Myanmar must solve Rohingya crisis, ensure safe, dignified repatriation: Law Minister

Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Md Asaduzzaman on Monday stated that the Rohingya crisis originated in Myanmar, and therefore, Myanmar itself must resolve the issue with the active involvement of the international community.

He made these observations while speaking as the chief guest at a national policy dialogue titled "Sustainable Approaches to Resolving the Rohingya Crisis: Framework of National Strategy and Foreign Contribution", at the CIRDAP Auditorium in the capital.

The Law Minister emphasised that the human rights and civil rights of the displaced Rohingyas remain a primary consideration for Bangladesh. He noted that while the Rohingya issue is a humanitarian matter for Bangladesh on one hand, it is also deeply tied to the country's national security concerns on the other.

Recalling discussions with the international community during the United Nations General Assembly session, Md Asaduzzaman reiterated that repatriation cannot simply be a matter of forcibly sending back the Rohingyas or imposing a solution internationally.

He stressed that when a Rohingya returns to their homeland, their safety must be guaranteed, and their citizenship, human rights, dignity, and right to education must be secured, with international bodies actively engaged in ensuring this process.

Highlighting government initiatives, the Law Minister informed that a national committee headed by the Prime Minister is overseeing measures to resolve the crisis.

He stated that the government is following the framework established by the past administrations of Begum Khaleda Zia and Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman, expressing confidence that pursuing this path will bring the Rohingya issue to a logical and fair conclusion.

Moderated by Dr Shakil Ahmed, Executive Director of the Neeti Gobeshona Kendro, the keynote paper at the dialogue was presented by former Ambassador and member of the UN Human Rights Council Advisory Committee Mohammad Sufiur Rahman.