PRESS XPRESS
June 29, 2022
Talking about India’s important role in the
Rohingya repatriation effort, the Bangladeshi foreign secretary said,
“We are talking to the Myanmar authorities, but I think if other
countries talk with Myanmar, it can help in the repatriation process.”
He also said, “India is the common neighbour of both Myanmar and
Bangladesh. Therefore, we have requested India in the past to return the
Rohingyas to Rakhine State in Myanmar and we will continue to request
the country to play a more active role in this regard in the future as
well.”
The foreign secretary said, ‘If the Rohingyas find the
right suitable environment through improved healthcare and sustainable
livelihoods as well as facilities like housing, they can go back. In
this case, some help may be needed initially and if Myanmar agrees,
India can help and that will be a game-changer for Bangladesh.
The
Bangladeshi diplomat added that he had raised the issue of Rohingya
repatriation with former Indian foreign secretary
HarshvardhanShringlalast year. He mentioned that the matter was also
discussed with Indian Foreign Minister SJaishankar recently. He believes
the premier will raise the issue this time. “I am sure that when Prime
Minister Sheikh Hasina meets Prime Minister Narendra Modi, she will
highlight how India can help us in this repatriation of Rohingyas,” he
said.
Since August 25, 2016, more than one million Rohingya
refugees have fled Myanmar to Bangladesh. The Rohingya refugee crisis is
one of the largest, fastest growing crises in recent history. It is
estimated that more than one million stateless Rohingya refugees
currently live in the world’s largest and most densely populated refugee
camp in Kutupalong, Bangladesh. About half of the large number of
Rohingya refugees are women and children. “This is a very densely
populated area in Cox’s Bazar. We are trying to make it less-populated
by relocating a section of the Rohingya population to Bhasan char
Island, but this is also a temporary solution,” Momen said.
Meanwhile,
Bangladesh is concerned about the Rohingyas as well as their illegal
activities in the country. Several Rohingya have been charged with drug
trafficking and child trafficking, and there is a risk of radicalisation
among the Rohingya through third parties in the region.
Masood
Bin Momen said, “more than 80 percent of the Rohingya refugees are very
young. So, there is a risk of radicalism spreading. And, obviously it
could be a headache.” He further said, “This is not only a headache for
Bangladesh, but also for the region.”
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