Earlier on Monday, during a meeting with Bangladesh Prime Minister, he had said that the situation of Rohingyas was of great concern to his country and laid emphasis on their safe and voluntary repatriation to Myanmar. We warmly appreciate the Swiss President’s encouraging and supportive words. Also by now, we know the international community along with the UN is on Bangladesh side.
The point, however, apart from international support, the present situation demands safe and fast repatriation of the refugees. The root of all evil being in Myanmar, we urge the international community, including Switzerland, to mount pressure on Myanmar for an early peaceful solution to the crisis. Encouraging words and vocal support will not end the crisis.
Following repeated warnings of the upcoming monsoon’s potential environmental disasters and deteriorating condition of the Rohingyas in their makeshift camps in Teknaf and Cox’s Bazar – the pressure built up on Myanmar by the International Community is yet negligible. That said – absence of significant pressure and sanctions have emboldened the Myanmar authorities to play with time.
In tuned with the Swiss President’s expectations, we also strongly desire that all returns of refugees to be voluntary and safe, and carried out with dignity. But current reality speaks of a different situation with little progress in the repatriation efforts.
However, in her statement issued on the same day the PM reportedly said, she had a ‘productive meeting’ and has discussed the Rohingya crisis during the bilateral talks with her Swiss counterpart. She also shared the same opinion that the root of the problem lies in Myanmar, the solution has to be found in Myanmar. We however could have marked progress – if the Swiss government had pledged to get engaged directly with the repatriation process or re-define its diplomatic ties with Myanmar.
The bottom-line: we are surely grateful to the international community for their support, appreciation and aid but the humanitarian crisis is prolonging for the distressed refugees.
Everyday the crisis for providing adequate help is deepening. In spite of all the good intentions being expressed by international community sufficient practical activities to force Myanmar government to take back their people are not visibly there. Myanmar government does not fear of being punished for brutal ethnic cleansing. Myanmar should internationally isolated as a savage country, unfit for the civilised world.
