Canada’s special envoy to Myanmar Bob Rae yesterday said his government was committed to work on the repatriation of Rohingyas. Rae said everybody wanted the repatriation of Rohingyas with security and human rights and this needed a lot of effort. The Canadian envoy told this to reporters after a meeting with foreign minister AK Abdul Momen at the latter’s office in the capital. “The repatriation process needs to happen and we need to work hard. Canada is committed to support all the possibilities for the repatriation of the Rohingya people,” he said.

On his part, Momen said, “Canada is a good friend of Bangladesh and very supportive. We have told them one thing that Rohingyas should be repatriated with safety and security. We would do whatever is necessary in this regard.” Asked how Canada will cooperate in addressing the Rohingya crisis, the minister said, “They have volunteered to support and help us”.

He said, “The Rakhine province is still not safe. Many Rohingyas are still fleeing to escape death. But I am always optimistic that one day they will be repatriated. But I don’t know when. We have made a lot of progress in this regard.”

Asked whether Bangladesh was feeling some kind of pressure due to the Rohingya crisis, Momen said, “Of course, there is a pressure. If they linger for a longer time, it may create uncertainty and instability in the region.”

He added: “And uncertainty is never welcome by any region or country. It will affect both Myanmar and Bangladesh. It may affect other neighbouring countries and in the long run, it will be a global problem. So we want a solution to the crisis as fast as possible.”