Bangladesh has urged Myanmar to engage foreign observers in Rakhine for ensuring safe and dignified repatriation of Rohingyas to their home land.
It also apprehended that the prolonged stay of Rohingyas in Bangladesh might trigger radicalism and terrorism which would destabilise the region.
"In order to reduce trust deficit and confidence building, we suggested Myanmar to engage non-military civilian observers from their friendly countries like ASEAN, China,Russia, India or other friends of their choice," Bangladesh Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen told the ASEAN Regional Forum on Saturday.
The 27th ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) foreign ministers' meeting was held virtually.
Dr. Momen-led Bangladesh delegation to the meeting was hosted by the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, the current chair of the ARF.
He argued that by engaging the foreign observers, the trust deficit between the Rohngyas and Myanmar could be removed, leading to the sustainable return of the Rohingyas.
"Such engagement may reduce trust deficit for a sustainable return. We solicit support from our ARF partners so that these hapless Rohingyas can return to their homes in safety, security and dignity, resettle there, and reintegrate in their society."
He pointed out that Rohingyas were not returning to their homeland primarily because they do not trust their government of safety and security.
Once they return to their homeland, he added, they could be contributing members in the development of Myanmar.
The minister said that despite the threat to Bangladesh's economy, ecology, and overall societal impact, Bangladesh gave shelter, on a humanitarian ground, to nearly 1.1 million persecuted people fleeing massacre in their homeland.
Bangladesh is keen on solving the crisis through constructive diplomacy with good neighbourly spirit, he said.
"Myanmar is our friendly country and therefore, Bangladesh signed 3 instruments with Myanmar for repatriation. Myanmar agreed to take back them after verification. They also agreed to create a conducive environment for their voluntary repatriation and they agreed to ensure safety and security of the displaced people."
But unfortunately until today, none went back and instead of creating conducive environment, fighting and shelling is ongoing in the Rakhaine state, he repented.
Dr. Momen told the ASEAN countries that Bangladesh apprehended that if this problem is not solved quickly, it might lead to pockets of radicalism.
And since terrorists have no borders, no faith, there's a high possibility of creation of uncertainty in the region which might frustrate our hope for a peaceful, secure and stable region, he noted.
He said common regional problems like terrorism, climate change, irregular movement of people, drug trafficking, trans-national crimes can only be adequately and effectively addressed through mutual trust and cooperation underpinned by multilateral arrangements like ARF.
Terming Asia-Pacific the most dynamic region in the world in terms of economic growth, he said the Covid-19 pandemic poses serious threat to the growth and the main challenge of the ARF is to sustain the growth momentum.
He stressed the need for availability of vaccine to all without discrimination, once it is developed.
"Covid-19 showed us that accumulation of stockpiles of weapons cannot save human lives. Rather investment in medical and social areas can protect us from this Covid."
The minister also said erratic climate changes could be bigger challenge for the region unless the countries aggressively pursue their Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) and agree on loss and damages, adaptation, mitigation issues and also on 'climate migrants' people who would become floating people being uprooted from their homes due to sea level rise or river erosion.
Urging the ASEAN to come forward to address the challenges of the climate change, he said that due to the climate change, the global leadership might face more serious challenges.
"Therefore, we all must walk together in collaboration and in partnership to save our planet from upcoming 'planetary emergency'. We cannot look for plan B, as we have no other planet B. We must save this planet."
He also called upon the ASEAN to work together to enhance the role of ARF in this trying time so that it can serve as the premier regional security forum in the Asia-Pacific region.
The meeting was participated by the foreign ministers, deputy foreign ministers and other delegates of the 26 ARF member states and the secretary general of the European External Action Service of the European Union which is also a member of ARF.
The meeting was chaired by Mr. Pham Binh Minh, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam and Chair of ASEAN Regional Forum.
mirmostafiz@yahoo.com