The World Bank's proposal to integrate the Rohingya population into Bangladesh is disconcerting, to say the lest. Reportedly, the World Bank in its proposal said that the Rohingyas should be offered with all rights and privileges as Bangladeshi nationals.
We think the World Bank’s such proposal is completely absurd since Bangladesh does not recognise Rohingyas as refugees. Bangladesh did not sign the refugee convention and the Rohingyas are displaced people temporarily sheltered in Bangladesh.
As reported by this daily on Monday, Bangladesh has rejected outright the World Bank’s proposal to integrate the Rohingya population into the country. We think the foreign minister gave a befitting reply to the Washington-based lender’s proposal saying it to take them (Rohingya) to another country and spend its money there. And if needed, Bangladesh will also give some funds in that.
International community and other
stakeholders should play their due
role to ensure early Rohingya repatriation
The World Bank in its proposal which was sent to the Economic Relations Division suggested steps so that they can be integrated into Bangladesh. Those steps include issuing birth certificate, teaching them local language and providing jobs without any discrimination.
Bangladesh is hosting over 1.2 million forcefully displaced Rohingyas and most of them arrived since August 25, 2017 after a military crackdown which has been termed a ‘text book example of ethnic cleansing’ and ‘humanitarian catastrophe of unmanageable magnitude’.
In last four years, not a single Rohingya went back home although Myanmar agreed to take them back. Bangladesh continued to urge the UN Security Council to fulfill its Charter obligations and take measures to resolve crisis in Myanmar so the Rohingyas can return to their homes with safety, security and dignity.
Besides, the country has always called for international community’s active role in resolving the Rohingya crisis. Therefore, the international community and other stakeholders should play their due role to ensure early repatriation of Rohingyas from Bangladesh to their homeland.