Photo: TDM
Despite the disquieting delay in the repatriation process of Rohingyas for years, Dhaka hopes against the hope of sending them back to Myanmar riding on the visits of Chinese and OIC high-ups.
In August this year, Bangladesh is going to mark the fifth year of the second phase of the Rohingya influx. At that time, the government tried to send them back to their homeland but couldn’t succeed.
Diplomatic sources said, despite mounting pressure on Myanmar over killing time from many regional and international parties in the name of repatriation.
The sources of the East Asia desk of the foreign ministry ensured The Daily Messenger that high-level representatives from Myanmar postponed their visit to Dhaka over Rohingya issue recently. They didn’t even respond to Dhaka’s recall.
But the government is relishing a new chance to restart the stalled repatriation process with the help of China. Sun Weidong, vice minister of foreign affairs of China reiterated their support for Bangladesh on Rohingya issues.
In a Dhaka-Beijing high-level meeting on Saturday, China said it was necessary to begin the repatriation process as soon as possible. China suggested that Bangladesh to start the repatriation process albeit on a limited scale, citing that it would assist Bangladesh and Myanmar in this regard.
On 25, 2017, about 740,000 Rohingyas arrived in Bangladesh. Despite limited resources, Bangladesh has given shelter and security to a whopping number of refugees. The arrivals after August 25, 2017, are in addition to the 80,000 Rohingyas who took shelter in 2016, and nearly 300,000 who have been living in Bangladesh for decades.
Now, the country continues to bear the burden of over one million Rohingyas who were forced to leave Rakhine state of Myanmar, seeking refuge in Bangladesh.
The Foreign Minister Dr. AK Abdul Momen said on Sunday that, Bangladesh is continuously trying to hold talks on the Rohingya issue with Myanmar but they didn’t show the same interest.
In a meeting with the Secretary General of Organisation of Islamic Conference Hissein Brahim Taha Foreign Minister Abdul Momen urged to mobilise unequivocal support for the Islamic countries for Rohingya repatriation.
After the meeting, Momen told the journalist that, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and the OIC secretary general has already issued a letter to all member countries of OIC to create a fund to resolve the Rohingya crisis.
While the OIC secretary general has urged the member states to do more and help The Gambia with funds to manage the cost of running the case in the International Court of Justice on Rohingya genocide.
He said, "We call upon all OIC member states to join them in this case and give support to this fund created by the OIC. This case is a top priority for us and the Gambia is not a big or rich country, but there are lots of efforts from them."
Ministry of Foreign Affairs said, a Myanmar delegation has visited Cox's Bazar Rohingya camp for further discussion.
Refugee relief and repatriation commissioner in Cox's Bazar Mohammed Mizanur Rahman said, "Myanmar delegation verified the list of Rohingya sent by Bangladesh to Myanmar for repatriation."
"The delegation meets the Refugee Relief and Repatriation Commissioner (RRRC). "In addition, they talked to the hopeful Rohingyas who are on the list," he added.
TDM/SD
