Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen expressed his hope that the government will be able to send back the Rohingya refugees as a process involving multiple stakeholders is on.
“Three years on. But we are hopeful the crisis will be resolved but it will take time and the process is on,” Momen told Bangladesh Post in a phone interview marking the third year of Rohiynga crisis.
More than 730,000 Rohingya fled Myanmar’s Rakhine State following sweeping military offensive in retaliation to attacks by Rohingya insurgents on police posts and an army base on Aug. 25, 2017.
UN investigators later concluded that the Myanmar military campaign was executed with “genocidal intent,” a claim Myanmar denies.
Momen said, “We are trying for a triparty agreement that involves China but talks are now on hold due to the global coronavirus pandemic.”
Some 30,000 refugees have been enlisted for repartition but the Coivd-19 pandemic has put bilateral meeting with Myanmar on hold.
The neighbouring country also failed to create a conducive environment. “Killing still on in the Rakhine. They gave us assurance but failed to keep it,” he added.
The minister said Myanmar also shows an excuse saying they have a general election ahead which is why they are working slowly.
According to Momen, many friendly states of Myanmar also speak for repatriation with India standing for Bangladesh.
The Japanese Prime Minister phoned PM Sheikh Hasina days ago and assured her that his country would try the best to find a solution to the crisis, he added.
Bangladesh also engaged many countries including Germany and other European nations which trade with Myanmar in Rohingya repatriation effort, he informed.
According to Momen, there are some developments that made Bangladesh more hopeful.
The US and the UK imposed travel ban on a number of top Myanmar’s military officials putting a pressure on the country, he said.
One of Bangladesh’s friendly states, The Gambia, took legal process and brought an interim ruling on Rohingya crisis after filing a lawsuit in the International Court of Justice, he added.
Bangladesh, however, welcomes any other country which are willing to host the Rohingya refugees.
