Members of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) yesterday strongly condemned the violence against Rohingyas, killing of innocent people and the ruthless operation of the Myanmar army. The CPA also demanded immediate return of these people to their homeland.

The world leaders proposed the adoption of a resolution at the CPC to intensify the pressure on the Myanmar government for the ‘genocide’ and to bring about an immediate solution to the crisis to ease the burden on Bangladesh.

The representatives said the Myanmar army’s persecution and inhuman operation against the Rohingyas has to be immediately stopped. Myanmar must take back the Rohingya refugees, among whom women and children are the worst sufferers.

The delegates also raised their voices to implement the recommendations of the Kofi Anan Commission to end the Rohingya crisis as soon as possible.

Bangladesh foreign minister Abul Hasan Mahmud Ali sought strong support from the member countries of the CPA to address the huge burden on Bangladesh.

He said that Rohingyas historically belong to Myanmar.

The proposals came at a briefing on the Rohingya issues at the Bangabandhu International Conference Centre (BICC) in the capital, where Abul Hasan Mahmud Ali informed the CPA delegates about the origin of the Rohingya people and how the Myanmar government unleashed ruthless persecution against them to force them to flee to Bangladesh.

Abdulla Maseeh Mohamed, the speaker of the Maldives parliament, said: “Such persecution is one of the gravest human rights violation of international law. It is genocide. We are in solidarity with the Bangladesh government and stand by the Rohingya people.”

“We could bring a resolution on the issue and continue to put pressure on Myanmar,” he added.

Mohammad Asghar,  a member of the National Assembly for South Wales East, said: “I am aware of the unspeakable sufferings of the Rohingyas and the burden on the Bangladesh government. Let’s arrive at a general consensus to condemn the Myanmar government. Commonwealth is a leading platform, and we’ll ask the Myanmar government to immediately take back their people.”

Expressing concern, Nafisa Shah, a member of the National Assembly of Pakistan, said: “The Pakistan parliament is worried about the human rights violation on the Rohingyas. We reiterate our support to Bangladesh. We empathise with Bangladesh in this trying time. The Myanmar government must take back the Rohingyas and give them citizenship. It place them with equal status with other citizens.”

Canadian senator Salma Ataullahjan said: “What is happening in Myanmar is genocide. We’re looking into the resettlement of the refugees. We appreciate the efforts of the Bangladesh government, even though it has its own problems like floods.”

Lord Foulkes, a member of the House of Lords, UK, said: “We appreciate Bangladesh for its support. It’s clearly genocide. There’s no doubt about it.”

“It would be unfair if we can’t arrive at a resolution on the Rohingya crisis on Tuesday. I will raise the matter in the House of Lords on November 23,” he added.

He proposed the delegatws to visit the Rohingya camps in Cox’s Bazar after the conference is over.

Lechesa Tsenoli, the deputy speaker of South Africa, said: “We express our solidarity with Bangladesh. We must keep putting pressure on the Myanmar government on the issue. I strongly condemn the persecution against the Rohingyas.”

Malaysian National Integrity Party leader Dr Mohammad Hatta Md Ramli said: “We express our solidarity with the Rohingya people. We must adopt a resolution on the issue. We can send a delegation to Myanmar to convey our message.”

Naum Teboh John, an MP from Cameroon, said: “I express my solidarity with Bangladesh for providing assistance to the Rohingyas."

Margaret Quirk, an MP of Australia’s Labour Party, asked whether Bangladesh has received any support from India and China.

Abul Hasan Mahmud Ali said: “India has expressed solidarity with us and said it will provide all help. China has also provided assistance.”

Before the question hour session, the foreign minister in a keynote speech explained the genesis of the Rohingya community and the recent crisis.