Bangladesh’s priority is to repatriate Rohingyas to Myanmar, PM tells Uzra Zeya

According to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, returning Rohingyas to Myanmar, where they originally came from, is a top priority for her administration.

“Our priority is to repatriate the forcibly displaced Rohingyas taken shelter in Bangladesh to their homeland,” she said.

The Prime Minister made the comments on Thursday while receiving a courtesy call from Uzra Zeya, the Under Secretary General for Civilian, Security, Democracy, and Human Rights at the US State Department, outside the 78th UNGA.

On the fringes of the 78th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), Foreign Minister Dr. AK Abdul Momen informed reporters about the Prime Minister’s engagements.

During the conference, they also covered a range of international and local problems.

Uzra Zeya informed the Prime Minister during the meeting that they had resolved to give Bangladesh and Myanmar $116 million each for the rehabilitation of Rohingyas.

Zeya emphasized the necessity of finding Rohingyas jobs in order to improve their standard of living.

Prior to beginning the process of sending Rohingyas back to their country of origin, the US Under Secretary General emphasized the importance of ensuring their safety and security.

The Prime Minister stated that Rohingya repatriation should begin as soon as possible in order to prevent security concerns to the area as a result of the Rohingyas’ involvement in illicit activities like murder, the smuggling of firearms, and commerce.

As their repatriation has taken so long, Rohingyas have grown impatient and start engaging in criminal activity because they feel there is no future there.

In the complaint that the Gambia filed with the International Court of Justice (ICJ), Sheikh Hasina also requested support from abroad.

France, Canada, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, Denmark, and the Maldives were among the seven nations that approved of the case.

They also talked about Bangladesh’s upcoming general election at the discussion.

They desire a free, fair, and violent-free election in Bangladesh, according to Uzra Zeya. According to the foreign minister, everyone wants free and fair elections.

“Sincere cooperation from all, particularly from the political parties, is required to hold a violence-free election,” he said.

Momen said no government can hang onto power without people’s support.

“We believe in the vote of the people. None can assume power without people’s vote. If anyone comes to power through vote rigging, they can’t remain in power,” he said.

Bangladesh’s national elections will be conducted in accordance with the nation’s constitution, the foreign minister underlined.

In response to a question about the USA sending observers to the upcoming general election in October, Momen responded, “We welcome foreign observers in the next general election.”

Most nations, including India, the United States, and the United Kingdom, forbid election monitors.

According to the foreign minister, if outsiders accurately described something, it would be OK; otherwise, it would be incorrect.

“We don’t want to run the country by taking certificates from foreigners,” he said.

UN’s Special Envoy on the Prevention of Genocide Alice Wairimu Nderitu also paid a courtesy call on Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

The Prime Minister at the time wanted the UN to declare the mass murder committed during the War of Liberation in 1971 to have been a genocide.

Additionally, she has asked the UN for help in order to continue the genocide trial in Myanmar.