Diplomatic Correspondent :
Bangladesh will not allow any Rohingya infiltration any more even though fresh violence has erupted inside the Rakhaine State due to the fighting between Myanmar Army and Arakan Army.
Bangladesh has sealed the border preventing any Rohingya entry inside the country’s territory and taken all necessary in this regard, Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen said on Wednesday.
While addressing a press briefing in the Foreign Ministry on the occasion of the upcoming 77th session of United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), Abdul Momen said Bangladesh warned Myanmar about the firing of mortar shells and bullets, while fighting with Arakan army on the border of the two countries.
He said that during the UNGA Bangladesh will table the Rohingya repatriation issue before the world leaders that the crisis has not been resolved in the last five years despite Myanmar’s commitment.
“We will tell UN that Myanmar made commitment to take back their nationals but did not materialize it even after five years. The world community should give more emphasis on it. They should have more involvement here,” Dr Momen said.
He also said that the government has told the Border Guards of Bangladesh and other law enforcers to remain alert on the border amid the evolving situation there.
“We have told Myanmar that their shells and bullets straightly land in our territory. They have assured us not to repeat it. We have sealed the border,” he added.
In reply to a query whether such violence on the Bangladesh-Myanmar create problem in repatriation, he said, “Such violence may also help the repatriation process. It may be opposite also. We don’t know. But we are hopeful that repatriation will begin.”
Drawing attention to the sanctions on Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) and some of its officials, Momen said that the sanction did not pinpoint why it has been imposed on RAB and its officials
“They (US) did not give any detail statement why the sanction has been imposed. It has been said roughly. We would like to know about the reason of the sanction. We could handle the reasons better if we could have known it but they did not pinpoint it,” he added.
On December 10, 2021, US Treasury Department said, “Widespread allegations of serious human rights abuse in Bangladesh by the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB)-as part of the Bangladeshi government’s war on drugs-threaten U.S. national security interests by undermining the rule of law and respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms, and the economic prosperity of the people of Bangladesh.”
Regarding his participation in the UNGA, he said, “InshaAllah, Everything is by the will of Allah. You never know what problems lie ahead or even death may happen. How could you know? But I am in the programme and going.”
Regarding the UNGA, he said, “A delegation led by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will reach New York on 20 September to attend the 77th Session of UNGA.”
Prior to the USA, the Prime Minister will visit the UK from 15-19 September where she will join the funeral of Queen Elizabeth II on 19 September in London.
In addition, Prime Minister will stay in Washington DC from September 25 to October 1 after New York tour.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is scheduled to leave Dhaka for London on September 15.
Dr Momen said the UNGA will get importance on a number of issues including pandemic, climate change, Rohingya crisis, food and fuel security, multilateralism, sustainable housing, safe, reliable and inclusive digital infrastructure.
