Foreign Minister Dr Hasan Mahmud on Saturday said Bangladesh’s security forces along the Myanmar border remain alert amid growing tensions in the neighbouring country.
He said tensions prevailed in Myanmar with brief pauses and Bangladesh forces have remained alert from much earlier.
Talking to reporters at the state guesthouse Padma, the foreign minister said such a tense situation will certainly have a negative impact on the efforts to repatriate Rohingyas to their place of origin in Myanmar.
But, he added, the Myanmar government will feel compelled to take back their nationals if the international community puts pressure on them. “We always seek the international community’s cooperation,” he said.
During his meeting with the visiting British cross-party parliamentary delegation, the foreign minister discussed the Rohingya repatriation issue.
“Repatriation of the Rohingyas is the only solution. That is the durable and permanent solution. That is what I told them and they agreed with me,” Hasan said.
The foreign minister mentioned that there are multiple issues concerning security and environment, and the Rohingya camps might become a breeding ground for militancy. “We are overburdened. We provided them shelter on humanitarian grounds.”
On the International Court of Justice (ICJ) ordering Israel to take steps to prevent acts of genocide in Gaza, he said, “We welcome it. We believe this verdict will help stop genocide and crimes against humanity. Bangladesh stands ready to support South Africa