BSS-44 PM places 3-point recommendation to solve Rohingya crisis

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BSS-44

PM-REFUGEES-GLOBAL IMPACT

PM places 3-point recommendation to solve Rohingya crisis

NEW YORK, Sept 24, 2018 (BSS) – Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today said
the global community must act to get scrapped Myanmar’s discriminatory laws,
policies and practices against Rohingyas to resolve the crisis involving them
as she joined a high-level event on the global refugee issue here.

“Bangladesh is now facing the largest forced movement in shortest time of
over 1.1 million traumatized Rohingyas. They have been forcibly displaced
from their homes in Rakhine State of Myanmar where they had been living for
centuries,” she told the event placing the three-point recommendation.

Firstly, the premier said Myanmar must abolish discriminatory laws,
policies and practices against the Rohingyas and address the root causes of
their “forced displacement in a genuine and timely manner”.

Secondly, She said Myanmar as well must create a conducive environment by building
trust and guaranteeing protection, rights and pathway to citizenship for all
Rohingyas. If needed, create a “safe zone” inside Myanmar to protect all
civilians.

Thirdly, Sheikh Hasina said the people concerned in Myanmar must be held
accountable and exposed to justice to prevent atrocity crimes against
Rohingyas in light of the Fact-Finding Mission of the UN Human Rights Council
recommendations.

The UN High Commissioner for Refugees organized the ‘High-level Event on
the Global Compact on Refugees: A Model for Greater Solidarity and
Cooperation’ at the UN Headquarters, where UN Secretary General António
Guterres was present.

The premier said, “While we are providing them with basic necessities, the
magnitude of the problem has posed serious challenges for us. We have
allocated over 6,000 acres of land for the Rohingya people,” she said.

Sheikh Hasina, however, said that diversion of human and other resources
for Rohingyas has taken toll on the society, environment and economy and the
international partners, especially the UN agenciess, have been helping the
Rohingyas.

“Regrettably the current UN joint response plan of 2018 which requires USD
950 million has remained severely underfunded with only 33 percent funding
secured. Humanitarian and development support of the international community
for the Rohingyas and other affected communities must be predictable and in
the spirit of international responsibility sharing,” she said.

The prime minister reiterated that the Rohingya crisis has originated in
Myanmar and the country has to solve the problem.

“As a responsible government, we have opened our border and provided shelter to
the forcibly displaced Rohingyas. By doing so, we have not only saved lives, we have
stabilized the entire region by containing the crisis within our border,” she
said.

“Pending their return, we are trying to address their basic needs. Given
scarcity of land and other sociocultural and environmental impacts, we are
going to relocate them to a newly developed island called Bhashan Char where
they will have better living conditions and livelihood opportunities,” the
premier added.

In the absence of any policy of local integration in Bangladesh, she said,
the Rohingyas need to secure their future in their own country Myanmar.

Urging the international community to help Bangladesh in achieving that,
Sheikh Hasina said that the ‘Compact on Refugees’ has been adopted at a time
when the world is faced with swelling refugee crisis.

“Innocent people from various conflict-torn countries are leaving their
homes for safety and security while many countries like Bangladesh are giving
them shelter, protection and hope,” she said.

Sheikh Hasina mentioned that most of these refugee hosting countries are
developing countries with their own set of challenges and yet they respond to
the call of humanity.

“The world must recognize their contribution and help those countries
shoulder the burden … the world leaders must come forward with political
will and commitment, she said.

The prime minister said that the world must not forget that every refugee
desires a safe return to his/her homeland. “The displaced people from Myanmar
have to return to their homes with safety, security and dignity,” she added.

Sheikh Hasina said safe and sustainable return to the country of origin is
particularly important to resolve protracted refugee crisis. “Greater
attention needs to be paid to remove the root causes that drive people
refugee, and those root causes lie in the countries of origin,” she said.

The premier also said that the realization of the Compact should exhibit
stronger commitment to addressing those root causes; rather than focusing on
response to an emerging situation only.

BSS/SH/ARS/2059 hrs