Safe voluntary return of Rohingyas to homeland is only solution: PM

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Friday said the voluntary return of the displaced Rohingyas to their homes in the Rakhine State with safety, security and dignity is the only solution to the crisis. 

The premier also noted that the Rohingya crisis has the potential to destabilise Bangladesh and beyond.

“We’re currently hosting over 1.1 million Rohingyas. It has the potential to destabilise our country and beyond. We’re constrained to seek the support of the international community in resolving the crisis. Voluntary return of the Rohingyas to their homes in the Rakhine state in safety, security and dignity is the only solution to the crisis,” she said.

The Prime Minister said this at the plenary session of the 18th Summit of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) in Baku, the capital city of Azerbaijan.

The session titled ‘Upholding the Bandung Principles to ensure concerted and adequate response to the challenges of the contemporary world’ was held at the Baku Congress Centre.

Sheikh Hasina said the Rohingya crisis is a political one deeply rooted in Myanmar. “Thus, its solution has to be found inside Myanmar.”

Despite the socio-economic successes, Bangladesh is currently dealing with two challenges – Rohingya crisis and adverse impacts of climate change, she said, highlighting Bangladesh’s progress in different socio-economic indexes.

About impacts of climate change, Sheikh Hasina said although Bangladesh has little responsibility for global warming, it is suffering heavily from its devastating impacts.

“The international response to climate change, particularly that of developed countries, must, therefore, fully respect the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change,” she said.