Int'l delegation to asses Myanmar's preparation for Rohingya repatriation: Minister

Myanmar is going host an international delegation in the Northern Rakhine State to show the preparation taken by them for the repatriation of Rohingyas, Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen has said. 

The delegation, which includes envoys from different counties, will assess whether the right condition for repatriation exists or not, the minister said while talking to media after a seminar held in the city on Wednesday. 

Responding to a question regarding the international media report that Mayanmar government  has built infrastructure in the 40 per cent of the Rohingya dominated area in Rakhine, the foreign minister said he did not receive such information from the official source. 

Dr Momen also strongly protested Myanmar’s claim that it was Bangladesh which failed to repatriate the Rohingyas. 

“Rohingyas are their people, and they have to take them back. It's their responsibility," he said. 

The last attempt to repatriate Rohingya people failed as Myanmar had failed to convince them to go back to their homeland in Rakhine State, the minister pointed out. 

 “They have to convicne their people. It's their responsibility, not ours,” he added. 

Replying to a question, the minister said Bangladesh cannot force Rohngyas to go back to their country as it has signed an agreement with Myanmar for voluntary repatriation. 

“We cannot send them by force. We want voluntary repatriation," he said.  

However, the foreign minister argued that Rohingyas should not wait for facilities for going back to their country. 

Replying to a question, the minister said relocating Rohingyas to Bhasanchar is a temporary solution to the problem. 

“We want permanent solution, and that is sending them back to their homeland in Myanmar,” said the foreign minister. 

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