KIF A Rahman|Arakan Watch
May 9, 2017
The Prime Minister (PM) of Bangladesh, Sheikh Hasina on Tuesday has called on Burma to find out a sustainable solution to the long-standing Rohingya problem through bilateral dialogue as a close neighbour.
Sheikh Hasina raised the issue when outgoing Ambassador of Burma in Dhaka Mr. Myo Myint Than met her at her office on Tuesday Morning. Expressing her concern over inhumane condition of Rohingya refugees, the PM requested him to convey her message to the government of Burma.
After the meeting, PM’s Press Secretary Ihsanul Karim briefing to the reporters said , ” Sheikh Hasina told the Burmese envoy that Bangladesh wants to resolve the Rohingya crisis through bilateral dialogue between two neighbouring countries.
“Bangladesh has to face various sorts of problems,” he said quoting the prime minister. Referring to the social and environmental impact of refugees, the Prime Minister mentioned about unregistered Rohingya refugees , living in Bangladesh have been creating socio-economic developmental impasses in the region.
Reiterating her government’s zero tolerance policy against terrorism, PM said Bangladesh has been firm in disallowing its territory to be used by armed groups or insurgents of Burma.
In response to the PM, Burmese envoy said his government is serious to resolve the Rohingya issue to its end. He said that Burma is on the way to implement recommendations of the Kofi Annan Commission as much as possible on their part.
Bangladesh has so far given shelter on humanitarian ground to more than 500,000 Rohingya refugees who fled their homes and hearths and took refuge at different times over the past few decades. Inspite of repeated request, Burmese government has always been reluctant to take back Rohingya Muslims as their citizens.
Earlier, Chinese especial envoy to Asia Mr. San Gouxiang has expressed his positive participation during his recent visit to Dhaka to mediate between Bangladesh and Burma over the long-lasting Rohingya crisis. Though Bangladesh has welcomed the approch, Burma has directly rejected the intervention of China in the matter.
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