Sunday, July 15, 2018

Myanmar only says, but doesn’t act, PM tells Kerry

Dhaka, Jul 15 (UNB) – Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Sunday said Myanmar agrees on all issues during dialogues over the return of displaced Rohingyas, but it finally does not act.

She made the remarks when Kerry Kennedy, President of advocacy organisation 'Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights’, met her at her office in the city.

Prime Minister’s Press Secretary Ihsanul Karim briefed reporters after the meeting.

“We’re having dialogues with Myanmar. We always want a peaceful solution to any problem. We had foreign minister-level and officers-level talks with Myanmar. Unfortunately, they do agree on all things, finally they don’t act,” he quoted the Prime Minister as saying.
Also read: Myanmar in dialogue, not in action on Rohingya issues: PM

Mentioning that some 1.1 million Rohingyas took shelter in Bangladesh, Sheikh Hasina said it is a huge burden on Bangladesh.

Local people have been suffering and they cannot cultivate their lands as the displaced Myanmar nationals kept their lands occupied, she said.

Hasina said local people voluntarily came forward to help the Rohingya as they fled persecution in Rakhine and took shelter in Bangladesh.

The Prime Minister said the displaced Rohingyas were provided with identity cards after their biometric registration process. Bangladesh is now preparing a place in Bhashanchar is for the relocation of the Rohingyas from Cox’s Bazar, she said.

Kerry Kennedy said she came to Bangladesh to see the plight of the forcibly displaced Rohingyas.

Noting that they also visited Rakhine, Kerry said infrastructures, including houses, have not been built yet in Rakhine for the return of the Rohingyas.

She said the safety and security of Rohingyas are very important in case of their return to Myanmar. The international national community will have to work for ensuring their protection and safety, she said.

Kerry highly appreciated the social safety net and women empowerment of Bangladesh, calling these initiatives extraordinary.

PM's daughter and noted Autism activist Saima Wazed Hossain, Principal Secretary Md Nojibur Rahman and PMO Secretary Sajjadul Hassan were present.