Dhaka wants safe zone in Rakhine for Rohingya repatriation

Dhaka, Feb 10 – Bangladesh has urged the world leaders to make an arrangement of safe zone in Rakhine state of Myanmar for the repatriation of the displaced Rohingya people as soon as possible.
Foreign minister AK Abdul Momen yesterday made the call to the world leaders to expedite the process of the repatriation of the Rohingya.
He further said the lingering of the staying of Rohingya may encourage creating pockets of radicalism and that may create problems of uncertainty and instability not only for Myanmar and Bangladesh but for the entire region.
He told the journalists after hailing from an inaugural session of the seminar on ‘Bangladesh and Human Rights organised by Ministry of Foreign Affairs and United Nations Bangladesh office at a city hotel.
Mia Seppo, United Nations Resident Coordinator in Bangladesh spoke at the inaugural session.
“I have told the world leaders that the Rohingya people have to be repatriated to their own country as soon as possible if the human rights have to be ensured for all. If this problem lingers for a longer time, it may encourage creating pockets of radicalism and that may create problems of uncertainty and instability not only for Myanmar and Bangladesh but for the entire region. Therefore, Rohingya must go back to their homes, earliest the better,” he added.
“The highest example of human rights would be the repatriation of the Rohingya people to the own country by creating opportunity to work, freedom of movement and to live like a human being,” he added.
About the safe zone, he said, “We placed the proposal before the world leaders earlier. We are again placing the proposal. Let the world community inform Myanmar that there would be a safe zone in Rakhaine where the Rohingya will stay. India, China and ASEAN countries would look after them. Myanmar has trust on these countries.”
“Their exodus was created by Myanmar and it is their responsibility to solve it. We want that these people will return in safe and stay in a peaceful environment. These countries will look after their safety and security. Myanmar is our friendly country,” he added.
Asked about Indian’s cooperation in resolving Rohingya crisis, the foreign minister said India would extend all kinds of cooperation. – Staff Reporter