Bangladesh has no plan to provide Rohingyas with the status of refugees, foreign secretary M Shahidul Haque said on Tuesday.
"Bangladesh and many other countries in Asia are not the signatory to the 1951 convention on refugee. As per the instruction of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina we still keep our border open for the Rohingyas. The Convention also stipulates to do so," he said.
We are providing shelters and all kinds of protection and safety to the Rohingyas who fled Myanmar, the foreign secretary added.
He was talking to the newsmen after a workshop in the city.
UN Special Rapporteur on Myanmar, Professor Yanghee Lee urged Bangladesh and the international community on Sunday to recognise Rohingyas as 'refugee' in line with the international convention on refugee, enacted in 1951.
Mr Haque argued that since the Rohingyas were given all sorts of facilities, it was immaterial whether they were given the status of refugee or not.
"Naming does not matter - To us, they are Rohingyas. We are giving them all kinds of help. And the Rohingyas are also not interested to be included in any particular category. We are giving them all kinds of protection. That is important for them, so all of us should focus on this instead of their naming or status," he said.
About the repatriation of Rohingyas, the foreign secretary said Bangladesh foreign minister AH Mahmood Ali will visit Myanmar to have a first hand account whether right condition was created in Rakhine for the repatriation of Rohingyas.
Mr Haque said considering the latest developments, they were hopeful of sending Rohingyas back within a short time.
"We are very hopeful about it. There is a big movement from international bodies regarding the issue," he added.
After the visits of foreign dignitaries, a perception has been created that after going to their place of origin Rohingyas can seek and get their rights, he added.
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