Dhaka seeks global consensus for Rohingya repatriation

The interim government seeks a global consensus for prompt repatriation of Rohingyas to their homeland in Myanmar considering the issue as an urgent need, High Representative on Rohingya Issues and Priority Affairs to the Chief Advisor Dr. Khalilur Rahman said here at an international conference in Qatar.

"We urge the global community to build a consensus for the prompt repatriation of Rohingyas to their homeland in Myanmar," a foreign ministry statement quoted him as saying at the ongoing Doha Forum being held at the Sheraton Hotel in Qatar's capital. 

Rahman also called for robust international cooperation to address the Rohingya crisis at a session of the conference titled "Bangladesh at a Crossroads: Governance, Democratic Reforms, and the Post-Sheikh Hasina Trajectory".

A pre-recorded six-minute video message from Bangladesh Chief Adviser Professor Dr Muhammad Yunus was screened at the beginning of the session on the forum's second day, attended by Qatar's Minister of State for Higher Education.

Rahman told the session that Bangladesh continued to shelter nearly 1.2 million Rohingyas for the past seven years purely on humanitarian grounds swallowing significant difficulties.

He, however, expected that a special UN conference on the Rohingya issue, scheduled for next year, would accelerate the repatriation process through stakeholders’ collaboration.

Rahman also discussed the socio-political challenges within Bangladesh, including the aftermath of the student-led July-August mass uprising against deposed premier Sheikh Hasina’s "fascist regime" highlighting incidents of violence, including brutal crackdowns, killings, and injuries inflicted on peaceful protesters.

He said the interim government was spearheading a campaign to rebuild the nation founded on democracy and equality in light of the revolutionary movement.

"The interim government is working towards systemic reforms to realise this potential. When children of farmers, laborers, or marginalized communities can dream of leading the nation, we will know meaningful progress has been made," Rahman said.

Rahman also addressed Bangladesh-India relations, criticising misinformation campaigns and urging India to play a more responsible role as a neighbour during this critical transition of Bangladesh to democracy.

He expressed hope that tomorrow’s meeting between the foreign secretaries of Bangladesh and India would pave the way for improved bilateral relations based on mutual respect.

Chairman of the London-based Jagoron Foundation moderated the session, while Anti-Discrimination Movement coordinator Sajid Mahmood; SOAS University of London’s Professor Naomi Hossain, Bangladesh Supreme Court lawyer Cynthia Farid and Chairman of the Institute of Policy Advocacy and Governance Syed Munir Khasru spoke as the panelists.   

The event was attended by delegates of the Doha Forum, notable members of the Bangladeshi expatriate community in Qatar, Bangladesh's Ambassador to Qatar Mohammad Nazrul Islam, embassy officials, and Director General of the West Asia Division of Bangladesh's Ministry of Foreign Affairs Mohammad Shafiqur Rahman.