UK backs safe return of Rohingya people

The United Kingdom (UK) has assured Bangladesh of its support for 'voluntary, safe and dignified' return of the Rohingya refugees.

Talking to reporters, British High Commissioner in Dhaka Alison Blake said Tuesday Britain was committed to keeping the international spotlight on the Rohingya crisis.

She also said her country was committed to supporting Bangladesh in its humanitarian response and to the "voluntary, safe and dignified and sustainable" return of the Rohingya to Myanmar.

Ms Blake stressed the need for providing "space" to the opposition political parties and for freedom of the press to ensure a free, fair, participatory and credible general election.

Her comments came at a discussion, organised by the Diplomatic Correspondents Association of Bangladesh (DCAB) in the city.

Responding to a question, Ms Blake said the Rohingyas who faced brutality in the Northern Rakhaine in Myanmar deserve justice and the perpetrators who unleashed atrocities against them should be tried.

The British envoy argued that unless a conducive environment was restored in Myanmar, repatriating Rohingyas to their homes will be futile.

"Building new houses and settlement is not enough. For the sustainable return of Rohingyas, the right condition should be created," she said.

Responding to a question about the attempt of a prosecutor at the International Criminal Court (ICC) to seek jurisdiction over atrocities in Rakhaine, Ms Blake said though the process was lengthy and involved a lot of complicated issues, the UK as a signatory to the ICC would back any such ruling.

Asked about Britain's views on the current political situation and the upcoming elections of Bangladesh, she said that the UK always calls for holding a free, fair, participatory and credible election.

Ms Blake noted Bangladesh's political parties had "enough maturity" to resolve their domestic political problems through dialogue.

"We do not think that any third party mediation is required here," she added.

But the British envoy made it clear that her country always stresses the need for freedom of the press, free movement of people and providing sufficient spaces to the opposition political parties, which were crucial to upholding democratic values.

In this connection, she pointed out that the opposition parties should always keep in mind to resolve the political issues in a peaceful manner.

Ms Blake noted that BNP is getting more media coverage at present which justifies that their role as a formidable opposition political party.

The British envoy ruled out the idea that processing Bangladeshi visa applications in Delhi was biased, saying though there were Indian staffers in the visa processing section in Delhi the British employees would have the final say.

"We have been maintaining the global standards in this case, so simply shifting of place should not worry anyone," she said.

She, however, urged all to remain alert of the so-called agents who lured visa applicants to be involved in unfair means while applying for the UK visas.

Often they have suggested submitting forged documents, and if forged documents are submitted the applicant is barred from getting visa for next 10 years, she warned.

Ms Blake said that Britain's exit from EU would not harm the UK-Bangladesh trade as the country would continue its cooperation with Bangladesh like in the past. She also reiterated Britain's commitment to helping Bangladesh in gaining the economic strength to complete its graduation from LDC status by 2024.

DCAB president Rezaul Karim Lotus moderated the discussion and its secretary Mahfuj Mishu made the welcome remarks.

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