Dhaka pained over Rohingya refugees
Staff Reporter
The government was concerned and aggrieved over Rohingya refugees seeking shelter in the border areas of Bangladesh due to alleged repression by law enforcement agencies in Myanmars Rakhaine state, a senior minister said yesterday. We are trying to build up public opinion around the world regarding the Rohingya issue, finance minister AMA Muhith told reporters at the Secretariat.
We will seek international cooperation and try to communicate with the Myanmarese government regarding our concern, he added.
Muhith emphasised the role of diplomacy to resolve the contentious issue. We are trying to maintain good relations with Myanmar and continue to do so. But its a matter of regret that there prevails a repressive attitude for a long time, he said.
The minister accused Myanmarese Nobel laureate Aung San Suu Kyi of supporting the repression of Rohingyas. How can these repressive incidents occur in her country? I cant understand how she accepts the torture of the minority Rohingyas in Myanmar, he said.
In a related development, the United Nations yesterday reported that around 90,000 Rohingyas have sought refuge in Bangladesh following fresh violence that erupted on August 25 in the neighbouring country.
Around 20,000 more gathered near the border between Bangladesh and Myanmars western state of Rakhine and waiting to enter, the report said.
Dhaka has stepped up border controls after the latest round of violence began 10 days ago. However, recent arrivals have reported that there were no attempts to stop them from crossing over to Bangladesh, according to the UN.
Muhith also said that the next parliamentary election is likely to be held in December next year. The Election Commission will start preparations accordingly from August 2018, he added.
Muhith hoped that that the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) will participate in the next parliamentary election.
