Rohingyas
Dhaka reminds int’l community of responsibility towards Rohingyas
Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen has stressed on the international community’s responsibility towards establishing accountability and justice for the massive human rights violations perpetrated against Rohingyas in Myanmar.
Dr Momen had a meeting with United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet Jeria in Geneva on Tuesday where he raised the issue.
He reiterated Bangladesh’s strong commitment to promoting the safe, dignified and voluntary return of the Rohingyas in a conducive environment in Myanmar.
READ: New film, 'EXODUS', provides unique window into lives of Rohingyas: Fortify Rights
Dr Momen conveyed Bangladesh’s readiness to work with Myanmar, UNHCR, OHCHR and other concerned parties to bring about a sustainable and durable solution.
Bangladesh continues to bear the burden of over 1.1 million Rohingyas as no repatriation took place over the last four years amid “lack of initiative” from the Myanmar side and “inadequate steps” by the international community.
Four years ago, Myanmar's military launched a horrific "ethnic cleansing" against the Rohingya in northern Rakhine State. The brutality of the military’s atrocities on that day shocked the conscience of the international community.
The last exodus began on 25 August 2017, when violence broke out in Myanmar’s Rakhine State, forcing thousands of Rohingyas to seek shelter in Bangladesh.
Bangladesh had handed over a list of 840,000 Rohingyas to Myanmar for verification but the verification process by the Myanmar side was very slow, Dhaka says.
Repatriation attempt failed twice in November 2018 and August 2019 amid Rohingyas' lack of trust in the Myanmar government.
READ: US welcomes NUG's inclusive path forward for Rohingyas
Bangladesh and Myanmar signed the repatriation deal on November 23, 2017. On January 16, 2018, Bangladesh and Myanmar signed a document on ‘Physical Arrangement’, which was supposed to facilitate the return of Rohingyas to their homeland.
Dr Momen, UK Minister Raab to meet to chart post-Brexit new strategic partnership vision
Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen and British Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs Dominic Raab are scheduled to hold their official meeting in London on Thursday to chart a post-Brexit and post-Covid new strategic partnership vision.
"The official bilateral talks will be a historic occasion as the Bangladesh and UK Foreign Ministers will be meeting in London for the first time during the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between our two friendly countries," said Bangladesh High Commissioner to the UK and Ireland Saida Muna Tasneem.
Britain was one of the first countries in Europe to recognise Bangladesh’s independence on Feb 4, 1972.
Read:Int'l support architecture for Asia-Pacific LDCs need of the hour: Momen
The visit of Dr Momen is also highly significant as it would provide an opportunity to set the tone for Bangladesh CVF Presidency’s high-level participation in the upcoming COP26 scheduled in Glasgow in early November under UK’s Presidency, said High Commissioner Tasneem.
Return of the Rohingyas back to Myanmar and regional security issues will also feature in the discussions, said the High Commissioner.
The Foreign Minister is due to discuss the entire gamut of bilateral issues with the UK Foreign Secretary from post-Brexit trade relations, Bangladesh-UK new economic partnership vision to post-covid vaccine cooperation and lifting Bangladesh out of UK’s travel red list.
Bangladeshi-British diaspora and work opportunities of skilled professionals from Bangladesh would also feature high in the talks, said the envoy.
On his arrival on Wednesday, the Foreign Minister will be received by High CommissionerTasneem at the Heathrow Airport.
Prior to the bilateral talks with the UK Foreign Minister, Dr Momen will also have a bilateral meeting with COP26 President Alok Sharma at 9 Downing Street to discuss the COP26 agenda for Bangladesh with a particular focus on loss and damage and the proposed CVF-COP26 Leaders’ Summit under Bangladesh Presidency.
Read: Momen-Raab talks in London soon with focus on boosting ties
Apart from the official meetings, the Foreign Minister will deliver a climate talk on “Forging a CVF-COP26 Climate Solidarity” at the UK's leading think tank Chatham House, organized jointly by Bangladesh High Commission and Chatham House.
The event will also be attended by Maldives Speaker and former President and CVF Thematic Ambassador for Ambition Mohamed Nasheed along with a number of CVF Ambassadors and High Commissioners and climate experts.
The Minister will deliver a keynote speech on “Bangladesh-UK at 50:Towards a post-Brexit, post-Covid Economic Vision” at a high-profile business dialogue with British and British-Bangladesh chambers, including three mainstream chambers- British Chambers of Commerce, London Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Commonwealth Enterprise and Investment Council.
Bangladesh High Commission in collaboration with British-Bangladesh Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BBCCI) is organising the event.
Dedicating to the philosophy of peace and non-violence of Bangladesh’s Founding Father Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and marking his birth centenary, the Foreign Minister is expected to inaugurate a peace grove in central London.
Read: FM to attend series of programs in Switzerland, Netherlands
Dr Momen will visit the Bangladesh High Commission when he will officially inaugurate the Bangabandhu Library, the Centennial Portrait of Bangabandhu, the Bangabandhu Consular Week and the extended premises of Bangladesh High Commission at 27 Queens’ Gate.
He will also participate in an interactive dialogue with Bangladeshi young talented students from UK’s eminent universities.
During his UK visit, Dr Momen is expected to meet some British MPs and dignitaries at official and civic receptions and join community events, including the NRB Foundation and CAP Foundation programmes, to exchange views with expatriate Bangladeshis from the UK and Europe.
‘Will remain alert,' says FM about Afghan-trained terrorists
Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen on Tuesday said Bangladesh will remain alert about any Afghan-trained terrorist though they were "identified and uprooted”.
"We'll surely remain alert. We don't want it again," he told reporters and reiterated that there is no scope for Bangladesh to give temporary shelter to people from Afghanistan as requested by the US.
Asked what will be Bangladesh’s position if other Saarc countries give shelter to Afghan people, Dr Momen said they need to see the situation on the ground first before making a comment.
Read:Bangladesh to welcome new Afghan govt if it’s of people: FM
On Monday night, the Foreign Minister told UNB that Bangladesh has turned down a request from the United States to give temporary shelter to some people from Afghanistan saying Bangladesh is already in a big problem by giving shelter to over 1.1 million Rohingyas.
The request came from diplomatic channels both from Washington and in Dhaka.
The Foreign Minister said getting the request means that the US has a confidence on Bangladesh and that is the positive sign but Bangladesh is unable to accept it.
Dr Momen said the US is a friendly country to Bangladesh and conveyed to them that Bangladesh is already facing many problems by giving shelter to the Rohingyas.
“Don’t put us into further trouble,” he said, mentioning what Bangladesh conveyed to the US side after receiving the request.
The US side first reached out to the Bangladesh Ambassador in Washington with the request which was later conveyed to Dhaka.
Dr Momen said Bangladesh wanted to know the name of the countries that the US requested for giving people from Afghanistan a temporary shelter and how many in numbers. “No specific reply was found.”
He said the Rohingyas came to Bangladesh almost four years ago but no Rohingya was repatriated. "There is no violence in Rakhine for last few years. They should go back."
Read:Pakistan, U.S. speak on Afghanistan's future
Dr Momen said Bangladesh wants development of all countries in Saarc including development of Afghanistan.
Vaccination: UNHCR lauds Bangladesh for inclusion of Rohingyas
UNHCR has welcomed the commencement of the vaccination of Rohingyas in Cox's Bazar in line with national authorities’ broader public health efforts.
"We are grateful to the Government of Bangladesh for having included Rohingya refugees in the vaccination campaign," said Johannes Van Der Klaauw, UNHCR’s Representative in Bangladesh, on Wednesday.
The UN refugee agency said equitable inclusion of Rohingyas in allocation of vaccines is critical to curbing the spread of the ongoing pandemic.
"The Rohingya refugee and host community volunteers have an essential frontline role in containing the spread of COVID-19 in the camps. The first step in fully protecting communities; however, is through the rollout of vaccination," UNHCR’s Representative in Bangladesh emphasized.
On Tuesday, over 4,000 Rohingyas received their first COVID-19 vaccine, as part of a national vaccination drive to curb the spread of the deadly virus.
Read: Covid kills 237 more in Bangladesh as Delta strain takes hold
Rohingyas eligible for vaccination in the first cohort include some 48,000 individuals over 55 years of age. The drive will continue until August 17.
The vaccination drive for Rohingyas is being led by the Bangladesh authorities with technical support from the UN Refugee Agency, the World Health Organization and other humanitarian partners.
The fight against the pandemic has been led by thousands of refugee and host community volunteers, who have worked since 2020 on informing refugees about health and hygiene, monitoring any signs of illness, and connecting the refugee community with critical health services.
While the threat of COVID-19 remains critical, their efforts have helped to prevent and curb outbreaks and have saved lives, said the UN agency.
The vaccinations follow the devastating monsoon rains that hit Cox’s Bazar District over the past weeks, causing flash floods and landslides which killed eight Rohingya refugees and 15 Bangladeshis in the host communities.
Read: Vaccination drive in Bangladesh: Procurement of 60 mln Sinopharm doses gets nod
Almost 25,000 refugees were displaced due to landslides, flooding, wind and storms.
Thousands of facilities have been damaged including primary health clinics, distribution points and latrines.
Access was hindered due to damage to roads, pathways and bridges.
UNHCR’s Emergency Response Teams, and partners, refugee and host community volunteers were deployed to assess the damage, to provide support to families forced to relocate, to begin immediate repairs of shelters and other site improvements and to ensure access to essential services for all.
While the weather has improved over the last few days, the monsoon season will continue for another couple of months followed by the cyclone season.
Refugee Policy Review done by UNHCR following its framework
The World Bank on Tuesday said the Refugee Policy Review was done by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) following the Refugee Policy Review Framework.
UNHCR collected baseline information on the existing policies, practices, and programmes, said the global lending agency in a statement posted on its website.
The WB said the review does not make any country-specific recommendations.
Earlier, Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen also said the it was for the countries which are hosting refugees.
On Monday, he reiterated the government position against any long term programme by the World Bank for integration of Rohingyas into Bangladesh but indicated some adjustments on the proposal.
Read: Bangladesh receives $590 million World Bank financing to tackle Rohingya situation
"We have dropped all ideas (from WB proposal) that doesn't match with our own philosophy that's repatriation," Dr Momen, adding that Bangladesh's priority remains repatriation of the Rohingyas.
The World Bank is helping Bangladesh address the needs of the displaced Rohingya population until their safe and voluntarily return to Myanmar, said the statement.
The World Bank is also supporting Bangladesh to minimize the impact of the influx on the host communities, it said.
The World Bank has committed $590 million for Bangladesh to address the health, informal education, safety net, water and sanitation, and basic infrastructure, including climate resilient roads, solar street lights, and disaster preparedness needs of both the displaced Rohingya and host communities in Cox’s Bazar.
The World Bank’s research and analysis are also providing insights for understanding the challenges and development priorities in Cox’s Bazar.
Read: Repatriation is the only solution, not integration: FM about Rohingya crisis
"The entire $590 million financing is on grant terms. This is not a credit," reads the statement.
The Refugee Policy Review aims to evaluate the effectiveness and impact of the World Bank financing for the refugee and host communities, said the WB.
This review has been done in each of the 14 World Bank member countries that are currently hosting displaced population.
Poor host communities fume as Rohingyas start grabbing local labour market
An anger is growing among poor hosts as the Rohingyas, living in Bangladesh’s tourism hub of Cox’s Bazar, are increasingly joining the local labour market, leaving many locals out of their jobs and small businesses.
The host communities claimed that Rohingyas can easily come out from their camps and get engaged in work at the local labour market with their increased presence.
“You need to pay a local labourer Tk 600 a day and you can do the same job engaging a Rohingya with only Tk 200-300. Naturally, the Rohingyas get a preference when someone hires a day-labourer,” one of the locals told UNB, wishing not to be named.
Bangladesh is hosting over 1.1 million Rohingyas in Cox’s Bazar district and Bhasan Char.
The UN is likely to begin its operational activities in Bhasan Char in September if the current negotiation ends with the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) in August.
Palangkhali UP chairman in Ukhiya upazila M Gafur Uddin Chowdhury said locals are no longer getting desired jobs as Rohingyas are preferred for lower wages. “Even, no one is stopping it… even the Rohingyas are getting involved in small businesses.”
Hamidul Haque Chowdhury who works to protect the interests of locals said the Rohingyas are even working in various NGOs.
Read: Floods, landslides hit Rohingya camps hard: UNHCR
“They also work in various shops and doing household works. I myself saw them doing all this,” he told UNB, adding that Rohingya workers and employees are outnumbering the locals.
Mohammad Shamsu Douza, Additional Refugee Relief and Repatriation Commissioner, said they have no such information that the Rohingyas are working in various NGOs.
Floods, landslides hit Rohingya camps hard: UNHCR
More than 12,000 refugees have been affected, while an estimated 2,500 shelters have been damaged or destroyed by heavy downpours, the UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, has said.
In the last 24 hours alone, over 300mm of rain fell on camps hosting more than 8 lakh Rohingya refugees – nearly half the monthly rainfall average for July in one day.
Three days of heavy monsoon rains and strong winds pelted massive refugee sites in Bangladesh's Cox's Bazar Tuesday, causing flash floods and landslides; the situation is further compounded by the Covid-19 pandemic, the UNHCR said.
More rains are expected in the next few days, with the monsoon season stretching over the next three months, the UN agency added.
Read: Landslide kills 5 at Cox’s Bazar Rohingya camp
There is currently a strict national lockdown in response to rising cases across the country.
In support of the government-led response, the UNHCR's network of emergency response teams have been deployed, to provide immediate support and assistance to affected families and to those forced to temporarily relocate.
Teams are also assessing the damage to shelters and initiating immediate shelter repairs and site improvements.
Refugee volunteers trained by the UNHCR, and partners are also working day and night in heavy rain to help families in urgent need. In some cases, this has involved rescuing refugees from shelters destroyed by landslides.
Read: Govt to vaccinate Rohingyas gradually starting with above-55s: Foreign Secretary
So far, more than 5,000 refugees have temporarily relocated to other family member's shelters or communal facilities.
The adverse weather, latest landslides and floods further exacerbate the suffering and massive humanitarian needs of the Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh.
To date, the 2021 Joint Response Plan for the Rohingya humanitarian crisis in Bangladesh has received only $274 million, roughly 30% of the $943 million required for the response this year.
Govt to vaccinate Rohingyas gradually starting with above-55s: Foreign Secretary
The government has decided to vaccinate the Rohingyas as part of an inclusive vaccination programme.
Although no start date was offered, a preliminary decision was announced that in the first phase, those who are above 55 years old will be considered.
Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen, while talking to reporters on Tuesday, said the host communities around the Rohingya camps have frequent communication with the Rohingyas and the government wants to keep both protected.
READ: Covid-19: Govt to vaccinate 25 lakh people each month
He said the age bar will be brought down gradually in line with the supply of the vaccines in Bangladesh from different sources.
The Foreign Secretary said there will be no discrimination in terms of vaccination considering the “practicality" - the fact that no one is protected unless everyone is protected from a contagion.
Earlier, UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, sought stronger global support for refugee vaccinations in Asia, including Rohingyas who are living in Bangladesh. Bangladesh is now hosting over 1.1 million Rohingyas in Cox’s Bazar and Bhasan Char.
The vaccination of refugees was scheduled to start by the end of March 2021. However, the date had to be postponed as the arrival of the COVAX vaccines was delayed.
Responding to a question on air-bubble with India, the Foreign Secretary said they are in discussion and a proposal regarding resumption of this special arrangement is in place.
READ: All adults to be gradually vaccinated: Health Minister
He hoped that the air-bubble arrangement would be resumed at a mutually convenient time in August on a limited scale as the situation in India is improving.
Dhaka calls for 'effective actions' to repatriate Rohingyas
Bangladesh has reiterated its emphatic call to the international community to take more effective actions in ensuring safe, dignified and sustainable repatriation of Rohingyas now taking shelter in Bangladesh to their own lands in Myanmar.
Shabbir Ahmad Chowdhury, Secretary (West) of Ministry of Foreign Affairs made the call at a panel discussion titled "Humanitarian Approach Towards Refugees and Migrants."
Read:Cash, gold dug out from Ukhiya camp, Rohingya couple held
The discussion was held as part of the Antalya Diplomacy Forum that ended in Antalya, Turkey on Sunday.
Elaborating the measures undertaken by the government in addressing the humanitarian needs of Rohingyas as far as possible, Chowdhury underlined the need for immediate resolution of this crisis in view of the challenges it is presenting, not only to Bangladesh, but also to the entire region.
Moderated by Andrea Sanke, an acclaimed media personality in Turkey, the panel was also addressed by Antonio Vitiligo, Director General of International Organization of Migration, Dr. Kerem Kinik, President of Turkish Red Crescent, Michael Spindelegger, Director General of International Centre for Migration Policy and Development and Dr. Savas Unlu, Director General of Migration Management of Ministry of Interior, Turkey.
On the sidelines of panel discussions, Chowdhury held a bilateral meeting with Joshua Phopho Setipa, Managing Director, United Nations Technology Bank where both sides discussed how this particular Bank could be engaged in the process of Bangladesh's transition to a developing economy from LDC status.
They also discussed the possibility of setting up a regional Centre of LDC Technology Bank in Dhaka.
Read: UNHCR Goodwill Ambassador Tahsan visits Cox's Bazar Rohingya camps
A meeting was also held between Secretary Chowdhury and Karat Sarybay, Executive Director, CICA where both the dignitaries shared their perspectives on a range of contemporary issues including geopolitical uncertainty, economic volatility, security turmoil and pandemic dangers across Asia in particular and globe in general.
They underlined the need for stepping up collaboration between and among the Asian nations more than ever.
Stating the Foreign policy dictum of Father of the Nation of Bangabandu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman "Friendship to all, malice towards none" Secretary Chowdhury expressed the commitment of Bangladesh towards building peaceful sustainable societies across the world and more particularly across Asia.
He also appraised him of the encouraging economic growth of Bangladesh amidst the pandemic and phenomenal socio-economic developments that the country has scripted in the recent time.
Sarybay deeply appreciated the Bangladesh leadership for continued economic success of Bangladesh and efficient handling of pandemic.
Chowdhury also had a bilateral meeting with the 1st Deputy Foreign Minister of Turkey Sedat Onal in the afternoon.
Read:Speakers: Both formal and informal diplomacy needed to solve Rohingya problem
During the meeting, among other issues, they discussed the possible State visit of Turkish President to Bangladesh, continued collaboration on the Rohingya issue bilaterally and multilaterally, enhancement of trade including the possibility of duty reduction on some specific items, welcoming of Turkish investments in SEZ and High Tech Parks in Bangladesh.
They also agreed to hold the next sessions of JEC (Joint Economic Commission) and FOC (Foreign Office Consultation) in Dhaka at the earliest.
Resolution on Myanmar fails to recommend actions on Rohingya repatriation: Dhaka
Bangladesh has expressed “deep disappointment” over the new resolution on Myanmar at the United Nations General Assembly as ‘it has failed to recommend actions” on repatriation of the Rohingyas and adequately reflect on the crisis.
“The resolution that was adopted falls far short of our expectations,” said Permanent Representative of Bangladesh to the UN Ambassador Rabab Fatima after adoption of the resolution on the ‘Situation in Myanmar’ at the 75th session of the UNGA.
In an explanation of vote by Bangladesh, she said the resolution failed to recognize in its operative part, the urgent need for creating conditions for the safe, voluntary and sustainable return of the displaced minorities of Myanmar, particularly the Rohingyas.