BSS-52 Bangladesh making all efforts to repatriate Rohingyas: Momen

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BSS-52

MOMEN-ROHINGYAS-CTG

Bangladesh making all efforts to repatriate Rohingyas: Momen

CHATTOGRAM, Jan 10, 2021 (BSS) – Foreign Minister Dr. AK Abdul Momen said it was not possible to send back the Rohingyas to their homeland in three and a half years due to the lack of sincerity of Myanmar.

“The Rohingya do not want to go back to Myanmar because they do not trust the government of their country. However, Bangladesh government is making all kinds of efforts to send them back to Myanmar,” he said

Dr Momen also said complications regarding the Rohingya issue are growing up due to the intervention of third parties.

Foreign Minister Dr. AK Abdul Momen made the comments as the chief guest while addressing publication ceremony of two books at Bangabandhu hall of Chattogram Press Club this afternoon.

The two books written by Major (Retd.) Mohammad Emdadul Islam, a former diplomat of Myanmar embassy, are “Rohingya: A Lonely Oppressed Ethnic Group and “Where Do We Go after The Last Border”.

The event was organized by the publication company Kharimati.

Vice Chancellor of Chattogram University (CU) professor Shirin Akter presided over the function while Deputy Minister for Education Barrister Mahibul Hasan Chowdhury Nawfel and dean of CU law faculty Professor Abul Bashar Mohammad Abu Noman addressed the function as special guests.

Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen said talks are underway with Myanmar over the repatriation of Rohingyas.

“I saw many Rohingyas came to our country in 1978 and 1992. About 253,000 Rohingyas took shelter in our country in 1992. About 230,000 Rohingya later repatriated through negotiations with Myanmar. That is why we are optimistic about repatriation. Yet they said that they will take them. But it is difficult to say when they took them back,” he added.

“They keep saying again and again that they will take their people. But we said, Ok, take them, but you must ensure their safety. The Myanmar government said that they will ensure their (Rohingya) security. The Myanmar authority also said that they are creating a conducive environment for them. But sadly, not a single Rohingya has returned till today though almost three and a half years have passed due to lack of sincerity of Myanmar,” he continued.

“Have you seen anywhere in the world giving shelter to 11 lakh people?” he said.

“One million displaced people from Syria, Yemen and Iraq have struggled to find shelter in 27 European countries. But Bangabandhu daughter Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has given shelter to 1.1 million people here for humanitarian reasons,” he added.

BSS/MAM/KS/RY/22:10hrs