Bangladesh has urged the US administration—and other countries, who maintain close economic and commercial ties with Myanmar—to solicit support on the Rohingya issue and create pressure on Myanmar to take its nationals back from Bangladesh, as per agreements signed.
Bangladesh also conveyed that it is extremely critical that there be international pressure on Myanmar's military to stop persecuting the Rohingyas and, instead, create a favorable environment to facilitate their safe return, reported UNB.
To discuss the issue, Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen met with Senator Christopher Murphy and USAID Administrator Ambassador Mark Green in Washington DC on Tuesday, as said by the Bangladesh Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
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Minister Dr Momen suggested to Senator Christopher Murphy that it would be effective if both houses of the US Congress passed a resolution that sanctions perpetrators, and entities, in Myanmar who persecuted the minority Rohingyas and violated human rights.
He said the Myanmar authorities took some Rohingyas back in the 1990s, when they were isolated internationally, but this time they have not taken the required measures to implement the agreements to repatriate the Rohingyas to Myanmar.
A problem was created by Myanmar and the solution lies with Myanmar too, the Foreign Minister added.
Senator Murphy thanked Dr Momen for the insight and assured to remain beside Bangladesh in dealing with this crisis.
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Dr Momen praised the USAID Administrator for standing beside the Rohingyas with material, political, and financial support, which they have promised to continue.
Mark Green reassured Dr Momen that a peaceful resolution to the Rohingya issue is not just Bangladesh’s concern, but rather, a responsibility of the global community.
A brief was given to Ambassador Green about relocation of 100,000 Rohingyas from Cox’s Bazar to Bhashanchar, an island on which Bangladesh has built housing for the refugees, at its own expense.
The Minister said that the Rohingyas will have livelihood opportunities there.
Bangladesh Ambassador to the US Mohammad Ziauddin also attended the meeting with the Foreign Minister.
