PM for quick repatriation of Rohingyas

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Tuesday stressed the quick repatriation of Myanmar’s forcibly displaced Rohingya people from Bangladesh to their own living places in Rakhaine.

The Prime Minister said this when newly appointed UN Resident Coordinator and UNDP Resident Representative in Bangladesh Mia Seppo met her at her Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban office in the evening.

After the meeting, Prime Minister’s Press Secretary Ihsanul Karim briefed reporters.

Sheikh Hasina said the process could be expedited once the repatriation of the Rohingyas starts.

She renewed her call to the international community, including the UN, to keep up the pressure on the government of Myanmar so that they take back their all the nationals to their homeland.

The Prime Minister also put emphasis on both bilateral and multi-lateral efforts to resolve the Rohingya crisis.

She extend her gratitude to the UN agencies and assemblies like the UNGA, UN Security Council, UN Human Rights Council for supporting Bangladesh and address the issue.

Hasina also thanked the development partners and other international communities for their emergency services to the Rohingya people who fled to Bangladesh.

About the impact of such huge Ronhigya influx on Bangladesh, the Prime Minister said local people in Cox’s Bazar are suffering as they cannot cultivate their lands. More importantly, she added, the environment is being affected due to the stay of the refugees.

Hasina also elaborated various efforts of her government for the development and empowerment of women in Bangladesh and said some 45,000 women contested the local government body elections.

During the meeting, the new UN Resident Coordinator and UNDP Resident Representative highly appreciated Hasina for providing shelter to the Rohingyas saying her government showed an incredible compassion in this regard.

Mia Seppo said such huge influx of the Myanmar nationals from Rakhaine in just three weeks’ time is surprising.

The UN Resident Coordinator also lauded the efforts and good management of the government in providing various assistance and support, and sheltering such huge refugees.

She, however, put importance to decongestion of Rohingya camps to ensure a healthy environment there as those are overpopulated. 

Source: unb