Dhaka, Aug 2 (UNB) – Bangladesh has sought cooperation from Asean Regional Forum (ARF) partners to ensure repatriation of Rohingyas to their homeland in Myanmar’s Rakhine State in safety and security.
Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen conveyed the message at the 26th ARF in Bangkok on Friday, mentioning that if the Rohingya crisis remains unresolved for long, it may “seriously undermine” the security and stability of the entire region.
Bangladesh is now hosting over 1.1 million Rohingyas and most of them entered the country after August 25, 2017 after Myanmar launched a brutal offensive targeting the mainly-Muslim ethnic minority.
Though Bangladesh and Myanmar signed a repatriation deal on November 23, 2017, not a single person has so far been repatriated.
ARF is the first region-wide Asia-Pacific multilateral forum for official consultations on peace and security issues. The government of Thailand, as the Chair of Asean, is hosting this year’s ARF where foreign ministers from 26 countries and High Representative of European Union, USA, UK, Japan, China and India are participating.
Foreign Minister Momen sought comprehensive engagement of the international community, particularly Asean, in the creation of a congenial atmosphere in the Northern Rakhine State to facilitate the repatriation and reintegration process.
He said Bangladesh is not in a position to bear the brunt for an indefinite period and it should be a global responsibility to resolve the issue.
At the Forum, foreign ministers from Japan, USA, Canada, Australia, South Korea, New Zealand, and Malaysia urged Myanmar to create conducive environment for early repatriation of Rohingya in safety and dignity, according to Ministry of Foreign Affairs here.
They also sought Asean’s enhanced engagement in this process.
USA, Canada and Malaysia particularly emphasised ensuring justice and accountability in relation to atrocities committed against Rohingyas.
Dr Momen embarked on key regional issues including denuclearisation of Korean Peninsula, degradation of marine environment, human trafficking, illicit drugs trafficking, cybercrimes, among others.
He stressed the need for sustained peaceful atmosphere in the Korean Peninsula for the continued stability in the Asia-pacific region.
Bilateral Talks
Dr Momen also held bilateral meetings with the foreign ministers of Canada, India, Sri Lanka and Vietnam on the sidelines of the 26th ARF.
During the meeting with Canadian Foreign Minister Chrystia Freeland, Momen thanked the government of Canada for its vibrant role and support extended to resolve the Rohingya problem. He urged Canada to continue putting pressure on Myanmar to take back their nationals in safety and security.
Freeland highly appreciated the act of generosity shown by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and said Canada is working at the international level for ensuring the repatriation of Rohingyas.
She highlighted that getting out of this severe crisis is not only the sole responsibility of Bangladesh rather this is a global responsibility.
At the meeting with his Sri Lankan counterpart Tilak Marapana, Dr Momen highlighted the need to inculcate a mindset of tolerance and mutual respect among different communities regardless of their race, colour, religion and ethnicity to address violent extremism and terrorism.
The two ministers also explored areas of further cooperation in trade, investment and connectivity.
Delhi’s Support Sought
Dr Momen also met Indian Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar and discussed issues of mutual concern like trade, investment and connectivity.
He sought India’s support for the early repatriation of Rohingya. Jaishankar assured India’s support in this regard.
At the bilateral meeting with Vietnamese Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh, Dr Momen congratulated Vietnam in advance for taking over ASEAN Chairmanship in 2020.
He sought Vietnam’s support for the early repatriation of Rohingya to maintain regional peace, stability and security.
Both the ministers followed up the decisions and MoUs signed during the Vietnamese president’s visit to Bangladesh in 2018 and agreed to continue to ensure speedy implementation of these instruments.
Bangladesh Ambassador to Thailand Md Nazmul Quaunine and high officials from Bangladesh, Canada, India, Sri Lanka and Vietnam were present during the meetings.
