‘US to continue pushing Myanmar for Rohingya repatriation’

The United States has been continuing to push Myanmar in order to bring back the Rohingya refugees who had fled to Bangladesh in the face of the brutal military crackdown. Acting Assistant Secretary to the US Bureau of Population, Refugee and Migration Simon Henshaw made the comment during his visit to Kutupalong Rohingya camp on Friday adding that his country would put more pressure in this regard in the future. Simon also applauded Bangladesh for accommodating such a large number of people being a small country. He said: “It’s unprecedented. We have been and will be with Bangladesh in this crisis situation.” Earlier in the day, a 22-member US delegation has visited several Rohingya camps and talked with the refugees. Deputy Assistant Secretary to the US Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labour Scott Busby, acting Deputy Assistant Secretary to the US Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs Tom Bhajda and Office Director to the US Bureau of East Asia and Pacific Region Patricia Mahoni took part in the delegation among others. The same delegation is scheduled to visit Myanmar and discuss the ongoing crisis with their diplomatic community, high-level government officials and other international organisation including United Nations operating in Myanmar. The delegation will seek for unconditional access for relief agencies and journalists to the Rakhine state and discuss the repatriation process of the Rohingya refugees.The story was first published in the Bangla Tribune