Rohingyas
Rohingyas a huge burden for Bangladesh: PM
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Sunday said Rohingyas have become a huge burden for Bangladesh as there has been no progress yet over their repatriation although three years have elapsed since their massive influx into Bangladesh.
“They’ve become a huge burden for Bangladesh. The environment and forest resources in Cox’s Bazar are getting destroyed,” she said.
The Prime Minister said this when newly-appointed Ambassador of The Netherlands Anne Gerard Van Leeuwen met her at her official residence Ganobhaban.
Read:President urges world leaders to take effective steps to solve Rohingya problem
PM’s press secretary Ihsanul Karim briefed reporters after the meeting.
About the stranded Pakistanis in Bangladesh, the Prime Minister said, “They’re creating economic pressure on us.”
The Ambassador said he has talked to various people, including refugees and NGO activists, and all of them think that the solution to the Rohingya crisis lies there in Myanmar.
Hasina appreciated the contributions of The Netherlands for the development of the country.
She mentioned Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman’s stance to develop Bangladesh through land reclamation like the Netherlands.
Rohingyas overjoyed at UN arrival in Bhasan Char
The Rohingyas in Bhasan Char have welcomed the decision of the United Nations (UN) to engage there in providing humanitarian support.
On Sunday, they brought out a procession expressing their joy over the signing of the memorandum of understanding (MoU) between the Bangladesh government and the UNHCR, the UN refugee agency.
They were seen joining the joyous procession peacefully holding placards that read "Welcome UN", "Welcome UNHCR", "Thank You UN," "We Are Happy at Bhasan Char 2021."
Head Rohingya leaders led the procession from 2:30pm to 3pm joined by over a thousand Rohingyas, said a source at Bhasan Char.
The procession that began from Shelter 9 ended at Rohingya Bazar, going through Hospital Road.
Bangladesh and the UN signed the formal document Saturday, ending a long wait for a much-sought UN engagement at Bhasan Char on the humanitarian front to support the Rohingyas there.
Secretary of the Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief Md Mohsin and Bangladesh Representative of UNHCR, the UN refugee agency, Johannes van der Klaauw, signed the memorandum of understanding (MoU) at the Secretariat.
Read: Crucial MoU on UN's operational engagement in Bhasan Char signed
5 Rohingyas held with arms and drugs in Ukhia
Five Rohingyas were arrested Sunday with arms and drugs during a joint operation by the Armed Police Battalion (APBN) and Ukhia Police in Cox's Bazar’s Ukhia Rohingya camp.
The arrestees were listed criminal Nur Kalam, under-warranted accused Fayez and Md Abul Kalam; Osman and Akter Hossain.
Read: 6 Rohingyas held from refugee camps
Md Naimul Haque, 14-APBN captain said APBN and Ukhia police conducted a joint operation around 3:30 pm on Sunday. During the operation, five Rohingyas were arrested and a locally made shooter-gun, one round of ammunition and 122 pieces of yaba were seized from them.
Read: 11 Rohingyas held in Panchagarh
According to APBn sources, the arrestees were involved in various crimes including intimidation, extortion and kidnapping of ordinary Rohingyas in the camp area.
MoU on UN's operational engagement in Bhasan Char Saturday
Bangladesh and the United Nations (UN) will sign a formal document Saturday, ending a long wait for a much-sought UN engagement at Bhasan Char on the humanitarian front to support the Rohingyas there.
Secretary of the Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief Md Mohsin and UNHCR, the UN refugee agency, will sign the memorandum of understanding (MoU).
The signing ceremony will be held at the secretariat at 12pm.
State Minister for Disaster Management and Relief Dr M Enamur Rahman will witness the signing ceremony.
The signing of the MoU demonstrates the UN's support to the government's massive investment there to ensure better living for the Rohingyas, officials said.
The numerous challenges associated with the temporary hosting of persecuted Rohingyas from Myanmar have compelled the Bangladesh government to plan the relocation of 1 lakh Rohingyas to Bhashan Char, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA).
Also read: Relocation of Rohingyas to Bhashan Char not forceful: Dhaka
Nearly 20,000 Rohingyas moved to Bhasan Char since December last year in several groups.
Around 1,642 Rohingyas were relocated to Bhashan Char on December 4 last year while the second batch, comprising 1,804 Rohingyas, had been transferred from Cox's Bazar to the island on December 29 last year.
Recognising Bangladesh's massive investment in Bhasan Char, UN Resident Coordinator in Bangladesh Mia Seppo said there has been, rather, a lot of negative coverage about the island and it is important that they have somehow managed to move away from that.
She said they want to be partners in trying to create something so that everybody can live and the conversation that they are having now is important.
Regarding the proposed MoU to engage in Bhasan Char, Mia said there are protections and humanitarian imperatives and they are looking to support the massive efforts of the government in Bhasan Char.
Bhasan Char, a temporary shelter for Rohingyas until repatriation, remained unhurt with no casualty to personnel and livestock during recent cyclones, officials said.
During his recent visit, former United Nations General Assembly President Volkan Bozkir highly appreciated Bangladesh's efforts for Rohingyas in Bhashan Char, saying it will be another example to the world on how to deal with the refugee issues. "I applaud the work done there – the quality of buildings and all the precautions."
Also read: UN for Rohingyas' free, informed decision on Bhashan Char relocation
Bozkir hoped that this would work well for the Rohingya people, giving them a better condition in Bhashan Char.
The government re-emphasised that Bhashan Char is completely safe and suitable for human habitation.
The 30-year-old island has all the amenities, including healthcare, drinking water, options for economic activities, and cyclone shelters, it said.
The island offers enough space for the free movement of the Rohingyas.
Officials at the MoFA said it should be remembered that Rohingyas are Myanmar nationals and Bhasan Char and Cox's Bazar camps are temporary arrangements. "Bangladesh has been hosting them temporarily purely out of humanitarian gesture."
"Rohingyas want to return to their homeland, Myanmar, and all need to work constructively to that end," a MoFA official said.
6 Rohingyas held from refugee camps
Armed Police Battalion (APBN) on Friday held six Rohingyas accused in different cases from the refugee camps in Ukhia and Teknaf.
The arrestees were Abdul Mannan and Enayetullah from Madhuchhara camp; Taher from Irani hill; Nazim Uddin and Nur Bashar from Lambasia camp; Usman from Kutupalongwas.
Read: 11 Rohingyas held in Panchagarh
Captain of the 14th Armed Police Battalion and in-charge of the Ukhia Rohingya camp, superintendent of police Naimul Haque, said the detainees were involved in various crimes including extortion, kidnapping, robbery, murder cases in the Rohingya camp area.
Read: 74 Rohingyas held in Chattogram
He said that the arrestees were handed over to Ukhia police station to take necessary legal action.
Deal over UN's operational engagement in Bhasan Char likely on Saturday
Bangladesh and the United Nations are likely to sign a formal document on Saturday to find ways for UN engagement in Bhasan Char demonstrating support to the government’s massive investment there to ensure better living for Rohingyas, officials said.
“We’re expecting that the MoU will be signed on Saturday morning if there’s no last-minute change,” a senior official told UNB, mentioning that things are finalised.
However, he did not elaborate further what will be the nature of UN engagement in Bhasan Char and the specific areas of cooperation.
The numerous challenges associated with the temporary hosting of persecuted Rohingyas from Myanmar have compelled the government of Bangladesh to plan the relocation of 100,000 Rohingyas to Bhashan Char, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
So far, nearly 20,000 Rohingyas have moved to Bhasan Char since December last year in a number of groups.
Some 1642 Rohingyas were relocated to Bhashan Char on December 4, 2020, while the second batch, comprising 1,804 Rohingyas, had been transferred from Cox’s Bazar to Bhashan Char on December 29 last year.
On Wednesday, Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen said the operational engagement of the UNHCR, the UN refugee agency, in Bhasan Char will begin soon. “Everything is final. It has been done as agreed.”
Read: Bhasan Char: an excellent example for a safe, sustainable, and resilient place for Rohingya relocation
Recognizing Bangladesh’s massive investment in Bhasan Char, UN Resident Coordinator in Bangladesh Mia Seppo said there has been, rather, a lot of negative coverage about Bhasan Char and it is important that they have somehow managed to move away from that.
She said they want to be partners in trying to create something so that everybody can live and the conversation that they are having now is important.
Regarding the proposed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to engage in Bhasan Char, Mia said there are protections and humanitarian imperatives and they are obviously looking to support the massive efforts of the government in Bhasan Char.
BRAC to hold advocacy on protection of Rohingyas, host community
Development organization BRAC has taken up a plan by giving maximum priority to the protection issue of Rohingyas as well as the host community (local community).
Speakers disclosed this at a camp-based Shurokkha Bondhus’ orientation on Safeguarding and Protection from Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (PSEA).
Safeguarding Unit under Humanitarian Crisis Management Programme (HCMP) of BRAC arranged the two-day event which concluded at a hotel in Cox’s Bazar district town on Tuesday.
Advocacy activities on the matter aimed at creating awareness among BRAC employees will be strengthened further in the days to come.
Read: Brac for increasing partner NGOs' capacity to better serve people
A total of 45 officials from senior management of BRAC attended the event on the concluding day.
A total of 34 employees from 34 Rohingya camps of HCMP of BRAC attended the first day programme.
SK Jenefa K Jabbar, Director of Human Rights and Legal Aid Services, Social Compliance and Safeguarding unit of BRAC, attended as a facilitator from an online platform on the last day.
Farjana Siddiqua, Manager of Training and Safeguarding Unit under Human Resources Division of HCMP, moderated the first day’s event.
Tahmina Yesmin, Team Lead of Safeguarding Unit of HR Division of BRAC Head Office, acted as the facilitator, while Tilon Andrews, Manager of Safeguarding Unit of BRAC Head Office, attended as trainer on the first day.
Read: Rana Plaza victims get support from Brac amid Covid-19
The training was organized for ensuring safe work atmosphere for Rohingyas and the host community, and raising awareness among all the employees of BRAC on protection from exploitation and discrimination.
Hasina Akhter Huq, Area Director of HCMP of BRAC, hoped that ‘Shurokkha Bondhus’, who took training from field level, will strengthen advocacy activities to raise awareness about the matter at Rohingya as well as the host communities.
Dhaka seeks EU's effective support for repatriation of Rohingyas
Bangladesh has sought effective measures by the European Union for creating a conducive environment in Myanmar for sustainable repatriation of the Rohingyas sheltered in Bangladesh.
Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen raised the issue and explained that Bangladesh is facing enormous social, economic and environmental cost by sheltering over 1.1 million Rohingyas.
Dr Momen held a bilateral meeting with Josep Borrell, High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, and Vice-President of the European Commission (HRVP) on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York recently.
HRVP Borell thanked Bangladesh for the humanitarian gesture to the Rohingyas, and assured that EU would work with Bangladesh and the international community to ensure sustainable repatriation of the Rohingyas.
The issue of climate change was discussed in the bilateral meeting.
Foreign Minister Momen briefed the HRVP about the role of Bangladesh as the President of the Climate Vulnerable Forum (CVF), said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Saturday.
He raised the issue of the 100 billion dollars annual climate fund pledged by the developed countries, and requested EU to fulfill the commitment.
Dr Momen stressed on the importance of allocation of 50 per cent of the climate financing for adaptation measures.
He explained the importance of loss and damage incurred because of river erosion, intrusion of salinity, sea level rise, floods and draughts.
The Foreign Minister emphasised sharing of responsibility for the climate migrants – the people uprooted from their homes and traditional jobs because of impacts of climate change.
Dr Momen also explained the need of creating high and wide embankments in the coastal belt, and in the areas prone to river erosion. He invited public funding and private sector investment from EU in developing the embankments, with roads, solar panels and windmills on those.
Josep Borell remarked that significant efforts would be needed to contain the temperature rise to the maximum limit of 1.5 degree Celsius.
He was of the view that there would be social and economic shocks in the effort of addressing the challenges of climate change.
The Foreign Minister agreed with the HRVP, and sought technology transfer for coping with the mitigation targets.
Dr Momen raised the issue of trade with the EU and thanked the HRVP for providing duty-free market access to Bangladeshi products under the EBA scheme of EU.
He also thanked Borell for continued market access to Bangladesh till 2029, and requested for providing GSP+ facilities once the EBA facilities to Bangladesh will be over in 2029.
HRVP assured the Foreign Minister that he would convey the request with positive recommendation to the concerned authorities of EU.
FM seeks Commonwealth solidarity for Rohingya repatriation
Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen has sought Commonwealth solidarity for smooth repatriation of the Rohingyas to their place of origin in Rakhine State.
Leading the Bangladesh delegation in the 21st Commonwealth Foreign Affairs Ministers’ meeting (CFAMM) virtually, he urged Commonwealth to assist in persuading the government of Myanmar to follow their commitments.
Foreign Minister Dr Momen highlighted the current impasse over the FDMNs voluntary repatriation to Myanmar and their partial relocation to Bhashan Char.
He also sought efforts to boost-up intra-Commonwealth trade, ensure vaccine equity and result-oriented climate action.
Commonwealth leaders have commended Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s humanitarian role in taking bold decision to give shelter to a huge number of Forcibly displaced Myanmar nationals (FDMN) and thus saving thousands of innocent lives.
READ: FM gifts masks to journalists at media briefing
They also appreciated her leadership of the Climate Vulnerable Forum (CVF).
They made these comments during the 21st Commonwealth Foreign Affairs Ministers’ meeting (CFAMM) held virtually in London on Thursday.
The Foreign Minister informed the Commonwealth leaders of the initiatives undertaken as the Chair of the Climate Vulnerable Forum (CVF) .
19 Rohingyas fleeing from Bhasanchar arrested in Sitakunda
Police have arrested 19 Rohingyas at coast of Fauzdarhat in Sitakunda upazila after they fled from Noakhali’s Bhasanchar refugee camp.
At around 11 am on Wednesday the locals detained 21 Rohingyas after they arrived at the Fauzdarhat coast of Ward No. 1 of Salimpur Union in a boat.
Later, they handed over 19 of them to the police as two youths managed to escape.
Among the arrestees were eight children, four women and seven men.
Mostakim Arju, a local UP member, said, "When I heard that 21 children, women and men had come to the shores of Faujdarhat, I rushed to the spot, held them and informed the chairman."
Although there were 21 people in the boat, two youths escaped, he said.
One of the arrestees, Abdul Habib, said that the group of 21 people on Sunday started from Bhasanchar on a rented boat for Tk 13,000 per person. They arrived ashore in Fauzdarhat after a four-day long journey in the sea
The boatman quickly left with the boat as soon as the passengers got off, he added.
Habib further said, “We are having a hard time in Bhasanchar so we wanted to go to our previous place in Cox’s Bazar.”
ASI Zahirul Islam of Fauzdarhat police outpost said that on receiving information from local UP chairman Salauddin Aziz, we arrested 19 Rohingyas from the coast of Fauzdarhat and brought them to the outpost.
They would soon be handed over to the local police station, he said.