Taking route of talks instead of provocation: FM

Foreign Minister (FM) Hasan Mahmud on Sunday said Bangladesh has been following the path of "negotiations" through diplomatic channels avoiding provocations from Myanmar and other international actors, reports UNB.

"There were provocations from Myanmar and other international actors. We did not step into those provocations. Rather, we have taken the path of negotiations. We are following the diplomatic path to seek a solution to the crisis and repatriation is the only solution," he said while speaking as the chief guest at a discussion at Jatiya Press Club in the city.

Overseas Correspondents Association Bangladesh (OCAB) hosted the discussion titled "Rohingya Crisis: The Future Road Ahead" marking its 45th founding anniversary.

Former State Minister for Foreign Affairs and member of parliamentary standing committee on foreign affairs Md. Shahriar Alam spoke as the special guest where former OCAB President and UNB Editor Farid Hossain delivered a keynote speech.

Editor of Daily Observer Iqbal Sobhan Chowdhury, former JPC president Shawkat Mahmud, BSS Managing Editor Anisur Rahman, Dhaka University's International Relations Department Prof Dr Delwar Hossain, associate professor of Peace and Conflict Studies Dr Md Touhidul Islam, OCAB General Secretary Julhas Alam, Dhaka Reporters Unity (DRU) President Syed Shukur Ali Shuvo and Diplomatic Correspondents Association, Bangladesh (DCAB) President Nurul Islam Hasib, among others, spoke at the discussion chaired by OCAB President Nazrul Islam.

The foreign minister said the remaining Rohingyas in Myanmar are feeling encouraged to come to Bangladesh hearing that there are few opportunities for third country resettlement.

Hasan said though such third country resettlement is very few in number but it becomes "counterproductive" as such a message goes to the Rohingyas in Myanmar.

In 2019, Gambia, with the backing of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), filed a case against Myanmar at the International Court of Justice (ICJ), accusing them of violating the Genocide Convention.