Dhaka fears that Rohingya crisis can frustrate the hope for regional peace and stability if the issue is not resolved at the earliest.
“Our fear is that, if this problem is not resolved quickly, it may lead to pockets of radicalism and since terrorists have no borders, no faith, there’s a high possibility of uncertainty which may frustrate our hope for a peaceful, secure and stable region,” Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen said at the 27th ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) held virtually today.
He said Bangladesh sheltered some 1.1 million Rohingyas on humanitarian grounds despite the threat to the country’s economy, ecology and societal impacts, and is keen on solving the crisis through constructive diplomacy with good neighbourly spirit.
Bangladesh signed 3 instruments with Myanmar for repatriation of the Rohingyas considering it a friend and Myanmar also agreed to take them back and create a conducive environment for their voluntary repatriation, safety and security, the minister said.
“But unfortunately, none went back till now, and instead of creating a conducive environment, fighting and shelling is ongoing in the Rakhaine state.”
