Diplomats for “safe, voluntary and dignified” Rohingya return

Foreign diplomats on Sunday committed to continue their support towards achieving sustainable solution to the Rohingya crisis as Dhaka urged them to continue their engagement with Myanmar for effective implementation of the return arrangements.

They expressed their commitment during a diplomatic briefing organised by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs at State Guest House Padma Sunday afternoon, according to a foreign ministry statement issued here after the briefing.

Foreign Minister A.H. Mahmood Ali briefed the diplomatic corps on the recent developments on the issue of return of displaced Rohingyas to their homeland in Myanmar when the foreign diplomats commended government for sheltering the persecuted Rohingyas and for managing a humanitarian situation of such magnitude so efficiently.

Ambassadors, High Commissioners and representatives of 52 missions including USA, UK, KSA, India, China, Japan and Qatar engaged into an interactive discussion with Ali during the session on the practical questions related to sustainable return, reports BSS.

Foreign Secretary and other senior officials of the ministry were also present.

However, India supported Bangladesh’s plan to start the repatriation of Rohingya refugees and urged the international community to support the process.

"You have to start the process...What the ministry of foreign affairs is doing is definitely in the right direction," said Indian High Commissioner Harsh Vardhan Shringla emerging from the briefing meeting.

British High Commissioner Alison Blake said the return should be "safe, voluntary and dignified" so that it becomes sustainable. 

Laying emphasis on safe return of Rohingys, the US Ambassador in Dhaka Marcia Bernicat said, the US is very much with the government for safe repatriation of the Rohingya refugees.

"We are with your government," she said when her comments were sought on the issue. She assured of US support to Bangladesh to complete the process.