Rohingya
BGB, Coast Guard asked to remain alert with “reinforcement”, if needed
Acting foreign secretary Rear Admiral (Retd) Md Khurshed Alam said they had a high-level meeting today (September 18, 2022) with all concerned and urged Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) and Bangladesh Coast Guard to remain on high alert with “reinforcement”, if required.
Khurshed Alam, also secretary at Maritime Affairs Unit (MAU) at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said Bangladesh is a “responsible and peace-loving” country and they are “observing and tolerating” the situation along the Bangladesh-Myanmar border with much patience.
Talking to reporters at the ministry, he said they are in touch with all relevant agencies and the government remains alert so that no Myanmar national can enter Bangladesh.
Also read: Myanmar ambassador summoned for the 4th time
Earlier in the morning, the Ministry of Foreign Affais summoned the Myanmar Ambassador to Bangladesh Aung Kyaw Moe for the fourth time and lodged a strong protest over the recent incidents along the Bangladesh-Myanmar border.
The ambassador was summoned at the office of Md. Najmul Huda, Director General (South East Asia wing) of Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Khurshed Alam said Bangladesh conveyed to the ambassador that what’s happening in Myanmar is their internal issue and they need to think how they will solve it.
Read BNP urges global community to act against Myanmar's insolent activities
He said Bangladesh has told the ambassador to take steps to prevent repetition of such incidents – death and injuries – inside Bangladesh.
The acting foreign secretary said the Myanmar envoy listened to the Bangladesh side and assured that he would report to the headquarters.
The acting foreign secretary hoped that there will be a solution if Bangladesh remains strong. Bangladesh is not demonstrating any weakness, rather it is conveying its message to Myanmar from a very strong position, he added.
Read Do more to cut Myanmar military's revenue, arms supply: UN to countries
Asked who will take responsibility of the recent death, the acting foreign secretary said they cannot say exactly who had fired the bullet, though the bullet has “Myanmar army” written on it.
He said the Myanmar side was saying these bullets had been stolen by the Arakan Army and they are using these bullets to create "distance" between Bangladesh and Myanmar. “In such a situation, it is difficult to determine who will take the responsibility.”
Khurshed Alam said Bangladesh has asked Myanmar to take steps for stopping the spill-over of Myanmar’s internal conflict into Bangladesh.
Read UN experts seek more help for human rights defenders in push for accountability in Myanmar
Earlier, Dhaka reiterated its “deep concern” over the recent incidents of Myanmar’s mortar shelling, indiscriminate aerial firing in the bordering areas, and air space violations.
On Saturday, Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan said the government is trying to resolve the issues with Myanmar peacefully and diplomatically but a complaint will be lodged to the United Nations regarding mortar shelling at the border if necessary.
He said the Bangladesh Foreign Ministry has warned them (Myanmar) several times but they didn’t keep their promise. “We have lodged a strong protest over casualties from Friday’s mortar shelling by Myanmar at Tombru border,” he added.
Read Bangladesh wants discussion to avert border tension with Myanmar: Foreign Secretary
On Friday night, a 17-year-old-Rohingya boy named Mohammad Iqbal was killed and five others were injured as a mortar shell fired by the Myanmar army exploded at the Zero Point Rohingya Camp close to the international border in Tombru, Bandarban.
The deceased and injured were all residents of the Zero Point Rohingya Camp, known as the camp that is closest to the Bangladesh-Myanmar border, in No Man's Land.
Four mortar shells landed in succession at the Rohingya camp around 8 pm.
Also read: Home Minister: Will complain to UN over Myanmar’s mortar shelling if needed
Earlier, an indigenous youth, named Anganthowai Tanchangya, was grievously injured in a landmine explosion along the Bangladesh-Myanmar border in Naikhongchhari Upazila of Bandarban on Friday noon. Locals said it is the Myanmar army that has mined the area. Twelve mortar shells have been fired by the Myanmar army on Bangladesh territory so far.
Armed Rohingya men hack APBn man at Balukhali camp
An Armed Police Battalion (APBn) member was seriously injured after some armed Rohingya men attacked him at Balukhali Rohingya camp in Cox's Bazar Saturday during a drive.
The injured, Abu Sayed, 22, has been stationed in Armed Police Battalion 14 (APBn 14), a specialised unit of police at the Rohingya camp.
The incident took place at block D-5 of Balukhali Camp-7, said Additional Deputy Inspector General Syed Harunur Rashid, commanding officer of APBn 14.
Acting on a tip-off, a team of police went to arrest someone called Zubair from the Rohingya camp.
At this time, four to five armed Rohingya men, including Zubair's brother Sanaullah, attacked them with machetes, leaving Sayed critically injured, Harunur Rashid said.
Read: 4 held over Tongi businessman murder
Later, the APBn man was rushed to Kutupalong Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) hospital. As his condition worsened, he was shifted to Cox's Bazar Sadar Hospital for better treatment.
Law enforcers arrested a suspect involved in the attack and efforts are underway to arrest others, Harunur Rashid said.
Army chiefs of 24 countries visit Rohingya camp in Cox’s Bazar
Army chiefs of 24 countries visited a Rohingya camp in Ukhiya upazila of Cox’s Bazar district on Tuesday.
They exchanged views with the displaced Rohingyas, who put their problems and recommendations to them, during the visit.
Osman Goni, a Rohingya leader of camp no 11, said they don’t want to go to any third country; rather they want to go back to their own country.
“We informed the army chiefs to create an environment for safe repatriation through intervention of the international community,” he said.
Read: No lasting solution to Rohingya issue without repatriation
Besides, representatives of different organizations of the United Nations also briefed the army chiefs regarding the Rohingyas.
Earlier, the army chiefs took part in the second session of an international seminar ‘Challenges and Possibilities of maintaining peace and security in the Indo-Pacific Ocean’ at a hotel in the upazila.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina inaugurated the three-day seminar virtually at Radisson Blue Water Garden in the capital on Monday.
Mentionable, Bangladesh has been hosting the international seminar of high-ranked army officials of the Indo-Pacific region as co-organizer for the third time after 1993 and 2014.
Japanese ambassador attends handover ceremony of ambulances in Cox's Bazar
Japanese Ambassador to Bangladesh Ito Naoki visited Cox's Bazar to attend the handover ceremony of ambulances provided to NGO Friendship by Japan through the Grant Assistance for Grass-roots Human Security Projects (GGHSP).
"The Project for Provision of Emergency Ambulance Services in Ukhiya, Cox's Bazar District" is expected to help improve the medical infrastructure and medical environment by installing three ambulances at the Rohingya camps in Ukhiya, Cox's Bazar.
Kazi Golam Rasul, senior director and head of health of Friendship, Md Mamunur Rashid, deputy commissioner of Cox's Bazar, and Md Shamsud Doza, additional refugee relief and repatriation commissioner, attended the ceremony.
"I hope these ambulances will save the lives and help improve the medical environment of the Rohingya camps," Ambassador Ito said.
The GGHSP began in 1989 and has been contributing to social development at the grassroots level. To date, $16.25 million has been extended to 208 projects in Bangladesh including three projects at the Rohingya camps by Japan.
Also read: Chuadanga: Ambulance received from India remains unused
29 indicted for killing Rohingya leader Mohib Ullah
A Cox’s Bazar court on Sunday started official trial of Rohingya leader Mohib Ullah murder case by framing charges against 29 accused.
District and Session Court Judge Mohammad Ismail framed the charges during a hearing on the charge sheet submitted by police in the case.
Fifteen of the 29 accused were present at the court during the hearing while others remained absconding till date, said Public Prosecutor Faridul Alam.
Also read: Police press charges against 29 Rohingyas in Mohib Ullah murder case
On June 13, police pressed charges against the 29 accused after an eight-month long investigation in this case.
On September 29 last year, Mohib Ullah, chairman of Arakan Rohingya Society for Peace and Human Rights (ARSPH), was killed by some gunmen at his office.
They fired four shots at Mohib Ullah and fled the scene using a lane behind Mohib Ullah’s house.
The next day, police filed a case following a complaint from his brother Habib Ullah.
Also read: Mohib Ullah murder: ARSA commander held
On August 25, 2019, Mohib Ullah came to the limelight as a leader after holding an assembly of around five lakh fellow refugees marking Rohingya Genocide Day.
No lasting solution to Rohingya issue without repatriation
Repatriation of the Rohingya refugees has become essential to finding a permanent resolution of the issue, speakers said at a webinar on Friday.
The virtual seminar, titled ‘Rohingya Problem: Possibility of Repatriation”, was organized by the permanent mission of Bangladesh in Geneva in association with Legal Action Worldwide (LAW), marking the fifth anniversary of the largest exodus of Rohingyas to Bangladesh in 2017.
In his introductory speech, Md Mustafizur Rahman, Permanent Representative and Ambassador of Bangladesh to Switzerland, said that a permanent resolution of the Rohingya problem will expedite regional stability and economic prosperity.
“The United Nations and other countries can engage in meaningful discussions with Myanmar over the Rohingya issue. Bangladesh is working tirelessly with Myanmar and the international community to find a solution in this regard,” the Ambassador said.
Read: Repatriation of Rohingyas to Myanmar ultimate solution: S Korea
Speakers at the seminar emphasized on the creation of a convenient condition by Myanmar for the repatriation of the Rohingyas through restoring their rights as citizens and abolishing all the discriminatory laws.
They also said that the quick settlement of all the cases that are currently running in the International Criminal Court (ICC) and International Court of Justice (ICJ) against Myanmar will help in the voluntary repatriation of the Rohingyas.
The virtual seminar was presided over by Antonia Malvei, Chief of LAW. Priya Pillai, Chief of Asia Justice Coalition Secretariat, Nicholas Koumjian, Head of the UN’s Independent Investigative Mechanism for Myanmar, Shahidul Haque, Delhi University’s ICCR Bangabandhu Chair and Yasmin Ullah, a Rohingya activist, among others, spoke at the event.
“We are Rohingya” photo exhibition begins in Cox’s Bazar
UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency in partnership with the Cox’s Bazar Art Club has launched a two-week photo exhibition called “Aara Rohingya’” or “We are Rohingya”, showcasing photos taken by ten Rohingya refugees and allowing for an intimate look into what life is like for people living in the largest refugee camp in the world.
The exhibition that began on Thursday, will run till September 14 at the Cox’s Bazar Cultural Center.
Based on the Rohingyatographer magazine, this exhibit allows visitors to learn more about the individuals who have found refuge in Bangladesh, after fleeing violence and persecution in Myanmar five years ago.
“Through photography, Rohingya youth are telling their stories and document their collective memory and cultural heritage. The exhibit also shows how the lived memories of millions of Bangladeshis who were uprooted during the Liberation War inspired their generosity to host the persecuted Rohingya from neighbouring Myanmar.” says Johannes van der Klaauw, UNHCR Representative in Bangladesh.
Read: Repatriation of Rohingyas to Myanmar ultimate solution: S Korea
“BGB vigilant, none can enter from Myanmar now”
State Minister for Foreign Affairs Md Shahriar Alam today (September 1, 2022) said Bangladesh is better prepared so that none can enter from Myanmar now due to the deteriorated situation in Rakhine state.
"Our agencies are better prepared. BGB has been instructed to remain vigilant," he told reporters at his office at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Shahriar, however, said they do not see any exodus like 2016 and 2017, though some people fear that the rest of Rohingyas will cross over into Bangladesh amid worsening situation in the Myanmar side.
He said what is happening in Myanmar is an internal issue of Myanmar.
Shahriar said they are giving utmost importance to keep the border secure.
Read: We unmasked some people through Bachelet’s visit: Shahriar
He said the Myanmar side was warned twice in August following mortar shells landing in Bangladesh territory from Myanmar and strong protest was lodged in this regard.
The State Minister said they did not want to prevent those (Rohingyas) in 2016-2017 on humanitarian grounds and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina had given those shelters.
“But now we have some information which was not available at that time,” he said.
Responding to a question, the State Minister said Bangladesh’s air space was not violated this time.
“We do not want to step into Myanmar's provocation or trap,” he said, adding that they (Myanmar side) might have a strategic benefit if they can move in such a unilateral direction.
Shahriar said the international community knows the true intention of Bangladesh and will keep the diplomatic community informed in advance so that they can understand the situation well if any untoward incident happens.
The State Minister said the Myanmar side shows true intention to take back their citizens only when they face pressure from the international community.
He said Bangladesh got engaged with Myanmar twice virtually recently to discuss the repatriation issue.
Shahriar said the Myanmar side agreed to sit again soon and this time the meeting is likely to be held in-person.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs last Monday summoned Myanmar Ambassador to Bangladesh Aung Kyaw Moe and lodged a strong protest against Myanmar’s mortar shells landing inside Bangladesh territory a day earlier.
Army to join drive against terrorism, drugs in Rohingya camps: Home Minister
Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan on Sunday said that the army will take part in the joint operations to be launched in the Rohingya camps to control terrorist activities and spread of drugs.
The minister said this emerging from the fifth meeting of the ‘National Committee on Forcibly Displaced Rohingya People’s Coordination, Management and Law and Order Situation’ at the Secretariat.
“We’re witnessing frequent terrorist activities inside the Rohingya camps. Bloodshed is going on in the camps without any reason. Sometimes even drugs from Myanmar are finding their ways to the camps. That’s why we’ve decided to conduct information-based joint operations to put an end to the menaces,” said Asaduzzaman.
“Currently, Police, Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB), Rab, Ansar and Armed Police Battalion (APBn) members are working in the camps. We’ve decided that from now on, the military will also join hands with these forces and carry out joint drives to make the Rohingya camps secure for its inhabitants,” he added.
He informed that the government sometimes fail to identify Rohingya criminals because they use Myanmar’s network systems.
“We’re trying our best so that Rohingyas use Bangladeshi network systems. This will make the identification of Rohingya criminals easier,” said the minister.
The home minister also said that the government is setting up a system which will ensure constant surveillance of the Rohingya people.
Read: Requested US, UK, Japan to take Rohingyas from Bangladesh: FM
“The construction of security walls around the camps is in its final stage. Building of patrol roads is going to be finished soon. We’ll also build watchtowers at various points inside the camps so that Rohingyas can’t escape our eyes,” Kamal said.
About the government’s initiative to control the birth in the camps, the minister said that the process to formulate a SOP is underway.
“The health ministry and the Islamic Foundation are jointly working on this issue. Volunteers, Imams of local mosques and NGO workers are also going door to door and making the Rohingyas aware of the benefits of birth control,” said Asaduzzaman.
On controlling the movement of drugs, the minister said that registration of fishing trawlers that ply on the Naf river is going on.
Replying to a question, he said that the government is discussing the Rohingya repatriation issue with Myanmar.
“We’re trying to repatriate the Rohingyas to Myanmar from day one. Both our foreign minister and I talked to Myanmar’s then leader Aung San Suu Kyi personally about the issue. Each time we go to the discussion table with a hope that the matter will be resolved soon. I hope that we’ll be able to find a solution to the problem within a very short time,” said the minister.
Replying to another question, he said that the government is yet to receive proposals from countries that are interested in relocating Rohingyas.
“We’re reviewing the countries that have showed interest in the relocation of the Rohingyas. The foreign ministry is working on it. We’ll request the interested countries to take as much Rohingyas as possible,” said the minister.
At present, Bangladesh is hosting over 1.1 million Rohingya people in camps located in Cox’s Bazar and Bhasan Char island.
Myanmar conditions do not allow for safe, voluntary return of Rohingya: US
The regional refugee coordinator of the US Embassy in Dhaka, Mackenzie Rowe, has said five years after nearly a million Rohingya were driven from their homes in Myanmar, things have gotten worse.
Conditions in Myanmar do not allow for a safe, voluntary, dignified, or sustainable return, Rowe added.
For the sake of Rohingya, who have borne the brunt of the persecution, she said they must maintain their pressure on the regime to bring such actions to an end. "Until that happens, the door remains shut for a voluntary return of Rohingya to their homeland."
However, the US would help the relevant parties in any way possible for safe and successful repatriation, Rowe said.
She was speaking at the seminar "Rohingya Crisis: The Pathways to Repatriation" organised by the Centre for Genocide Studies (CGS), University of Dhaka, Thursday at the Foreign Service Academy.
At the event, Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen emphasised creating a conducive environment for repatriation by taking tangible and sustainable measures with the help of the international communities.
Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen chaired the seminar.