Arakan News Agency
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Sunday urged the international community, including the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), to put pressure on Myanmar to take back Rohingya refugees living in Bangladesh.
She made the plea when UNHCR High Commissioner Filippo Grandi met her at her Sangsad Bhaban office.
PM’s press secretary Ihsanul Karim briefed reporters after the meeting.
He said the Prime Minister mentioned that the longstanding problem can be solved by ensuring sustainable repatriation of the Myanmar refugees to their homeland.
Sheikh Hasina put emphasis on creating a congenial atmosphere for the Rohingya people by the Myanmar government.
She said the Rohingya refugees have been living an inhuman life in Bangladesh and their sufferings have worsened further with the rainy season.
The Prime Minister mentioned that Bangladesh is a densely-populated country and these refugees are creating pressure on its socioeconomic structures.
Hasina said her government has identified some island areas and planned to build necessary structures, including shelter, school and hospitals, for the Rohingya refugees.
She also said Bangladesh once had insurgency problems in the Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT), but it was solved by bilateral discussions, and then Bangladesh brought back its nationals who had taken refuge in India.
The Prime Minister also said Bangladesh has very good relations with all its neighbours, including Myanmar and reiterated that its government will not allow anyone to use its soil against the neighbours.
Filippo Grandi expressed gratitude to Bangladesh for its sacrifice for the Myanmar Rohingya refugees. “Bangladesh deserves all the appreciations and recognition for what it has been doing for the Rohingya refugees.”
He said his talks with the Foreign Ministry will continue and go to Cox’s Bazar on Monday to see the Rohinya refugees.
Filippo Grandi assured Bangladesh of extending all possible cooperation from the UNHCR in resolving the refugee issue.
