Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has placed a four-point proposal at the 74th session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York to resolve the Rohingya crisis which is becoming a regional threat.
She urged the international community to understand the untenability of the situation as the Rohingya crisis is now going beyond the camps, reports UNB.
“Despite our efforts to contain it, the crisis is now becoming a regional threat. Besides, increasing congestion and environmental degradation is challenging health and security in the area,” she said.
The proposals she placed are-
1) Myanmar must manifest clear political will supported by concrete actions for sustainable return and reintegration of Rohingyas to Myanmar.
2) Myanmar must build trust among Rohingyas by discarding discriminatory laws and practices and allowing ‘‘go-and-see” visit to Northern Rakhine by Rohingya representatives.
3) Myanmar must guarantee security and safety of the Rohingyas by deploying civilian monitors from international community in the Rakhine state.
4) The international community must ensure that the root causes of Rohingya problem are addressed and the violation of human rights and other atrocity committed against the Rohingyas are accounted for.
In the 72nd UNGA in 2017, Hasina had put forth a five-point proposal to resolve the crisis which included full implementation of recommendations of the Kofi Annan Commission, and establishment of civilian monitored safe zone in Rakhine.
Delivering her speech in the 74th UNGA on Friday afternoon (local time), the Prime Minister said it was indeed unfortunate that she had to again raise this issue in this august body as the Rohingya crisis remains unresolved.
She said Bangladesh continues to host 1.1 million Rohingya who were forced to leave Myanmar due to atrocities committed against them.
“The crisis is now lingering into the third year; yet not a single Rohingya could return to Myanmar due to absence of safety and security, freedom of movement and overall conducive environment in Rakhine State of Myanmar,” she said.
“We’re bearing the burden of a crisis which is Myanmar’s own making. It’s an issue solely between Myanmar and its own people, the Rohingyas. They themselves have to resolve it,” said the PM.
She said the voluntary return of the Rohingyas to their homes in Rakhine in safety, security and dignity is the only solution to the crisis, adding that Bangladesh will continue its engagement with Myanmar to make the repatriation of the Rohingyas happen.
