Dhaka wants Myanmar to be sincere about Rohingya repatriation

Mentioning that Bangladesh will not forcefully repatriate Rohingyas, Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen on Wednesday urged Myanmar to be sincere about the repatriation of these displaced people.

"We won't forcefully repatriate or relocate Rohingyas but we hope Myanmar will show sincerity in resolving the issue," he said.

The Foreign Minister was talking to reporters after attending a seminar on Sustainable Development Goal 3 arranged by Palli Karma Shahayak Foundation (PKSF) in the city's Agargaon area. 

"The Myanmar government has the responsibility to convince these people [Rohingyas] to return...we won't force anyone [to go back]," Dr Momen said. 

He added that it is not clear whether Myanmar has built any shelter for Rohingyas or not. "The Myanmar government has surely made some arrangements for them (Rohingyas)."  

The Foreign Minister went on saying, "It's the duty of Myanmar government to ensure their security....it should also make sure that their nationals [Rohingyas] feel safe enough to return."

The Foreign Minister further said an international team, including ambassadors of different countries, will visit Rakhine soon to see the situation there on the ground. 

He, however, did not say when exactly the delegation will make the visit.   

Turning to the issue of relocating Rohingyas to Bhashan Char in Noakhali, Dr Momen said there has been no decision yet in this regard.  "Relocating Rohingyas to Bhashan Char is a temporary solution. The real solution is to get the Myanmar people back to Myanmar." 

Health and Family Welfare Secretary Sheikh Yusuf Harun and Prof Niaz Ahmed Khan of Dhaka University also spoke at the programme held with PKSF Chairman Dr Qazi Khaliquzzaman in the chair.