Govt couldn’t even send 10 Rohingyas back: BNP

BNP yesterday alleged that the government has had no diplomatic success in resolving the protracted Rohingya crisis, and repatriating the  displaced Myanmar nationals to their place of origin from Cox’s Bazar. 

“It has been two years since Rohingyas entered Bangladesh. But the Hasina-led government couldn’t even send 10 Rohingyas back. The current  regime couldn’t do anything to resolve the Rohingya crisis,” said BNP  senior joint secretary general Ruhul Kabir Rizvi.

Speaking at a programme at the party’s Nayapaltan central office, he  further said, “The government has failed to deliver on every front.” 

BNP’s Dhaka north city unit  arranged the programme to provide financial assistance to victims of the recent Mirpur slum fire.

Rizvi said the government could not initiate Rohingya repatriation  as it could not convince Myanmar to ensure the citizenship of Rohingyas  and their safe return.

“Our prime minister used to say we’ve given many things to a country. Did you get anything from them? No, you didn’t. It’s your  failure,” Rizvi said.

Bangladesh is hosting over 1.1 million Rohingyas, most of whom entered the country from Myanmar since August 25, 2017. The two countries signed a  repatriation deal on November 23, 2017, but there has been little  progress.

Despite all preparations, no Rohingya turned up on Thursday to  avail the “voluntary” repatriation offer given to them to go back to  their place of origin in Rakhine State of Myanmar, prompting the  authorities to suspend the repatriation process.

About the Mirpur slum fire, Rizvi said it was “torched” by ruling party  men in a planned way to grab the land -- displacing the poor.  “The slum dwellers were subjected to Awami League’s policy of elimination -- just like it is eliminating the opposition through repressive acts.”

He said people must unite and wage a movement against the government. “Or else, it will be  difficult to protect our existence, homes and children.”