Former UN chief Ban Ki-moon believes Myanmar is not
playing the role expected of it in repatriating refugees from Bangladesh to
their homeland in order to resolve the Rohingya crisis.
Speaking to the media after visiting the Rohingya people
at refugee camps in southern Bangladesh district of Cox’s Bazar neighbouring
Myanmar on Wednesday, he voiced concerns over the ethnic group’s safety back in
their country.
The former United Nations secretary-general, who is
working as chairman of the Global Commission on Adaptation, came to Cox’s Bazar
to see the impact of the Rohingya population on the environment of the area
hosting the refugees.
Marshall Islands President Hilda Hein, World Bank CEO
Kristalina Georgieva, and Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen were with Ban during
the visit to a makeshift camp at Kutupalong, the largest refugee settlement in
the world.
Rohingya men and women in ripped cloths and chhildren
without anything to wear gathered in front of their shanties to welcome Ban and
the others.
Ban said he had helped tens of millions of refugees
including Syrians when he served the world body.
“But what I saw today is really heartbreaking,” he said,
hoping that the Rohingyas will be able to return to their homeland safe and
sound.
There has been no progress in repatriation of the
Rohingyas as concerns over their safety and dignity in Myanmar have remained
despite the signing of a deal.
“There is great dismay and concern among the Rohingyas
that I watched myself,” Ban said.
“Myanmar government should do much more so that Rohingyas
can return to their homeland without fear and persecution,” he said.
Ban, Hein and Georgieva planted some trees on the top of
the hill where the Rohingyas have taken shelter.
Earlier in the day in the capital, Ban along with Prime
Minister Sheikh Hasina attended the opening session of the commission’s Dhaka
Meeting, where Hasina implored the international community to step up efforts
to expedite the repatriation of the Rohingya refugees.
Ban in Cox’s Bazar said: “It is not possible for
Bangladesh to host such a large number of Rohingyas for long.”
“I sincerely hope that there will be harmonious solution
to the problem,” he said.
Source: bdnews24.com