While official describes first state-sponsored visit to
Myanmar as positive, he is unable to cite any visible progress
A Bangladeshi delegation that recently visited Myanmar to
peacefully resolve the Rohingya refugee crisis has returned without making any
significant progress, according to a senior Bangladeshi official.
A 15-member high-profile Bangladeshi delegation led by
Foreign Minister AH Mahmood Ali delegation visited Myanmar between Thursday and
Saturday. It was the first state sponsored high profile visit to Myanmar since
the persecuted Rohungya fled to Bangladesh a year ago.
Commissioner of Bangladesh Refugee relief and
repatriation Commission Abul Kalam told Anadolu Agency in capital Dhaka Tuesday
the delegation visited Myanmar as part of “a continuous effort to have a
peaceful end of the refugee crisis, and we are hopeful that through these
efforts a suitable condition will be created to repatriate Rohingya to their
own land”.
But, despite the fact the he could not mention any
visible progress; he described the recent visit as a “positive outcome” for Bangladesh.
He said a joint group discussion remains ongoing.
Director of COAST, a local rights body, Sanat K Bhowmik,
called for a quick resolution of the refugee crisis, reminding that Rohingya
people continue to live in inhumane conditions.
Government of Bangladesh is trying to solve the crisis
through diplomatic ways. Dhaka also have had discussion with neighboring India
and China—the countries could play vital role in solving the stuck, he added.
Rohingya refugees have long been expressing doubts and
fears whether they would get their rights as citizen if repatriation happened.
Agreeing with their doubts and fears, Bhowmik said Myanmar
had not met its commitments since the Rohingya people fled persecution in their
country.
Earlier on Monday evening, the Bangladesh Foreign
Secretary Md Shahidul Haque did not mention any date for the repatriation of
Rohingya, saying “date has not been fixed yet for starting the process”.
Repatriation to any country is a very “complex and
difficult” issue which cannot be done overnight, he added.
Since Aug. 25, 2017, more than 750,000 refugees, mostly
children and women, have fled Myanmar and crossed into Bangladesh after Myanmar
forces launched a crackdown on the minority Muslim community, according to Amnesty
International.
At least 9,400 Rohingya were killed in Rakhine from Aug.
25 to Sept. 24 last year, according to Doctors Without Borders.
The Rohingya, described by the UN as the world's most
persecuted people, have faced heightened fears of attack since dozens were
killed in communal violence in 2012. The UN has documented mass gang rapes,
killings -- including of infants and young children -- brutal beatings, and
disappearances committed by security personnel. In a report, UN investigators
said such violations may have constituted crimes against humanity.
Source: AA