bdnews24.com :
The United Nations has welcomed Bangladesh’s decision to stick to the principle of Rohingyas’ voluntary return to Myanmar.
“The UN actually welcomes the commitment of the government of Bangladesh to stick to the principle of voluntary repatriation, which has been demonstrated today,” Mia Seppo, UN resident coordinator in Dhaka, told reporters on Thursday after Foreign Minister AH Mahmood Ali’s briefing.
Ali said Bangladesh will not send Rohingyas back to Myanmar forcibly.
“There have been campaigns that the Bangladesh government is sending them forcibly. From the beginning we have been saying that it will be a voluntary return. There is no question of forcible repatriation. We gave them shelter, so why should we send them back forcibly.”
Ali, however, did not clarify whether the decision to continue repatriation has been postponed. “Ask the Refugee Repatriation and Relief Commission,” he replied.
Ali briefed diplomats on the Rohingya issue and the ongoing political development at the state guesthouse Padma at a time when the first batch of Rohingya refugees was scheduled to return to Myanmar.
According to an agreement between the two countries, 2,260 Rohingyas of 485 families from Jamtoli refugee shelter at Ukhiya and Teknaf’s Unchiprang shelter in Cox’s Bazar were supposed to be repatriated in 15 days, with 150 per day.
The UN has been expressing its concerns about their safety and security in Myanmar.
The United Nations has welcomed Bangladesh’s decision to stick to the principle of Rohingyas’ voluntary return to Myanmar.
“The UN actually welcomes the commitment of the government of Bangladesh to stick to the principle of voluntary repatriation, which has been demonstrated today,” Mia Seppo, UN resident coordinator in Dhaka, told reporters on Thursday after Foreign Minister AH Mahmood Ali’s briefing.
Ali said Bangladesh will not send Rohingyas back to Myanmar forcibly.
“There have been campaigns that the Bangladesh government is sending them forcibly. From the beginning we have been saying that it will be a voluntary return. There is no question of forcible repatriation. We gave them shelter, so why should we send them back forcibly.”
Ali, however, did not clarify whether the decision to continue repatriation has been postponed. “Ask the Refugee Repatriation and Relief Commission,” he replied.
Ali briefed diplomats on the Rohingya issue and the ongoing political development at the state guesthouse Padma at a time when the first batch of Rohingya refugees was scheduled to return to Myanmar.
According to an agreement between the two countries, 2,260 Rohingyas of 485 families from Jamtoli refugee shelter at Ukhiya and Teknaf’s Unchiprang shelter in Cox’s Bazar were supposed to be repatriated in 15 days, with 150 per day.
The UN has been expressing its concerns about their safety and security in Myanmar.
