Dhaka views UN resolution for Rohingyas a diplomatic success

Dhaka, Jan 4: Bangladesh has expressed happiness over the UN resolution on Rohingyas. The resolution was adopted at the 75th General Assembly on, Dec 31. The Foreign Minister of Bangladesh Dr A K Abdul Momen commented on the resolution on Jan 3 and said that Dhaka sees it as a diplomatic success. He also said that the Rohingya issue remains a big challenge for Bangladesh.

 

The resolution was tabled by the Organisation of Islamic Countries (OIC) and European Union (EU) and was passed with 132 countries voting in favor and 9 countries including Russia and China opposing it. Remaining 26 countries including India and Japan abstained from voting on the resolution. However, about the countries which abstained from voting Dr Momen said that Dhaka has no displeasure against these countries as it was their ‘strategic decision’.

 

 

The minister also acknowledged the possible fact that the countries which remained neutral on the resolution did it to use their leverage on Myanmar in order to find a solution to the issue. He shared that the Rohingya issue remains to be a big challenge for Bangladesh and that he hopes Myanmar to keep its word of creating positive conditions for the voluntary repatriation of Rohingyas to Rakhine province.

 

The resolution called for specific action on the part of Myanmar to address the root cause of the Rohingya crisis, including granting them citizenship and ensuring safe and sustainable return to their homes by creating a conducive environment. It also appreciated the govt of Bangladesh for the humanitarian act of providing shelter to the displaced Rohingyas. It called upon other countries to support Bangladesh in its humanitarian effort.

 

 

Currently, more than a million Rohingya are living in refugee camps in Bangladesh after fleeing the military crackdown in the Rakhine province of Myanmar in August 2017. Bangladesh and Myanmar had signed a repatriation deal in Nov 2017 followed by a physical agreement in Jan 2018 to facilitate the return of Rohingyas to the Rakhine province. However, there has been no progress in the repatriation of Rohingyas, despite of two failed attempts in the past.