Bangladesh will take decision after observing the situation in Rakhine state of Myanmar, said Chief Adviser’s high representative on the “Rohingya crisis and matters of priority” Dr Khalilur Rahman on Friday.
“We don’t want to do anything in a hurry; rather we have to wait until the situation in Rakhine State becomes stable. This is not just a humanitarian issue, but a matter of our national security. Steps will be taken after thorough observations,” he said.
He was addressing a discussion virtually on ‘Rohingya Crisis and Regional Security: Relevant Considerations for Bangladesh’, organized by Unity for Bangladesh at the Muzaffar Ahmed Chowdhury auditorium of social science faculty on Dhaka University campus.
Khalilur said the Arakan Army has already taken a strong position in the border areas especially, in the Rakhine region where the Rohingya live. “It is no longer under the control of the Myanmar government. We need to look at this issue seriously. We want a permanent solution to the Rohingya problem”, he added.
He said initiatives have been taken to get in touch with the Arakan Army so that the stability in the border is maintained.
“Another has been taken to organize an international conference in Doha, Qatar on the Rohingya crisis. International politics and public opinion are also crucial in resolving this crisis. We have got an opportunity to make the international initiative effective to solve the problem”, he added.
He also said a joint initiative has been taken with the UN Secretary-General’s Special Envoy for Myanmar on whether more refugees can come to Bangladesh in the current situation in Rakhine.
“We have taken the initiative to issue an international statement together to call on the conflicting parties in Myanmar to abide by international law and avoid conflict. We hope that the conflicting parties will take this into account”, he added.
Migration expert Dr C R Abrar said, “It is our responsibility to educate the Rohingya population. They must be educated and trained so that they feel the urge to return to their homeland on their own”.
He said initiatives should be taken with the United Nations so that the Rohingyas should be able to reach an agreement with the other party on the issue of their identity and rights.
Former Principal Staff Officer (PSO) of Armed Forces Division Lt. Gen. Mohammad Mahfuzur Rahman, Security expert retired Major General Md Nayeem Ashfaque Chowdhury and DU International Relations Department Professor Dr. Saima Ahmed also took part in the discussion, moderated by Unity for Bangladesh Spokesperson Manjur Moin.
