Bangladesh against forced Rohingya repatriation: Dipu Moni

Diplomatic Correspondent

Foreign Minister Dipu Moni yesterday said, as a principled position, Bangladesh had never pursued forced repatriation of refugees.

Bangladesh has been working accordingly with the UNHCR in voluntary repatriation of the 'Rohingya' refugees through diplomatic negotiations with Myanmar, she told Assistant High Commissioner for Refugees Janet Lim at the foreign ministry.

Dipu Moni told the UNHCR official that currently 25,045 registered refugees are residing in two camps at Kutupalong and Noyapara awaiting repatriation back to Myanmar. Of them, around 9,000 have been cleared by the Myanmar government in 2005.

She said the Prime Minister would pay an official visit to Myanmar in December, to unlock the stalemate regarding the longstanding issue of repatriation of Myanmar refugees.

Earlier, Deputy Director General (Operations) of Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) Manoj Juneja called on Dipu Moni. The minister underlined the need for effective research in crop varieties so that the impact of climate change on vulnerable communities could be reduced.

Newly appointed Spanish Ambassador to Bangladesh Luic Tejada Chacon also met with the foreign minister to discuss bilateral issues of common interest.

Source: The Daily Star, Bangladesh