PM urges int'l community to pursue Myanmar to take back Rohingyas

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today urged the international community including the UNHCR to pursue Myanmar to take back Rohingya refugees from Bangladesh.

In a meeting with visiting United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi at the PM's Jatiya Sangsad Office this evening, the premier also said the prolonged refugee problem can only be solved ultimately by ensuring a "sustainable repatriation" of the Myanmar refugees to their homeland.

"Myanmar should create a congenial atmosphere for the repatriation of its refugees from Bangladesh," PM's Press Secretary Ihsanul Karim quoted the premier as saying while briefing reporters after the meeting. 

The prime minister said the Myanmar refugee problem has created a pressure on the socioeconomic condition of the over populated Bangladesh.

Sheikh Hasina said her government has identified some island areas for rehabilitation of the Myanmar refugees and planned to build necessary infrastructures, shelter, schools and hospitals for them.

The prime minister said Bangladesh had insurgency problem in the Chittagong Hill Tracts region but the problem was ultimately solved trough bilateral discussions. 

"We brought back our nationals who took refugee in India," she said. 

The prime minister reiterated her government's firm stance that none will be allowed to use Bangladesh's soil for any insurgent or terrorist activities in neighbouring countries. 

She said Bangladesh has good relations with all neighbouring countries including Myanmar. 

The premier recalled the visit of Myanmar security advisor to Bangladesh and said both countries are continuing discussions on economic development. 

The UN High Commissioner for Refugees assured Bangladesh of extending all possible help to solve the refugee problem. 

Filippo Grandi expressed immense gratitude to Bangladesh for its sacrifice by giving shelter to a huge number of Myanmar refugees.

"Bangladesh needs full appreciation and recognition for the sacrifice it is making for the Rohingya refugees," he said. 

PM's Principal Secretary Dr Kamal Abdul Naser Chowdhury and UNHCR Country Representative in Bangladesh Shinji Kubo were present on the occasion. 

Grandi arrived in Dhaka on a three-day visit on Saturday afternoon to discuss the Rohingya issue with the government and see their situation in Cox's Bazar camps.

Source: bss