Thrust on quick Rohingya return with human dignity, rights

“Rohingyas are sitting idle that creates a risk to be involved in unexpected activities that can deteriorate the law and order situation"

June 20, 2018 00:00:00

Speakers at a press conference demanded on Tuesday quick repatriation of Rohingya refugees with human dignity and rights on the eve of the World Refugee Day, which will be observed across the country today (Wednesday), reports UNB.

They called for condemning the Myanmar Junta for the crime against humanity and bring it under international criminal court.

COAST Trust and Cox's Bazar CSO NGO Forum (CCNF) jointly organised the press conference held at the National Press Club in the city.

Among others, AHM Bazlur Rahman, CEO of Bangladesh NGOs Network for Radio and Communication (BNNRC), Khandakar Abdus Salam of Jatiya Shramik Nirapotta Jote, ASM Badrul Alam of Bangladesh Krishok Federation, Jayed Iqbal Khan of Bangladesh Krishok Federation (JI) and Barkat Ullah Maruf and Iqbal Hossain of COAST Trust spoke in the press conference moderated by Mustafa Kamal Akanda of COAST Trust.

In his speech, AHM Bazlur Rahman said the refugees have the right to work. "One million Rohingya refugees could be a large work force with their potential productivity.

But they are sitting idle that creates a risk to be involved in unexpected activities that can deteriorate the law and order situation," he said.

Khandakar Abdus Salam said there are two hundred thousand Rohingya families and every year there will be nearly 80 thousand new born babies. "How can we bear this extra burden of refugees?"

Neither Bangladesh government nor the Rohingya refugees are responsible for this situation, said Salam adding, "It is solely the Myanmar Junta who should be condemned by the International Criminal Court (ICC) and punished."

ASM Badrul Alam said there are 68 million refugees in the world right now. "We wonder what the governments of different countries doing for this."

He added UN Refugee Agency has launched a petition for the refugees and urged the governments must work together and do their fair share for the refugees.

Barkat Ullah Maruf said, "Refugees are not the problem, but the problem is the war and hatred that forced the people to leave their homes.

This is a crime against humanity as this has thrown the women and children to death."

Mustafa Kamal Akanda said, "we are thankful to the government for giving shelter, food and health services to the Rohingya refugees. Now it is time to do something for their safe and rightful repatriation."