely what the US government did today.
United Nations member states should publicly acknowledge the Rohingya genocide in Myanmar and ensure that the UN Security Council refers the situation to the International Criminal Court (ICC),” said Fortify Rights Monday.
Keep up pressure on Myanmar for Rohingya repatriation: FM to UK
Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen has urged the British government and parliament to keep up pressure on Myanmar for the “safe, dignified and voluntary” repatriation of the forcibly displaced Roihingyas to their homeland soon.
He reiterated the call at a meeting with the British Parliamentary delegation on the eve of the latter’s visit to the Rohingya camps in Kutupalong and Bhasan Char on Sunday.
Read: British parliamentary delegation visits Rohingya camps
UK’s Conservative Party MPs Thomas Patrick Hunt and Paul Bristow interacted with Rohingya leaders in Kutupalong and visited various facilities in the two camps.
They reaffirmed their solidarity with the Rohingya and assured them of remaining seized with their legitimate demands for citizenship, security and freedom of movement in Myanmar.
The UK MPs noted that the British people, especially the British Muslims, felt strongly about the Rohingya situation, and that the international community had a responsibility to stand by this large group of people generously supported by the government and the people of Bangladesh.
Bristow recalled the UK’s humanitarian assistance to the tune of 320 million GBP since 2017 and said they would continue to raise the issue of further improving the living conditions of the Rohingya while they awaited their repatriation.
Earlier, during their meeting with Foreign Minister Momen on Saturday evening, the British parliamentary delegation exchanged views on further enhancing trade and investment between the two countries in the post-BREXIT context.
They reiterated their appreciation for the multi-dimensional contributions being made by the British-Bangladesh diaspora in their respective constituencies as well as in the land of their origin or ancestors.
Minister Momen hoped that there would be exchange of high level political visits between the two countries on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations.
He recalled Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s various engagements during her visit to Glasgow and London in November 2021 and thanked the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) for undertaking the ‘Brit-Bangla Bandhan’ initiative.
The UK delegation thanked the Bangladesh Foreign Minister for accompanying them during their visits to the greater Sylhet region over the last weekend.
Read:Cambodian chairmanship of ASEAN to expedite Rohingya repatriation: FM
The delegation included, among others, Vijay Shamdas Daryanani, MP, Gibraltar Minister for Business, Tourism, Transport and the Port, Samantha Helen Cohen CVO, CEO of the Commonwealth Enterprise and Investment Council, and Zillur Hussain, MBE, Founder of Zi Foundation.
Faruk Khan, MP, Chairperson, Parliamentary Standing Committee on Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Shamima Begum, MP were present.
Cambodian chairmanship of ASEAN to expedite Rohingya repatriation: FM
Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen has said the Cambodian chairmanship of ASEAN provided a great opportunity for them to facilitate the speedy, safe and dignified return of the forcibly displaced Rohingyas to Myanmar.
Dr Momen spoke to Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Prak Sokhonn on Tuesday and discussed the issues of mutual interests.
Read:Rohingya Crisis: Dhaka voices concerns over security implications in entire region
The Foreign Minister congratulated his Cambodian counterpart on Cambodia’s assumption of ASEAN Chairmanship and on the latter’s appointment as the Special Envoy of the ASEAN Chair to Myanmar.
Dr Momen also sought to sensitize his Cambodian counterpart of the potential security risks to Bangladesh, Myanmar and to the greater region if the crisis is left festering for a much longer period of time due to the vulnerability of the displaced people to radicalism, extremism, terrorism and cross-border crimes.
Referring to the longstanding and excellent bilateral relations between the two countries, Dr Momen mentioned that Bangladesh highly valued its relations with Cambodia as an important partner in the neighborhood.
Bangladesh pushes for early repatriation of Rohingyas
Bangladesh has called for early, voluntary, safe and sustained repatriation of the Myanmar nationals temporarily sheltered in Bangladesh.
Bangladesh has expressed its willingness to work together to further the relationship with Myanmar alongside ensuring early repatriation of the Rohingyas to their place of origin in Rakhine state.
"As an immediate and friendly neighbour, the people of Bangladesh have been persistent in developing mutually beneficial relations with the people of Myanmar and will work together to further the relationship," said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in a message of felicitation on the occasion of the Independence Day of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar.
Also read: Early repatriation of Rohingyas lead priority, FM tells UN expert
On the occasion, the people of Bangladesh expressed greetings and felicitations to the people of Myanmar and wished them peace and prosperity.
Bangladesh is now hosting over 1.1 million Rohingyas in Cox’s Bazar district and Bhasan Char Island.
Also read: MoFA trashes reports on learning centre closure in Rohingya camps
Early repatriation of Rohingyas lead priority, FM tells UN expert
Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen on Sunday laid emphasis on early repatriation of Rohingyas to Myanmar stressing that the prolonged stay of Rohingyas in Bangladesh is increasingly making the situation untenable both for the Rohingyas and the host community.
“Early repatriation of the Rohingyas to Myanmar is our lead priority,” he conveyed the message to the UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Myanmar Tom Andrews during a meeting held at State guesthouse Padma.
Dr Momen said the prolongation of the stalemate in repatriation is making the Rohingyas more frustrated and susceptible to unlawful activities like smuggling of drugs, human trafficking and murder.
The Foreign Minister congratulated Tom Andrews on his important appointment and hoped his success to achieve the mandate of his position which is the human right violation in Myanmar, especially against Rohingyas.
He highlighted the extraordinary humanitarian gesture of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina by extending temporary shelters to the huge number of Forcibly Displaced Myanmar Nationals (FDMNs) Rohingya despite numerous constraints and challenges of Bangladesh.
Read: Bangladesh can't, shouldn't bear Rohingya responsibility alone: UN expert
To arrange early repatriation, Dr Momen said, both countries signed three instruments soon after the exodus in 2017 where Myanmar agreed to ensure safe early return of the Rohingya to Myanmar.
He regretted that not a single Rohingya could return to Myanmar despite Bangladesh’s multiple attempts for repatriation since 2017. “Creation of a conducive environment in Myanmar and confidence building mechanisms among the Rohingyas will pave the path for their voluntary and sustainable repatriation.”
He said the presence of ASEAN and UN representatives in Rakhine will contribute to building confidence among Rohingyas to return to Myanmar.
The Foreign Minister highlighted that Rohingyas are receiving informal education in Myanmar language following Myanmar curricula in Bangladesh through around 3,000 learning centres which would enable them to uphold their tradition and cultural values leading to their reintegration in Myanmar society in return.
He expressed frustration that some unauthorized privately run learning centering, madrasas and even coaching centres run by Rohingyas are promoting radicalism in camps following separate teaching materials and motives.
Hence, Dr Momen said, the government has asked to stop those unauthorized activities.
However, the authorized learning centres are continuing the learning activities with the support of UNICEF and INGOs/NGOs following the government’s Covid-related guidelines, the Foreign Minister said.
Read: MoFA trashes reports on learning centre closure in Rohingya camps
Describing the conditions in Bhasan Char, the Foreign Minister mentioned that Bangladesh has developed the island as a temporary shelter for the FDMNs to de-risk and decongest the camps in Cox’s Bazar spending US$350 million from its own resources.
He hoped that the UN agencies will expeditiously engage to provide humanitarian assistance to the Rohingyas staying there.
The Foreign Minister underscored that humanities assistance is required but the ultimate solution lies in the sustainable repatriation of the Rohingyas and the international community must work to realize that goal.
He advised the Rapporteur to visit Rohingyas living in Myanmar and in other countries in order to carry out his mandate.
Tom Andrews thanked the Foreign Minister for receiving him and extending all cooperation during his visit.
Describing himself as a “Friend of Bangladesh”, the Rapporteur assured Dhaka of working in line with the priorities of Bangladesh for safe and dignified repatriation of the Rohingyas to Myanmar.
He promised to take efforts to visit Myanmar to see the ground realities prevailing there, engage with Rohingyas living in other countries and the humanitarian actors working in Myanmar.