Future action plans to be placed in UNGA: PM

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today told Parliament that Bangladesh will place its proposals on future action plans including progress review over the Rohingya crisis in different multilateral meetings during the 73rd United Nations General Assembly.

“We’ll place proposals on future action plans including progress review over the issue (Rohingya) in different multilateral meetings during the upcoming 73rd United Nations General Assembly,” she said in reply to a starred question from Jatiya Party MP Nurul Islam Milon from Cumilla-8.

Besides, the premier said that Bangladesh will have talks over the issue with different important world leaders in the sideline meetings of the UNGA. 

PM Hasina said she placed a five-point proposal in the 72nd UNGA for resolving the Rohingya problem immediately after the atrocities against Rohingyas began on August 25, 2017. “The international community accepted my proposals cordially,” she said.

Mentioning that Bangladesh provided shelter to 1.1 million Rohingyas, she said, “Their stay in Bangladesh has created risk of human trafficking, drug smuggling and other orchestrated crimes.”

The displaced Rohingyas have created a huge negative impact on local communities and ecology in Cox’s Bazar, she said, adding that the risk of environmental disaster has emerged due to deforestation in the reserved land and cutting hills massively.

Besides, the possibility of break out of diphtheria, polio and HIV (Aids) and other communicable diseases have also emerged, she said.

Hasina said Bangladesh allowed the influx of forcibly displaced Rohingyas by keeping the border open as a response to the unprecedented humanitarian crisis.

She, however, said, “There is no scope for a long-term stay of Rohingyas in Bangladesh. We want to repatriate them within quickest time.”

Hasina, also the leader of the House, said the safe, respectful and sustainable repatriation of Rohingyas to their homeland will be possible as a result of the Awami League government’s diplomatic efforts.

Source: thedailystar