The European Union (EU) has urged the governments in the region to conduct rescue operations and find a solution for safe disembarkation of floating Rohingyas at sea following the example shown by Bangladesh.
The EU said Bangladesh granted safe landing and assistance to 400 Rohingyas on a boat on April 16, showing continued generosity and humanity, reports UNB.
"We hope that countries in the region will follow this example," said High Representative/Vice President Josep Borrell and Commissioner Janez Lenarčič in a statement on the situation of the Rohingya people on the waters of the Bay of Bengal and the Andaman Sea.
Several hundreds of Rohingya people, including women and children, have been drifting at sea for weeks in appalling conditions, being pushed back from the shores in the Bay of Bengal and the Andaman Sea.
Earlier, Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen said the around 500 Rohingyas who are on two boats are not in or even near the Bangladesh maritime border.
He pointed out that according to the law of the sea, other countries in the region have responsibilities to save the Rohingyas.
The EU urged all armed forces in Myanmar to urgently implement an unconditional ceasefire and recommit to an all-inclusive peace process.
This would help to address the root causes of the plight of the Rohingyas.
The EU is a key humanitarian and development donor for the Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh and it stands ready to provide further support in the region.
"We continue to advocate for the safe, sustainable, dignified, and voluntary return of the Rohingya refugees to their places of origin and for ensuring full accountability for the crimes committed against them," the statement reads.
