Dhaka seeks Commonwealth’s help to repatriate Rohingyas

Foreign Minister Dr AK Abul Momen has called upon the Commonwealth members including its chair-in-office, the UK, to engage with Myanmar for its compliance with “provisional measures” by the ICJ and expedite the return of the Rohingyas to their ancestral homes in Myanmar.

"Bangladesh would like to categorically reiterate that the earliest repatriation of all forcibly displaced Rohingyas back to their ancestral homeland in Rakhine in safety and dignity remains our compelling priority," he said.

The foreign minister was addressing the 21st Commonwealth Foreign Affairs Ministers’ Meeting held virtually in London on Thursday, chaired by the UK's newly appointed Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office Elizabeth Truss, a press release issued by The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said on Friday (September 17).

Dr Momen also called upon Myanmar to comply with the International Court of Justice’s (ICJ) provisional measures and ensure sustainable return of the Rohingyas.

British Foreign Secretary Elizabeth Truss highlighted the Commonwealth's agenda on Rohingyas under country situation Bangladesh, while the UK’s Commonwealth Minister Lord Ahmad praised Bangladesh's humanitarian leadership in sheltering the Rohingyas and reaffirmed the UK's continued diplomatic efforts for safe and sustainable return of the Rohingyas to Myanmar.

The foreign minister thanked the Commonwealth for recognizing the 48-member Climate Vulnerable Forum (CVF) for the first time and proposed shared climate prosperity projects between the CVF and the Commonwealth under the Climate Finance Action Hub.