UNB :
Welcoming the resumption of talks between Bangladesh and Myanmar, Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen on Wednesday reiterated Dhaka’s call to expedite the verification process of the Rohingyas to begin their repatriation to their place of origin in Rakhine State of Myanmar.
“It’s good news that they (Myanmar) have started discussion,” he said, adding that there have been three meetings at various levels recently.
While taking to reporters in a city hotel Momen said the Bangladesh side handed over a list of 8.30 lakh individuals containing biometric data but they have only verified 58000.
He said Bangladesh wants to begin repatriation of the Rohingyas but no date has been fixed yet to make that happen.
Momen, however, said the two sides had a good meeting on Tuesday in which Bangladesh laid emphasis on expediting the verification process and begin the repatriation of the Rohingyas as soon as possible.
Bangladesh and Myanmar on Tuesday held “substantive discussions” on all issues related to voluntary, safe, dignified and sustainable repatriation of the Rohingyas to their homeland.
At a meeting held virtually, Bangladesh stressed on the need for early commencement of repatriation to lessen the colossal burden of hosting the displaced people, expeditious
verification of eligibility for return, and security, livelihood and wellbeing of the returnees.
Foreign secretary Masud Bin Momen and Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Myanmar Chan Aye led the respective sides at the fifth meeting of the Joint Working Group (JWG) on the repatriation of the Rohingyas temporarily sheltered in Bangladesh.
Five years have passed since the Rohingyas fled home in one of the largest exoduses in recent history.
