BSS-37 Rohingya issue:

1457

ZCZC

BSS-37

PM-POLITICS 3 DHAKA

Rohingya issue:

The prime minister said Bangladesh has given shelter to the Rohingyas on a humanitarian ground as inhuman torture was perpetrated on them.

“Alongside we’re holding talks with the Myanmar government for the repatriation of the forcibly displaced Rohingyas. We also signed agreements with them and they agreed to take back the Rohingyas,” she said.

Sheikh Hasina said the Myanmar government had prepared a list of the Rohingyas to be taken back by Myanmar and the UNHCR has approved it.

“When they were supposed to go, at that time they started protesting on a plea that they will not return,” she said.

“If we could have sent back some Rohingyas, the repatriation will have continued,” she said.

The prime minister said Bangladesh has already discussed the Rohingya issue with Russia, China, India and Japan. They’ve agreed to make all sorts of arrangements… we’ve also discussed the issues with five countries which have borders with Myanmar,” she said.

Sheikh Hasina said the representatives of three top UN organizations including the UNHCR and IOM met her on the repatriation of the Rohingyas.

“They informed me that they wanted to do something for the Rohingyas. But I told them you can make arrangements of living and livelihood, education and healthcare and overall security and safety for the Rohingyas,” she said.

“The UN and other international agencies showed their interest to do something for the Rohingyas, but there is severe reluctance of the Myanmar government in this regard,” she said.

Sheikh Hasina said when the talks about repatriation of the refugees are raised, an unrest starts in Myanmar’s Rakhaine state.

In this connection, the prime minister said if the refugees stay here, some people give attention to their nurturing, but they do not become sincere in sending back to their homeland.

“I told three top UN representatives that the monsoon is nearing. So cyclone, tidal surge and landslide may take place at that time and if the any accident of the Rohingyas occurs, who will be responsible for it,” she said.

“These organizations will also have to take responsibility to some extent for this,” she continued.

Sheikh Hasina said she had already informed the United Nations about the vulnerability of the Rohingyas in the upcoming monsoon. “Our efforts are going on in this regard and we want they go back to their homes,” she said.

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