Cosmos Dialogue: World Must Remain Unflagging In Its Efforts To Address Rohingya Crisis

Dhaka now in offensive diplomacy, not defensive: FS

Courier Report

Though Bangladesh and Myanmar have agreed to form a working group to start repatriation process of Rohingyas living in Bangladesh there are some issues that require wider discussions. The root cause of the problem lies with Myanmar and the solution to the crisis also lies there.

It will be difficult to find a meaningful and lasting solution to the Rohingya crisis without involvement and monitoring by the international community especially without UN Security Council given the previous experience with Myanmar.

Cosmos Foundation arranged a dialogue titled ‘Domestic, Regional and International Dimensions of the Rohingya Issue: Dealing with a Man-made Crisis’ in a city hotel on Saturday that highlighted the issue and offer some solutions to the crisis.

We say the conditions for the safe, voluntary and dignified return of those who have fled their homeland must be put in place.

The Myanmar government must intensify efforts to ensure full, safe and unconditional access to Rakhine State for humanitarian assistance without delay.

The authorities in Myanmar need to take forward swiftly full implementation of the recommendations of the Advisory Commission, including citizenship for the Rohingya population.

Those most closely involved - and the wider international community - must remain unflagging in their efforts to address this crisis and the human suffering it is inflicting.

Foreign Secretary M Shahidul Haque said the Rohingya crisis might become a security issue in the region and Bangladesh is now in offensive mood diplomatically engaging internationally to find a peaceful solution to the problem as early as possible.

“We’ll continue to build pressure (on Myanmar). We’re going everywhere. We’re going to all countries (you mentioned),” he stated at the dialogue on Rohingya issue mentioning that Bangladesh is no way in defensive mood diplomatically.