DHAKA: Bangladesh has initiated multilateral diplomatic efforts as bilateral talks yield no substantial progress over the issue of safe Rohingya repatriation.

“We are taking multilateral diplomatic efforts to make Myanmar agree to such arrangements for rapid repatriation of the Rohingyas. There is no progress in bilateral talks on the issue,” said Md Shahriar Alam, State Minister for Foreign Affairs. 

He was talking to reporters after a meeting with Penelope Mary Mordaunt, Secretary of State for International Development of the United Kingdom, at State Guest House-Padma on Tuesday (February 19).

“The UK stands by Bangladesh on the Rohingya crisis,” said Penelope Mary Mordaunt.

The UK will put utmost priority and exert pressure on Myanmar for Rohingya repatriation, pressure on Myanmar for facilitating immediate repatriation, the UK Secretary of State added.

From 25 August this year till date, about 550,000 Rohingyas fled from Myanmar’s Rakhine state into Bangladesh. They still are coming. 

Despite Bangladesh’s own huge population, the government has provided them to shelter on humanitarian grounds.

BDST: 1842 HRS, FEB 19, 2019
AH/RS/SMS