Bangladesh is paying special attention to the ongoing situation in Myanmar to prevent further infiltration and ensure no harm to its citizens, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said.
“The ongoing conflict in Rakhine is an internal matter of Myanmar. However, special attention is being paid to ensure that our citizens are not harmed in any way in this conflict and that no new infiltration occurs,” Foreign Ministry’s spokesperson Seheli Sabrin said at the daily briefing on Thursday.
“We have two diplomatic missions in Myanmar. Our Mission in Sittwe and Embassy in Naypyidaw are monitoring the overall situation and liaising with the government of Myanmar as necessary,” she said.
“The Foreign Ministry is maintaining close communication with all government authorities and the Myanmar Embassy in Dhaka regarding the existing situation and possible implications. Our border guards also continue to be in contact with their Myanmar counterparts,” she added.
According to the UN Human Rights Office (OHCHR), over 554 people have died since October. Overall, for 2023, the number of civilians reportedly killed by the military rose to over 1,600, an increase of some 300 from the previous year.
As of January 26, the UN office citing credible sources had documented the arrest of nearly 26,000 people on political grounds – of whom 19,973 remain in detention, some reportedly subjected to torture and abuses, and with no hope of a fair trial.
Over the last three years, some 1,576 individuals have died while being held by the military.
Earlier, Foreign Minister Dr Hasan Mahmud had said that Bangladesh forces along the border remain alert.
“Situation in Myanmar has never been good. It always fluctuates – sometimes good, sometimes bad. Myanmar is going through such a situation,” he had said, as Bangladesh has given shelter to over 1.1 million Rohingya refugees who fled ethnic cleansing in the Rakhine State.
None of them returned despite deals between the government and the tripartite mechanism with China.
UN Resident Coordinator in Dhaka Gwyn Lewis, however, recently said that this is not the good time to start repatriation.
