Editorial Desk :
Bangladesh and Myanmar on Wednesday began their long-sought two-day talks with high hopes that it will yield outcomes to sign an MoU enabling both the countries to start the repatriation process of all the Rohingyas from Bangladesh to their homeland Myanmar, as per a report of a local daily.
The international community is also watching the talks and its subsequent outcome as they want to see the safe and dignified return of the Rohingyas as quickly as possible. The meeting is primarily focusing on formation of a joint working group and related terms and conditions for it for the smooth operations of the repatriation process.
Bangladesh is likely to seek a timeframe over completion
of Rohingyas repatriation, as per the report. Bangladesh wants the involvement of the international community, including the UN in verification process which is yet to be accepted by Myanmar side.
Amid mounting international pressure, Myanmar’s de facto leader Aung San Suu Kyi on Tuesday said they have planned to sign an MoU with Bangladesh this week which will enable them to start the repatriation process of all the Rohingyas from Bangladesh to Myanmar. She said the Asian and European countries are keen to help Myanmar in its efforts to bring about peace and stability in Rakhine as quickly as possible.
Over 620,000 Rohingyas have crossed the border and taken shelter in Cox’s Bazar district since August 25. Meanwhile, the European Union has called for steps to ensure voluntary, safe and dignified return of Rohingyas to their places of origin in Rakhine State.
The EU said it remains a strong and committed supporter to Myanmar’s democratic transition. The humanitarian and human rights situation in Rakhine remains extremely serious, reads the deceleration, a copy of which UNB obtained. The EU reiterated its call for the immediate end to all violence and the establishment of non-discriminatory rule of law and civilian administration in Rakhine.
We wish to categorically state that the Rohingya issue is not an issue involving Bangladesh and Myanmar bilaterally. It is an international issue and therefore the active help of the UN and the major world powers are needed for a lasting solution. Just signing MoUs is not enough — there must be active implementation of a lasting solution for the Rohingyas. It is unlikely that Bangladesh will be able to exert enormous influence over Myanmar. In such a situation there must be close supervision by the regional and world powers to ensure that Myanmar actually keeps its side of the deal.
This stance is critical because regional powers like China are insisting that Bangladesh solve the problem bilaterally — but there is no reason for us to do so as the Rohingya issue is an internal Myanmar issue which Myanmar posted upon Bangladesh through its brutal treatment of Rohingyas. We have had bilateral discussions with Myanmar but they have led to nowhere. It is not impossible to assume that the current talks may hit upon a snag somewhere.
Suu Kyi cannot be trusted in reaching a settlement as she has refused to acknowledge the atrocities committed by her army on Rohingya Muslims. There is every reason to believe that she is working for the army to save them from international demand for trying some General’s for the crime against humanity.
Our position should be clear that any bilateral agreement with Myanmar is meaningless unless endorsed by the United Nations. Bangladesh cannot be isolated from international efforts for a solution.
Bangladesh and Myanmar on Wednesday began their long-sought two-day talks with high hopes that it will yield outcomes to sign an MoU enabling both the countries to start the repatriation process of all the Rohingyas from Bangladesh to their homeland Myanmar, as per a report of a local daily.
The international community is also watching the talks and its subsequent outcome as they want to see the safe and dignified return of the Rohingyas as quickly as possible. The meeting is primarily focusing on formation of a joint working group and related terms and conditions for it for the smooth operations of the repatriation process.
Bangladesh is likely to seek a timeframe over completion
of Rohingyas repatriation, as per the report. Bangladesh wants the involvement of the international community, including the UN in verification process which is yet to be accepted by Myanmar side.
Amid mounting international pressure, Myanmar’s de facto leader Aung San Suu Kyi on Tuesday said they have planned to sign an MoU with Bangladesh this week which will enable them to start the repatriation process of all the Rohingyas from Bangladesh to Myanmar. She said the Asian and European countries are keen to help Myanmar in its efforts to bring about peace and stability in Rakhine as quickly as possible.
Over 620,000 Rohingyas have crossed the border and taken shelter in Cox’s Bazar district since August 25. Meanwhile, the European Union has called for steps to ensure voluntary, safe and dignified return of Rohingyas to their places of origin in Rakhine State.
The EU said it remains a strong and committed supporter to Myanmar’s democratic transition. The humanitarian and human rights situation in Rakhine remains extremely serious, reads the deceleration, a copy of which UNB obtained. The EU reiterated its call for the immediate end to all violence and the establishment of non-discriminatory rule of law and civilian administration in Rakhine.
We wish to categorically state that the Rohingya issue is not an issue involving Bangladesh and Myanmar bilaterally. It is an international issue and therefore the active help of the UN and the major world powers are needed for a lasting solution. Just signing MoUs is not enough — there must be active implementation of a lasting solution for the Rohingyas. It is unlikely that Bangladesh will be able to exert enormous influence over Myanmar. In such a situation there must be close supervision by the regional and world powers to ensure that Myanmar actually keeps its side of the deal.
This stance is critical because regional powers like China are insisting that Bangladesh solve the problem bilaterally — but there is no reason for us to do so as the Rohingya issue is an internal Myanmar issue which Myanmar posted upon Bangladesh through its brutal treatment of Rohingyas. We have had bilateral discussions with Myanmar but they have led to nowhere. It is not impossible to assume that the current talks may hit upon a snag somewhere.
Suu Kyi cannot be trusted in reaching a settlement as she has refused to acknowledge the atrocities committed by her army on Rohingya Muslims. There is every reason to believe that she is working for the army to save them from international demand for trying some General’s for the crime against humanity.
Our position should be clear that any bilateral agreement with Myanmar is meaningless unless endorsed by the United Nations. Bangladesh cannot be isolated from international efforts for a solution.
