Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen has sought the passage of a resolution on Myanmar in the US Congress to expedite the repatriation of Rohingya refugees.
He made the suggestion at a meeting with US Senator Christopher Murphy in Washington on Tuesday.
The minister had a detailed discussion on the Rohingya crisis at the meeting, according to a foreign ministry media release issued on Wednesday.
He suggested that it would be effective if both houses of the US Congress could pass a resolution with clauses on sanctions to perpetrators and entities in Myanmar who persecuted the minority Rohingya and grossly violated human rights.
The Myanmar authorities took back some Rohingyas in the 1990s when they were isolated internationally, the minister told the US Senator.
"However, this time they have not taken the required measures to implement the agreements to repatriate the Rohingyas to Myanmar," he said.
The Senator assured the foreign minister to remain beside Bangladesh in dealing with this crisis.
The foreign minister also met USAID Administrator Ambassador Mark Green.
During the meeting, Mr Momen thanked the USA for standing beside the Rohingyas with material help as well as political support.
He said the problem was created by Myanmar and the solution also lies with Myanmar.
It is extremely critical to create international pressure on the Myanmar military so that they stop persecution on the Rohingyas and create a conducive environment to facilitate the latter's safe return, he added.
The minister urged the US administration to solicit support on Rohingya issues from the countries who maintain close economic and commercial ties with Myanmar and together create pressure on Myanmar to take back its nationals from Bangladesh as per agreements signed.
Mr. Green reassured him that a peaceful resolution to the Rohingya issue is not just Bangladesh's concern, rather it is a responsibility of the global community.
He said that the USAID will continue financial support to the Rohingyas and the host community.
He also thanked the Government of Bangladesh for its generosity and compassion.
Mr. Momen briefed Ambassador Green on the relocation of 0.1 million Rohingyas from Cox's Bazar to Bhashanchar, an island which Bangladesh made habitable at own expense.
He said the Rohingyas would have livelihood opportunities in Bhashanchar.
Bangladesh Ambassador to the USA Mohammad Ziauddin accompanied the foreign minister during the meetings.
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