COX'S BAZAR, Dec 20 (UNB): Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yildirim on Wednesday called upon the international community to work jointly to send back Rohingyas to their homeland safely and with all facilities in place what they deserve.
Terming Myanmar's brutal crackdown on its Rohingya minority "ethnic cleansing", he said it has become urgent for the international community to put in joint efforts for Rohingyas' safe return to Myanmar.
The Turkish Prime Minister arrived at Cox's Bazar airport by a special flight at around 11am and he reached Balukhali Rohingya camp at about 11:54am.
He inaugurated two field hospitals financed by the Turkish government and handed over two modern ambulances for the hospitals.
Prime Minister Yildirim had conversations with Rohingya men, women and children and listened to their horrific stories of tortures.
Rohingyas described what they experienced at the brutal hands of Myanmar army and appreciated Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's role and for giving them shelter in Bangladesh.
They demanded citizenship first if they are sent back to Myanmar under the repatriation agreement signed between Bangladesh and Myanmar.
The Turkish Prime Minister listened to them and assured them of ensuring all facilities in Myanmar they deserve before the repatriation.
Later, he distributed foodstuff in Kutupalong camp and left the camp at about 1:30pm.
Foreign Minister AH Mahmood Ali accompanied the Turkish Prime Minister during the visit.
The Turkish Prime Minister left for home straight from Cox's Bazar at 2:43pm. Foreign Minister Mahmood Ali saw him off at the airport.
Another report adds: The government of Myanmar has informed UN Special Rapporteur Yanghee Lee that all access to the country has been denied and cooperation withdrawn for the duration of her tenure.
Lee had been due to visit Myanmar in January to assess the state of human rights countrywide, including the human rights abuses against Rohingya Muslims in Rakhine State.
"It is a shame that Myanmar has decided to take this route," said Lee.
She said the Myanmar Government has repeatedly denied violations of human rights are occurring throughout Myanmar, particularly in Rakhine State.
They have said that they have nothing to hide, but their lack of cooperation with my mandate and the fact-finding mission suggests otherwise, said the expert.
"I am puzzled and disappointed by this decision by the Myanmar Government," Lee was quoted as saying in a statement UNB obtained from Genevaon Wednesday.
"This declaration of non-cooperation with my mandate can only be viewed as a strong indication that there must be something terribly awful happening in Rakhine, as well as in the rest of the country," she said. The Special Rapporteur said she sincerely hoped Myanmar would revisit the decision.
"Only two weeks ago, Myanmar's Permanent Representative informed the Human Rights Council of its continuing cooperation with the UN, referencing the relationship with my role as Special Rapporteur," she said.
"Now I am being told that this decision to no longer cooperate with me is based on the statement I made after I visited the country in July."
