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POST TIME: 12 September, 2017 00:00 00 AM
Dhaka to raise Rohingya issue in UNGA session
Shelter on humanitarian ground, not forever, says PM
BSS

Dhaka to raise Rohingya issue in UNGA session

Expressing her government resolve to raise the Rohingya issue in the upcoming session of the UN General Assembly, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina yesterday said, as the creator Myanmar should resolve the crisis, reports BSS. "If required Bangladesh would provide all support to Myanmar to overcome the crisis and rehabilitate the displaced people in their homeland," she said adding Myanmar must clearly acknowledge that Rohingyas are their citizens and they must take back their nationals.

The Prime Minister said while taking part in the discussion in the parliament on a motion moved by lawmaker from Chandpur-3 constituency Dr Dipu Moni on Rohingya issue under section 147 of the Rules of Procedure. The prime minister urged everybody not to do politics and exploit the sufferings of the distressed Rohinya people.

Dr Dipu Moni called for adopting the resolution in the parliament calling upon the UN and international organizations to put pressure on Myanmar government to stop persecution on Rohingyas, take them back to their homeland and allow them to live in peace with all civil rights.

Extending her support to the motion the prime minister said her government repeatedly tried to resolve the Rohingya issue with Myanmar. But the Myanmar authority instead of coming to a solution, aggravated the crisis through their constant persecution on the innocent people.

Pointing out the persecution on Muslim community across the globe the prime minister urged the leaders of the Islamic countries and organizations to understand the problem and forge unity to protect the Muslims.

Lambasting the terror attack on Myanmar border police and military the prime minister said her government would never allow any insurgent to use its land against the neighbours. But, we can not accept intimidation of women and children in the name of clamp down on the terrorists, she said.

Sheikh Hasina urged for creating a 'safe zone' if necessary inside Myanmar under the supervision of the UN to protect the innocent people. Full implementation of the recommendation of Kafi Annan may help in this regard, she said. Expressing her profound grief at the sufferings of the Rohingya people the prime minister said the reason for which they were compelled to take refuge to Bangladesh is very unfortunate. It's completely out of imagination to understand the real cause of rough behavior with the innocent people of a particular ethnicity by the Myanmar government, she said.

Sheikh Hasina said her government has given shelter to the Rohingyas in Bangladesh only on humane consideration. But, the country cannot afford to give them shelter for long time. As a good neighbour Myanmar should realize this.

"We want the Myanmar nationals go back their home", Sheikh Hasina said adding Bangladesh don't want any enmity with any of its neighbour. It doesn't dignify the position of a country if its citizens take refuge in another country, she said.

Pointing out the solution of Chittagong Hill Tracts problem in Bangladesh the Prime Minister said her government has resolved the problem through discussion, brought back the rebels and rehabilitated them in the country. Myanmar can follow the example of Bangladesh, she said.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina yesterday said Bangladesh is giving shelter to Myanmar refugees on humanitarian ground, but not forever, reports UNB.

“We’ve given shelter to them (Myanmar refugees) on humanitarian ground, but we cannot keep them forever,” she said when French Ambassador to Bangladesh Sophie Aubert met her at her Parliament office.

Sheikh Hasina urged the international community to mount pressure on Myanmar to take its nationals back.

PM’s press secretary Ihsanul Karim briefed reporters after the meeting.

He said the Prime Minister said the ongoing problem in Rakhine, Myanmar cannot be solved through military actions. “This can be solved through a political process,” she said.

In Bangladesh, Hasina said, there was problem in the Chittagong Hill Tracts and Bangladesh solved it through talks. “We’ve negotiated with them, settled the matter internally and then took back our nationals,” she said. The Prime Minister said she is looking forward to visiting France at the end of the next month when she will hold a meeting with the French President.

Sophie Aubert said her country is ready to help Bangladesh in this refugee issue. She said the overall security situation in Bangladesh has improved a lot and appreciated the Prime Minister for her pragmatic leadership.

The Ambassador hoped that the next general election in Bangladesh will be peaceful.

Aubert said the cooperation between Bangladesh and France in energy and water sectors has increased a lot. “We’re also working together on climate change issue.” She reassured the Prime Minister that the Bangabandhu Satellite, scheduled to be launched on December 16 next, will be launched in time. PM’s Adviser Dr Gowher Rizvi was present.