NEW DELHI, Nov 13, 2018 (BSS) – Bangladesh today urged Delhi-based foreign diplomats to play their role in keeping a sustained international pressure on Myanmar for dignified return and safety of Rohingyas in their homeland, as the country’s high commissioner to India briefed foreign envoys here.
“A continued and sustained international pressure on Myanmar would be catalyst for a long term solution,” High Commissioner Syed Muazzem Ali said while briefing more than 60 diplomats in Delhi as they are concurrently accredited to Bangladesh.
He said the Rohingya issue was one of the worst humanitarian crisis created by Myanmar forcing Bangladesh to bear its brunt as over 700,000 Rohingyas were forced to flee their home to evade atrocities since 25 August in 2017.
“Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina let the persecuted men, women and children to enter Bangladesh on humanitarian consideration (but) it is now time for the refugees to return to their homes under a continued and sustainable repatriation programme,” Ali said.
The hour-long briefing session was held to update the diplomats about the latest development on Rohingya crisis and to seek support for the OIC and EU resolution entitled “Human Right Situation in Myanmar”, table at the 3rd Committee of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA).
Ninety nine countries by now co-sponsored the draft resolution which will be considered by the 3rd Committee on Nov. 15.
Last year, a resolution on the “Situation of Rohingya Muslims in Myanmar” was overwhelmingly adopted at the 3rd Committee with 135 countries voting in favor, 10 against and 26 abstaining.
Ali said a permanent solution to the crisis lies in the implementation of the three-point solution proposed by Sheikh Hasina at the last UNGA session.
The proposal seeks to obligate Myanmar to end discriminatory laws, policies and practices against minority group, create a conducive environment through building trust and protect rights and end atrocious crimes against Rohingyas.
The High Commissioner said over 2,000 Rohingya refugees are expected to leave for Myanmar on Nov. 15 in the first batch of voluntary and verified repatriation under a bilateral agreement between Bangladesh and Myanmar and it is being supervised by UNHCR.
“It is a token repatriation and it will be a test case for Myanmar,” he said.