Rohingya Issue
Int'l community lacks interest, response
NHRC seminar told
The international community is not as interested to protect the rights of Rohingyas as they are in the case of people in Iraq, Afghanistan, Pakistan, the Arabian Peninsula and African crescent, said speakers at a seminar yesterday.
So far the international community's support is limited to humanitarian assistance and resettlement of a small number of Rohingyas, they said.
The whole Asian region should provide assistance as the region's peace and tranquillity is affected by the Rohingya issue and Bangladesh and Myanmar can hardly resolve the issue on their own, they added.
National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) organised the seminar, “Journey towards a solution of Rohingya refugee crisis: A national consultation”, in collaboration with United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) at Dhaka University's senate building.
NHRC Chairman Mizanur Rahman said the Rohingya refugee crisis should be given due importance considering related facts.
“NHRC is conducting a research on unregistered Rohingyas in Bangladesh. We are also communicating with Myanmar's human rights commission. We hope to find a solution by working together,” he added.
Prof Md Zakir Hossain of Chittagong University suggested immediately convening an international summit among neighbouring Asian countries, including China, the donor community, Myanmar's opposition parties and representatives of Rohingya Muslims and Rakhaine Buddhists.
Dhaka Metropolitan Police Commissioner Benazir Ahmed said Rohingya refugees were adversely affecting the law and order situation by involving in illegal drug trade, prostitution, human trafficking and counterfeit passport production.
Pakistan, Afghanistan and Kashmir-based international militant outfits are active in areas populated by Rohingyas while police also found Al-Qaeda's links with Rohingyas, he said.
UNHCR Country Representative Craig Sanders said, “All criminal activities in Cox's Bazar and Bandarban are not carried out by Rohingyas.
“We should keep in mind that the Rohingya people are not a cancer. They are human beings and productive elements.”
Bangladeshis can understand the situation the Rohingyas are in as they had that experience during the 1971 Liberation War, he said.
Former ambassador Ashfaqur Rahman, Information Commissioner Prof Sadeka Halim, Home Ministry Additional Secretary (political) Kamal Uddin Ahmed and NHRC Full Time Member Kazi Reazul Hoque also spoke on the occasion.
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