DHAKA: The Bangladesh government will go for tougher position on Rohingyas’ repatriation to Myanmar, Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen says.
He said this while briefing journalists at a Bangabandhu Memorial Museum in Dhanmondi on Friday (August 23) after attending a discussion styled 'August 15 and its impact on Bangladesh'.
The foreign minister said the Bangladeshi government will work to convince Myanmar and the international community to take the Rohingyas back to their country through a tougher stand.
Mentioning that the onus was now on Myanmar authorities and international community to address the Rohingyas’ repatriation, Momen said "We have kept request of the international community on giving shelter to Rohingyas. We did everything we had to do on humanitarian ground. Now it is the responsibility of the Myanmar and the international community to take the Rohingya back to their homeland. Myanmar has the responsibility to convince Rohingyas by creating a favorable environment because they are its citizens.
Vietnam, China, Russia and even India are now in solidarity with our position, the Bangladesh FM added.
Raising strong demand to the international community, the Foreign Minister said, "We will tell the international community that they should go to Myanmar. For that a commission can be made. The Commission, the United Nations Refugee Agency and others should travel to Myanmar for ensuring a favorable environment for the Rohingya in Myanmar. Now all stakeholders have to think new over the Rohingya issue.
For Myanmar, he said Myanmar should bring confidence, trust among its people. This is Myanmar’s responsibility, not ours. We've done a lot. The Rohingya have to repatriate for the sake of peace and stability of Bangladesh and this region.
He said the process would continue despite the failure of second attempt of Rohingya repatriation which was scheduled for Thursday August 22.
BDST: 1506 HRS, AUG 23, 2019
RS