Bangladesh will take part in the upcoming meeting of the United Nations security council (UNSC) on the Rohingya crisis scheduled to be held today, where the country will seek steps for the rapid repatriation of the forcibly-displaced Myanmar nationals.

So far, according to the UN, 4.8 lakh Rohingyas have crossed into Bangladesh since August 25 to escape the atrocities orchestrated by the Myanmar security forces in Rakhine state bordering Bangladesh.

“My understanding is that there may be a briefing in closed consultations today (Wednesday),” Stéphane Dujarric, spokesman for the UN secretary‑general told a daily briefing at the headquarters of the global body on Tuesday.

He reiterated the secretary-general’s position on the crisis, saying, “His message has been the same and is very simple, is a halt to the military and security operations in Rakhine State, humanitarian access for all humanitarian workers, and decisions to be made on the status of the Rohingyas, those who have no papers in Rakhine State.”

Meanwhile, a top Bangladeshi diplomat told The Independent that at the request of seven UNSC members -- Sweden, the US, Britain, France, Egypt, Senegal and Kazakhstan – the UNSC will hold a meeting today (Thursday-New York time) where UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres will brief the members on the ongoing Rohingya tragedy.

Ahead of this meeting, Foreign Minister Abul Hassan Mahmood Ali along with State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shahriar Alam and Foreign Secretary Shahidul Haque briefed the heads of the missions of those countries that are currently members of the UNSC, at a state guest house yesterday. The countries are United States, Russia, China, the United Kingdom and France, which are permanent members with veto powers, and Japan, Italy, Sweden and Egypt that are non-permanent members.

Speaking to journalists after the meeting, Foreign Minister Ali talked of Bangladesh’s expectation of such steps that will ensure the return of Rohingyas to their homeland without any fear.

States that are not members of UNSC can also take part in the discussions and Bangladesh will place its position at the UNSC through its envoy to the UN, he said.

The foreign minister also said that all the countries have a sympathetic view toward Bangladesh with regard to the crisis.

“Bangladesh wants a peaceful solution. We don’t want to get involved in any conflict,” he said.

Minister Ali said that at the UNSC meeting, Bangladesh will further elaborate the five proposals put forward by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina during her speech at the UN general assembly.

On the interest of Myanmar about a visit by a Myanmar minister attached with the office state counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi, he said that the minister intends to meet the prime minister, and as Sheikh Hasina is now in the US, Dhaka wants to wait till her return.

“You know the prime minister is now in the USA,” he said indicating that Bangladesh wants to wait until the PM’s return.

Meanwhile, Japan, the third largest economy of the world, has lent its ‘full support’ to Bangladesh in resolving the ‘difficult crisis’.  

Following a meeting with State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shahriar Alam yesterday, visiting Japanese Vice-Minister for foreign affairs Iwao Horii spoke of Tokyo’s support for Dhaka.

The Japanese junior minister told reporters that the Rohingya issue is a ‘great concern’ for his country and offered assistance for the Rohingyas.

Shahriar Alam said Japan has been with Bangladesh since the beginning of the crisis and that Japan also wants full implementation of the recommendations made by Annan Commission.

On September 22 and 23, Horii visited Sittwe in Rakhine state and exchanged views with the officials of Rakhine state government, international organisations and UN. He also visited IDP (internally-displaced person) camps there.

MK