B’desh asks Commonwealth countries to pressurise Myanmar for repatriation of Rohingyas

Sheikh Hasina urged the Commonwealth countries to exert pressure on the Myanmar government to “stop persecution of Rohingya citizens and their early repatriation from Bangladesh”.

Dhaka, Nov 6: On Sunday, Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina urged the Commonwealth countries to exert pressure on the Myanmar government to "stop persecution of Rohingya citizens and their early repatriation from Bangladesh", stated media reports.

According to Hasina, at least 622,000 Rohingya refugees have taken shelter in Bangladesh since violence broke out in Rakhine State of Myanmar on August 25.

"I would like to request you all to discuss the Rohingya issue with utmost importance and exert pressure on the Myanmar government to stop the persecution of its citizens and take them back at the earliest," Hasina said in her inaugural speech at the 63rd Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference or CPC in Dhaka.

The PM stressed that the persecution of Rohingya population in Rakhine State and their forceful expulsion from their homeland have created instability in the region and beyond.

Hasina stated that Bangladesh has been already giving shelter to 400,000 Rohingya refugees before the latest episode of exodus that started after violence broke out in Myanmar on August 25.

These are the refugees who have been staying in Bangladesh after they left Myanmar since 1978 in various episodes of violence and persecution over the years.

Hasina said that Bangladesh wants friendly relations with its neighbours. The PM cited the progress made on the Ganges Water sharing issue and the land boundaries with India and Myanmar.

Hasina reaffirmed Bangladesh's commitment to the CPA, democratic practices and values. "We parliamentarians, as the people's representatives, have the first and foremost obligations to preserve and maintain the faith of the people in democracy and parliamentary institutions," she said.

The Myanmar government has recently stated that it was ready to take back at least 150 to 300 Rohingyas per day provided they have valid documents to show.

Even talks are on between the Myanmar and Bangladesh governments over the repatriation of millions of Rohingyas currently staying in various refugee camps in Bangladesh's Cox's Bazar district.

OneIndia News