Arakan News Agency
Pressure is mounting on the US to take leadership in resolving the humanitarian crisis created by innumerable Rohingyas illegally fleeing from Myanmar to escape continued political oppression there. Congressman Joseph Crowley, chairman of the Bangladesh caucus in the US Congress, told Prothom Alo, he welcomed the US initiative to rehabilitate Rohingya refugees in the US.…
On the other hand, the US state department has informed Prothom Alo in a written statement from its spokesperson, the US is prepared accept a limited number of Rohingya refugees among the most distressed. However, the UN High Commissioner for Refugees will have to take leadership of the task.
Both the Democrats and the Republicans in the US Congress have agreed to the issue of providing shelter to the Rohingyas at risk in the Indian and Pacific oceans after falling prey to traffickers. In a letter written this week to secretary of state John Kerry, 23 members of Congress from both parties called upon the US government to take measures regarding the Rohingyas trapped at sea and also address the root cause of the problem.
In the letter the congressmen said, now is the time for the US and like-minded countries to rescue the thousands of Rohingya refugees at sea and provide them with humanitarian support.
Congressman Joseph Crowley sent Prothom Alo a press note regarding this letter. This Democrat congressman of New York, chairman of the US Congress’ Bangladesh caucus, is known for his empathy towards Bangladesh. When contacted for his opinion on the Rohingya issue, his public relations director Courtney Gidner told Prothom Alo, he supported the US government’s decision to provide shelter to a limited number of Rohingya refugees.
Source : Prothom ALO
