AL frustrated over UNSC meet on Rohingya issue
“Diplomatic efforts based on Hasinas 5 proposals to continue”
Abu Jakir
The ruling Awami League (AL) and the Sheikh Hasina government feel frustrated over the Rohingya crisis after the conclusion of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) meeting, at which China and Russia backed Myanmar.
The party leaders, however, reiterated that their government will continue its diplomatic efforts, based on Prime Minister Sheikh Hasinas five-point proposals in this respect, in an effort to permanently resolve the Rohingya crisis.
Meanwhile, on Thursday, the UN Security Council discussed the Rohingya issue without reaching any decision. There was no move to issue a statement by the UNSC or for consideration of a resolution for Myanmar to take some binding steps to stop violence in Rakhine State, as a result of behind-the-scenes pressure by China and Russia.
Talking to this correspondent, AL insiders said the party top brass felt frustrated following China and Russias stance favouring Myanmar.
On Friday, AL general secretary and road transport and bridges minister Obaidul Quader lambasted China and Russia for backing Myanmar. He alleged that China and Russia were maintaining double standards over the Rohingya issue: on the one hand, the two countries were sending relief materials for the Rohingyas, but at the same time were supporting Myanmar. This was acceptable, said Quader.
Expressing his disappointment over the stand, Quader expressed the hope that China and Russia would change their position and stand beside Bangladesh, and help put an end to the Rohingya crisis.
Lt. Col. (retd) Muhammad Faruk Khan yesterday said the AL-led government will persist with discussions and diplomatic efforts for a sustainable repatriation of Myanmar citizens who fled violence in Rakhine State and entered Bangladesh.
Now we will take up a three-pronged programme of action: ensuring security to the Rohingya people, carrying out diplomatic efforts, and discussing with the Myanmar government the repatriation of the Rohingya people as soon as possible, he said.
Replying to a question over the stance adopted by China and Russia, Khan, a former commerce minister, said, I believe both countries would change their positions on humanitarian and logical grounds.
We are facing a big problem now. We want to resolve the Rohingya crisis diplomatically and I hope the Sheikh Hasina government will be able to permanently resolve the crisis, said AL joint general secretary Mahbubul Alam Hanif yesterday over phone. We will continue our diplomatic efforts based on our leaders vision.
Another AL joint general secretary, Abdur Rahman, said: China and Russia backed Myanmar because of their geopolitical interest. They are independent countries, so they can support any country on any issue, but I think the two countries should stand beside Bangladesh, changing their current positions on humanitarian and logical grounds.
A consensus has already been built up in the world community against Myanmars junta government for committing crimes against humanity in the Rakhine State. I hope China and Russia will also stand against Myanmar on the issue, he added.
At the UN Assembly, PM Sheikh Hasina had pitched a five-point set of proposals for a permanent solution to the ongoing Rohingya crisis. These are: 1. Myanmar must unconditionally stop the violence and ethnic cleansing in Rakhine State immediately and permanently.
2. An investigative team of the United Nations secretary-general must be immediately sent to Myanmar. 3. The safety of all the citizens, irrespective of race and religion, must be ensured, and a security zone built in Myanmar under UN supervision.
4. The safe return and rehabilitation of all Rohingyas, who were forced out from Rakhine State, must be ensured with safety, security and dignity. 5. The Kofi Annan Commissions recommendations must be implemented unconditionally.
At least five lakh Rohingyas have entered Bangladesh after the latest round of Myanmarese army offensives since August 25 this year.
