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6 years ago

Myanmar army committed war crimes: US senators

A delegation of US Senators, led by Senator Jeff Markley, makes a courtesy call with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina at Ganabhaban in Dhaka on Sunday. -Focus Bangla Photo
A delegation of US Senators, led by Senator Jeff Markley, makes a courtesy call with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina at Ganabhaban in Dhaka on Sunday. -Focus Bangla Photo

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Visiting US senators described Myanmar army atrocities on Rohingya people in Muslim-majority Rakhaine State as war crimes.

They also termed such incidents in the state as basic violation of human rights.

A delegation of the US senators, led by Senator Jeff Markley, also assured Bangladesh of extending all-out US support to it in resolving the crisis.

The delegation gave the assurance during a meeting with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina at her official residence Ganabhaban in Dhaka on Sunday.

PM's Press Secretary Ihsanul Karim briefed reporters after the meeting.

The delegation said these atrocities are gross violation of basic human rights.

The US delegation highly appreciated the Prime Minister and the Bangladesh government about the matter.

"More international efforts are needed in this regard," they said.

The senators said the United States wants the Rohingya people to be repatriated to Myanmar and rehabilitated there safely.

In reply, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said her government gave shelter to the Rohingya people fully on humanitarian ground.

"We gave shelter to them recalling the similar situation of Bangladeshi refugees who had taken shelter in India during the Liberation War in 1971," the Prime Minister said.

Hasina mentioned that these refugees have reminded her refuge life after the brutal assassination of Father of the nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman in 1975.

She said the government is feeding 160 million people of the country and they will share their food with Rohingyas, if needed.

Terming Myanmar a next door neighbour, the Prime Minister said Myanmar should take their citizens back and ensure their security and rehabilitation.

She said international pressure should be mounted on Myanmar to implement the Kofi Annan Commission report.

The US senators highly praised the steady economic growth of Bangladesh.

The delegation members said it is a testimony of hardworking people of Bangladesh.

They also lauded the women empowerment in Bangladesh.

Turning to the global warming issue, the senators said Bangladesh is in the forefront of climate change issue globally.

PM's Adviser Dr Gowher Rizvi, Principal Secretary Dr Kamal Abdul Naser Chowdhury, Senator Richard Durban, Congressman David Cicilline, Congresswomen Betty McCollum, and Jan Schakowsky,US Ambassador to Bangladesh Marcia S Bericat were, among others, were present.

Later, another delegation of the United Kingdom, led by Sophie the Countess of Wessex, also met Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina at the same venue.

The delegation also put emphasis on the continuation of diplomatic efforts to stop the influx of Rohingya people to Bangladesh.

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