Saudi urges govt to bring back 267 Rohingyas
Thursday, 26 July 2007
The Saudi government has asked Bangladesh to bring back 267 Rohingyas who had been arrested for travelling to the kingdom allegedly on forged Bangladeshi passports, reports bdndews24.com quoting an official Wednesday.
"The home ministry held a meeting on the issue with representatives of other related ministries," acting foreign secretary Touhid Hossain told the news agency by phone.
He said the meeting was held after the Saudi government had sent a letter to the foreign office here in this connection.
Officials said Bangladesh would ask its embassy in Saudi Arabia to verify the allegations against Rohingyas of using Bangladeshi travel documents.
"The government will bring the refugees back once it is convinced," an official said, asking not to be named.
"Bangladesh is sincere to keep up the image of Bangladeshis working over there," said the official, who attended the meeting at the home ministry. Saudi Arabia is home to about 1.6 million (16 lakh) workers.
Representatives of foreign, home, expatriates welfare and overseas employment and labour ministries joined the meeting.
Bangladesh saw a huge influx of Rohingyas who had fled a widespread repression in Myanmar.
"The home ministry held a meeting on the issue with representatives of other related ministries," acting foreign secretary Touhid Hossain told the news agency by phone.
He said the meeting was held after the Saudi government had sent a letter to the foreign office here in this connection.
Officials said Bangladesh would ask its embassy in Saudi Arabia to verify the allegations against Rohingyas of using Bangladeshi travel documents.
"The government will bring the refugees back once it is convinced," an official said, asking not to be named.
"Bangladesh is sincere to keep up the image of Bangladeshis working over there," said the official, who attended the meeting at the home ministry. Saudi Arabia is home to about 1.6 million (16 lakh) workers.
Representatives of foreign, home, expatriates welfare and overseas employment and labour ministries joined the meeting.
Bangladesh saw a huge influx of Rohingyas who had fled a widespread repression in Myanmar.