Safe return of Rohingyas to homeland is only solution: PM

Calling upon the international community in resolving the Rohingya crisis as it not only destabilizes Bangladesh but also beyond the country, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Friday  said that the voluntary return of the Myanmar nationals to their homeland in safe, security and dignity was the only solution to the problem.

“Voluntary return of the Rohingyas to their homes in the Rakhine state in safety, security and dignity is the only solution to the crisis,” she said while addressing a general discussion on “Upholding “The Badung Principles” to ensure concerted and adequate response to the challenges of contemporary world” at the plenary session of the 18th Summit of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) in Baku, the capital city of Azerbaijan at Baku Congress Centre on Friday afternoon.

Noting that despite the socio-economic successes, Bangladesh is currently dealing with two challenges—impact of climate change and the Rohingya crisis— the premier added: “The Rohingya crisis is a political one deeply rooted in Myanmar. Thus, its solution has to be found inside Myanmar.”

The premier reminded the international community that the Rohingya crisis could destabilize Bangladesh and beyond it and said, “We are currently hosting over 1.1 million Rohingyas. It has the potential to destabilizing our country and beyond. We are constrained to seek support of the international community in resolving the crisis.”

In this context, the prime minister recalled that India gave shelter to over 10 million Bangladeshi nationals during the Liberation War in 1971.

She also said that she herself and her younger sister Sheikh Rehana had to spend six years in exile as they were not allowed to enter Bangladesh after the assassination of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman along with most of his family members on August 15 in 1975.

On adverse impact of climate change, the prime minister said, “Although Bangladesh has little responsibility for global warming, it is suffering heavily from its devastating impacts.”

She went on saying, “The international response to climate change, particularly that of developed countries, must therefore, fully respect the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change.”

Sheikh Hasina, who in now on a four-day official visit to Baku in Azerbaijan to attend the 18th Summit of the Non-Aligned Movemeent (NAM), stressed the need for its effective role in maintaining the peace.

Source: BSS

Dhaka/Mukul