Dhaka has protested the latest statement by Myanmar’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs on the Rohingya issue, expressing concern over what it described as inaccurate information regarding the displaced Rohingya population.
Director General of the Myanmar Wing at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Md Toufique-ur-Rahman conveyed Bangladesh’s concerns to Myanmar Ambassador to Bangladesh U Kyaw Soe Moe on Tuesday.
Myanmar’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a press statement on the Rohingya issue on August 15.
Referring to the statement, Toufique said many of the figures and other information in it, including the number of displaced Rohingyas, were based on incorrect statistics.
He said data registered under the UN system reflects the actual number of Rohingyas.
The DG urged the Myanmar ambassador to expedite the verification of displaced Rohingyas based on the agreed bilateral arrangements, taking into account children born in the camps and Rohingyas who fled Rakhine after 2017.
He said the registration of Rohingyas in Bangladesh remains underway and that information on those registered after the 828,824 already recorded would be shared with Myanmar authorities in due course.
Toufique also requested that the information be properly reflected in the verification process.
He further stressed that the Rohingyas are not “Bangali”, saying their distinct ethnic identity is recognized by Myanmar authorities.
Ambassador U Kyaw Soe Moe assured Bangladesh that he would convey Dhaka’s concerns and observations to his capital.
He also reiterated his government’s commitment to expediting the verification process to facilitate the repatriation of verified Rohingyas.
Toufique-ur-Rahman said the only sustainable solution to the crisis is the safe, dignified and voluntary repatriation of Rohingyas to Rakhine.