Bangladesh has reiterated that it cannot bear the immense socio-economic and environmental costs by hosting over a million of Rohingyas for an indefinite period.

“Therefore, these people must be repatriated to their origin in Rakhine State,” said Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen, adding that sustainable solution to the Rohingya crisis lies in repatriation.

He made the call at the open-ended meeting of the OIC ad hoc ministerial committee on accountability for human rights violations against the Rohingyas, held in Islamabad, Pakistan on the sidelines of the 48th OIC Council of Foreign Ministers on March 22-23.

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While thanking The Gambia and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) for supporting legal action, he called for keeping the momentum going to provide justice to Rohingyas, according to a message received here from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The foreign secretary also called for strong solidarity from the member states by contributing voluntarily to meet the legal expenses of the case.

Turkey committed US $ 2,00,000 to the fund. The members of the ad- hoc committee praised Bangladesh for hosting this large number of refugees over the years and even proving them Covid vaccine.

The ten-member ad hoc committee was formed in line with the decision of 45th CFM held in Dhaka in 2018 to ensure justice to the mostly persecuted Muslim minorities in the world.

The meeting discussed the updated status especially of the recent hearing in February 2022, on the case filed by The Gambia, as the chair of the ad hoc committee, at the International Court of Justice to hold Myanmar accountable for the Human Rights Violation against the Rohingyas.

The present status on the voluntary contribution by the member states and the summary of the fund requirements to maneuver the case were presented by The Gambia. 

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Masud reiterated the importance of repatriation of the Rohingyas to avoid transnational socio-economic catastrophe due to over a million of Rohingyas, especially thousands of juveniles and youths apprehensive of no hope for their future.

The FS led a five-member delegation to the 48th Council of Foreign Minister comprising Bangladesh’s Envoys to Saudi Arabia and Pakistan and the senior MOFA officials.