Rohingya
Dhaka seeks global support in pilot Rohingya repatriation project
Bangladesh has urged the United Nations, ASEAN and regional countries to support the pilot repatriation project and help Rohingya returnees reintegrate in Myanmar.
Permanent Representative of Bangladesh to the United Nations in New York, Ambassador Muhammad Abdul Muhith, made the call while speaking at the Security Council‘s Arria-formula meeting on Myanmar.
The meeting convened by the United Kingdom was held at the United Nations Headquarters on Friday (May 19, 2023).
Referring to the recent dialogue between Bangladesh and Myanmar, Ambassador Muhith informed the Security Council that the two sides have decided to undertake a pilot repatriation project under which a group of verified Myanmar nationals will return to their country of origin in the first batch.
Read more: China "unswervingly mediating" between Bangladesh, Myanmar to promote Rohingya repatriation: Ambassador Yao
The repatriation will continue and additional Rohingyas will be repatriated in successive batches.
He further informed that a group of 20 Rohingya visited Rakhine State on May 5, 2023 to see arrangements made in Myanmar for their return.
Citing the pilot project as an important step in the right direction, the Permanent Representative said that Bangladesh is taking all measures to ensure the voluntary return of the Rohingyas in family units. Ambassador Muhith called upon the international community to remain vigilant so that the returnees under pilot project are not exposed to further persecution.
“The presence of humanitarian and development actors in the Rakhine will act as an important confidence building measure. We also urge the regional countries to support the returnees and help them reintegrate in Myanmar society,” he added.
Read more: Rohingyas not bothered about facilities, their demand centres citizenship
The meeting held in the in-person format was attended by all Security Council members and a large number of member states from the ASEAN.
The Security Council members discussed the current humanitarian challenges in Myanmar including in the aftermath of Cyclone Mocha.
They also expressed support for the efforts of ASEAN in addressing the multifaceted challenges of Myanmar.
On the Rohingya issue, the majority of the members expressed support for the safe, voluntary, sustainable and dignified return of the Rohingyas to their homeland in Myanmar, while calling upon Myanmar to improve the condition in Rakhine.
Read more: UNHCR ‘not involved’ in discussions on Bangladesh-Myanmar pilot project on Rohingya repatriation
Countries investing heavily in Myanmar should come forward to solve Rohingya crisis: Momen
Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen today (May 20, 2023) urged countries, who are heavily investing in Myanmar, to come forward for a sustainable solution to the Rohingya crisis for their own interests and to protect their investment.
"If this problem is not resolved, you have seen many countries in the Asia Pacific and the Bay of Bengal -- their attractions have increased and made investments, enhancing trade. This investment will be hurt if there are terrorist activities," Momen told reporters after a seminar.
Diplomats World, a publication that deals with cultural, legal, regional, global security, politics, and various other issues, hosted the seminar titled "Rohingya Repatriation: A Pathway to Peace, Stability and Harmony in the Bay of Bengal Region" at a Dhaka hotel.
Momen said if the Rohingyas who are frustrated succumb to terrorism, major investments by some countries in the whole region would be at risk.
Read more: Dhaka seeks global support in pilot Rohingya repatriation project
He said peace is required in the region so that investment can sustain.
"If there is a commitment, if there is a will, they can do it. It is the commitment that is lacking on the part of our global leadership. There is lip service, unfortunately," said the Foreign Minister.
He, however, said he always remains hopeful and mentioned that both the US and China have engaged in senior-level focal point for resolving the Rohingya issue.
China "unswervingly mediating" between Bangladesh, Myanmar to promote Rohingya repatriation: Ambassador Yao
Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh Yao Wen on Saturday (May 06, 2023) said China, as a responsible major country, has been "unswervingly mediating" between Bangladesh and Myanmar to promote the repatriation of the Rohingyas to their homeland.
"A local friend once told me sincerely that many people provide lip-services, but only China is actually doing practical things to proceed with the repatriation," he said.
The ambassador was delivering keynote speech at a symposium as part of the Cosmos Dialogue Ambassadors’ Lecture Series entitled "Bangladesh-China Relations: Prognosis for the Future" at hotel in Dhaka.
The discussion was chaired and conducted by President, Cosmos Foundation and former foreign affairs advisor Dr Iftekhar Ahmed Chowdhury.
Chairman of Cosmos Foundation Enayetullah Khan delivered the welcome remarks.
Bangladesh is hosting over 1.1 million Rohingyas in Cox's Bazar and Bhasan Char.
A 27-member delegation including 20 Rohingyas visited Myanmar’s Rakhine on Friday to see the preparation to resettle the possible returnees. They visited 15 villages and other infrastructure built for the Rohingyas.
Refugee Relief and Repatriation Commissioner (RRRC) Mohammed Mizanur Rahman, also the leader of the delegation said, “We returned with 20 Rohingyas after visiting the arrangements made for them around Maungdaw town. I have seen the goodwill of the Myanmar government regarding repatriation. We want to start repatriation.”
Also Read: Momen sees hope for Rohingyas' repatriation in latest Chinese initiative
Responding to a question, Ambassador Yao said the Rohingya issue is a humanitarian tragedy and it should never happen again.
Rohingyas not bothered about facilities, their demand centres citizenship
A 27-member delegation including 20 Rohingyas that left for Myanmar’s Rakhine on Friday morning returned to Bangladesh on Friday (May 05, 2023) around 5.50 pm after visiting 15 villages and other infrastructure built for the Rohingyas.
“We have visited the places in our village, but I still don't see any opportunity to go there before fulfilling demands. We want to see the fulfillment of our demand from here (Bangladesh) and then we will return to Myanmar,” said Sufian, a member of the delegation and a resident of Rohingya camp number 26 while speaking at a briefing after returning at Teknaf-Myanmar Transit Ghat in Cox's Bazar.
"We went there and made our demands. We have demanded citizenship, we have demanded our land," Sufian added.
However, Refugee Relief and Repatriation Commissioner (RRRC) Mohammed Mizanur Rahman, also the leader of the 27-member delegation team that went to Rakhine State, said, “We returned today with 20 Rohingyas after visiting the arrangements made for them around Maungdaw town. I have seen the goodwill of the Myanmar government regarding repatriation. We want to start repatriation.”
Read More: China "unswervingly mediating" between Bangladesh, Myanmar to promote Rohingya repatriation: Ambassador Yao
"We also had Rohingya representatives with us. Basically this event is for them. They will be deported, so they have been shown it in person. Myanmar authorities have briefed, visited various places," he added.
At that time, Mizanur Rahman also assured that there are a lot of Rohingya in Maungdaw city.
“As far as I can tell, about 80% of the Rohingya are doing business. I have spoken to them and told them that they are not facing any problem,” he said.
Mohammad Selim, a Rohingya member of the delegation and a resident of Rohingya camp number 26, said that after many years, we have had the opportunity to see our country Myanmar.
Read More: Rohingyas not bothered about facilities, their demand centres citizenship
“Our last word is that if we are not given security, citizenship and land, we will not go back to Myanmar,” Selim said.
Additional Refugee Relief and Repatriation Commissioner (Additional Secretary) Mohammad Khalid Hossain, Assistant Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Biswajit Debnath and senior officials of various government agencies were present in the delegation.
Earlier, a list of more than 800,000 Rohingyas was sent to Myanmar from the Bangladesh government. The country had identified about 1,140 people in the first phase as a pilot project to repatriate from the list.
Later, Myanmar voiced objections regarding 429 individuals on the list.
Read More: Rohingya delegation leaves for Rakhine to monitor repatriation arrangements
On March 15, a 19-member technical team came to Cox’s Bazar’s Teknaf, and met 480 members of 177 Rohingya families and returned to Myanmar.
‘You set an example of empathy, generosity for the world’: Biden writes to PM Hasina
US President Joe Biden has said his country made a commitment to finding long-term solutions to the Rohingya refugee crisis and holding perpetrators of the atrocities accountable.
“You set an example for the world of empathy and generosity in practice,” the US President wrote in a letter to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
The US Embassy in Dhaka shared the letter on Sunday (March 26, 2023) which was originally sent on March 21.
The US president said Bangladesh has opened its arms and welcomed nearly one million Rohingya refugees.
Read More: UK King Charles eyes continuing strong, close partnership with Bangladesh
In a message to PM Hasina, Biden on behalf of the United States, wished her and the people of Bangladesh a happy Independence Day.
Bangladeshis understand deeply the value of freedom and independence, as they fought courageously in 1971 to choose their own fate and to speak their own language, Biden wrote in the letter that he concluded with "Joy Bangla."
As Bangladesh approaches its next election, the US president said, he is reminded of the “deep value” both the nations place on “democracy, equality, respect for human rights, and free and fair elections.”
Read More: British parliament urged to recognise Bangladesh Genocide
He applauded Bangladesh’s demonstrated commitment to protecting the most vulnerable as the largest contributor to peacekeeping operations.
“We thank Bangladesh for cohosting the Global Action Plan ministerial that significantly elevated the political commitment to end the global pandemic,” Biden said.
In over 50 years of diplomatic relations, the United States and Bangladesh have achieved a lot together – advancing economic development, strengthening people-to-people ties, addressing global health and climate issues, partnering on the humanitarian response to Rohingya refugees, and committing to a prosperous, secure, democratic, and independent Bangladesh, said the US president.
Read More: Bangladesh’s tremendous achievements widely commended by int’l community: Xi Jinping
UNHCR ‘not involved’ in discussions on Bangladesh-Myanmar pilot project on Rohingya repatriation
UNHCR, the UN refugee agency, has said conditions in Myanmar’s Rakhine State are currently “not conducive” to the sustainable return of Rohingya refugees.
“UNHCR’s position on returns of Rohingya refugees to Myanmar remains unchanged,” said the UN agency sharing its assessment.
The UN agency said it is aware of the visit of a Myanmar delegation to Bangladesh to meet with a group of Rohingya refugees — on a bilateral pilot project between the two countries on possible repatriation.
“UNHCR is not involved in these discussions,” it said in a statement on Bangladesh, Myanmar pilot project on Rohingya returns. The statement was shared by the UNHCR Regional Bureau for Asia and the Pacific on Sunday (March 19, 2023) night.
Read More: OIC members must share responsibility for sustainable solution to Rohingya crisis: Momen
At the same time, the UNHCR reiterated that every refugee has a right to return to their home country based on an informed choice, but that no refugee should be forced to do so.
Bangladesh has consistently reaffirmed its commitment to voluntary and sustainable repatriation since the onset of the crisis, it said.
In support of efforts to preserve the right to return, UNHCR considers consultation of and dialogue with Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh by all parties in relation to the conditions in Myanmar’s Rakhine State as important to enable refugees to make an informed choice about return and build confidence amongst the community.
“This is particularly important as many refugees have reiterated that they do hope to go home to Myanmar as soon as conditions allow,” UNHCR said.
Read More: FM calls on global community to raise their voices to ensure safe return of Rohingyas
Following the events of August 2017, UNHCR has also consistently encouraged Myanmar to expeditiously verify the previous residence in Myanmar of refugees in Bangladesh, as part of efforts to lift any administrative obstacles to return when the refugees decide to do so.
“UNHCR therefore supports efforts that could lead to the verification of all refugees and pave the way for eventual return. This most recently included providing logistical support to members of the Myanmar delegation to cross into Bangladesh for the technical verification process,” said the UN agency.
UNHCR said it will continue to work with Bangladesh and Myanmar to ensure that Rohingya refugees maintain the right to return when they choose to do so, based on a fully informed and voluntary decision.
UNHCR will also support efforts to create conditions that would be conducive to the sustainable return of Rohingya refugees in Myanmar’s Rakhine State.
Read More: US announces $26m more in assistance for Rohingyas, host communities
In Bangladesh, UNHCR will continue to support building the skills and capacities of the refugees to facilitate their eventual return and sustainable reintegration in Myanmar.
The 2023 Joint Response Plan for the Rohingya Humanitarian Crisis in Bangladesh was recently launched and UNHCR calls upon the international community’s continued robust support for this appeal which is currently 10 percent funded.
OIC members must share responsibility for sustainable solution to Rohingya crisis: Momen
Bangladesh has said the OIC member states must share collective responsibility to ensure safe and dignified return of the most persecuted community– the Rohingyas to their homeland, Myanmar.
Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen made the call during the open-ended meeting of the OIC Ad Hoc Ministerial Committee on Accountability for Human Rights Violations against the Rohingyas, held on March 17 in Mauritanian capital Nouakchott on the margin of the 49th OIC Council of Foreign Ministers.
During the meeting, the Gambian Foreign Minister updated the status of the case filed by the Gambia against Myanmar at the International Court of Justice to hold Myanmar accountable for the Human Rights Violation against the Rohingyas.
The status on the voluntary contribution by the member states and the summary of the fund requirements to continue the case were presented, said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Saturday.
Momen reiterated the importance of repatriation of the Rohingyas to avoid transnational socio-economic catastrophe, especially derailment of thousands of juveniles and youths with uncertain future.
While thanking the Gambia and the OIC and for the kind support for the legal action, he shaded light on the importance of ensuring the momentum of the case to provide justice to Rohingyas.
He also called for burden sharing from the member states by contributing voluntarily to the legal expenses of the case.
The meeting was attended among others by Saudi Arabia, Turkiye, Nigeria, Indonesia, Malaysia, Iran, Egypt, Pakistan, Gambia.
Read more: Bangladesh seeks OIC’s help to continue Rohingya genocide case
The Foreign Minister also had bilateral meetings with his counterpart of Cameroon and Mauritania.
Both countries expressed their appreciation on the rapid and consistent economic progress of Bangladesh and hoped that scopes of bilateral cooperation in agriculture, fisheries, trade, education and collaboration in various sectors would take place.
He also had courtesy meeting with the United Nations Assistant Secretary General for Middle East, Asia and Pacific.
Momen led the Bangladesh delegation to the 49th OIC Council of Foreign Ministers (CFM) held in Nouakchott, Mauritania from 16-17 March 2023.
Rohingya man shot dead in Cox’s Bazar Balukhali camp
A Rohingya man was shot dead by some unidentified miscreants at Balukhali Rohingya camp in Ukhiya upazila early Wednesday.
The deceased, Mohammad Rashid, 35, was a resident of Balukhali Rohingya camp.
Sheikh Md. Ali, Officer-in-Charge of Ukhiya Police Station, said the miscreants picked up Md. Rashid he was returning home from night duty in an NGO office and shot to death.
Police recovered the body and sent it to morgue for autopsy, he added.
FM calls on global community to raise their voices to ensure safe return of Rohingyas
Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen has urged the international community, including the British-Bangladeshi Diaspora to raise their voices in ensuring the voluntary, safe and sustainable repatriation of the forcibly displaced Rohingyas, temporarily sheltered in Bangladesh, to their homeland in Myanmar at an early date.
He made the call when Nasim Ali OBE, Mayor of Camden of the UK , met the Foreign Minister on Tuesday afternoon at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The Foreign Minister briefed the Mayor on the remarkable socio-economic progress of Bangladesh under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
Also Read: Momen to attend OIC CFM in Mauritania, UN Water Conference in US
Lauding the British-Bangladeshi Diaspora in the UK, both recalled their contributions into British society and economy and for being a vibrant and enterprising living bridge between our two countries over the past five decades.
The Camden’s Mayor suggested for an appropriate event to recognize the high achievers of the British-Bangladesh Diaspora, particularly the elected representatives.
They also discussed Bangladesh-UK cooperation on climate change.
Rohingya leader shot dead in Cox’s Bazar
A Rohingya leader, locally known as ‘head majhi’, was shot dead by unidentified miscreants at Ukhiya Rohingya camp here on Wednesday morning.
The deceased was identified as Syed Hossain, aka Kala Bodda, a resident and head majhi of Ukhiya’s Kutupalong 2- east camp.
Syed Harunur Rashid, Armed Police Battalion's (APBn) Deputy Inspector General said, Syed Hossain was shot dead when he came out of his house in the morning.
Read more: Rohingya leader shot, stabbed to death in Cox’s Bazar
Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army (Arsa) members might have shot him, he said.
The body was sent to the district sadar hospital after recovery, said the DIG.
"Efforts are on to arrest those involved in the murder," he added.