Qatar can play key role in urging OIC to push Rohingya repatriation, says CA Yunus

Chief Advisor Muhammad Yunus has urged Qatar to take a strong role in repatriating Myanmar’s forcibly displaced Rohingya people who are taking refuge in Bangladesh.

Qatar could use its diplomatic influence to activate the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) to tackle the crisis, according to Yunus.

“In the current international geopolitical and geostrategic context, Qatar can play a leading role in resolving the Rohingya repatriation crisis by strongly expressing its solidarity. Qatar can ensure the active participation of OIC countries, strengthen fundraising and create pressure on the international community to express its support for the repatriation of the Rohingya.”

The chief advisor expressed his views at a roundtable meeting on the second day of the Earthna Summit in Qatar’s Doha on Wednesday, reports bdnews24.com.

The roundtable discussion, titled “Social and Environmental Challenges of Forcibly Displaced People – Rohingya Issue” was attended by the chief avisor, along with Foreign Affairs Advisor Md Touhid Hossain, Energy Advisor Muhammad Fouzul Kabir Khan, National Security Advisor Khalilur Rahman, and Principal Coordinator for SDGs in the Chief Advisor’s Office Lamia Morshed.

Noting the “massive challenge” created by the prolonged stay of the Rohingya in Bangladesh, the chief advisor said: “The increase in criminal activities in the camps and the attempts at illegal migration are clear signs of the frustration of the Rohingya.”

Yunus expressed concern that if this problem persists, it could affect the security and stability of the entire region and could also threaten development initiatives.

He also expressed regret that international attention was gradually “shifting” away from the Rohingya crisis due to various problems across the globe.

Highlighting the number of Rohingya residing in Bangladesh, Yunus said: “Out of the list of 829,036 people submitted by the Bangladesh government as of Mar 19 this year, the Myanmar government has verified 239,056 people and out of them, 176,198 people have been identified as ‘persons residing in Myanmar.’”

He said that Bangladesh is “working with international and regional partners” to resolve the Rohingya crisis through sustainable repatriation.

The chief advisor said that a high-level conference on the situation of Rohingya Muslims and other minorities in Myanmar will be organised in New York in September this year under the auspices of the United Nations. Bangladesh expects high-level political participation and cooperation from Qatar.

Yunus thanked the Qatar Foundation for organising the meeting and for going beyond policy statements to spread the message of practical solutions, accountability and solidarity.

He said that Bangladesh is only sheltering this large population on humanitarian grounds and believes that sustainable repatriation is the only solution to the current crisis.

Stressing the importance of justice and accountability, the chief advisor said that the ongoing initiatives of the International Court of Justice (ICJ), the International Criminal Court (ICC) and the Independent Investigation Mission for Myanmar (IIMM) regarding the atrocities committed against the Rohingya are very important.

“As a member state of the United Nations and the Rome Statute, Bangladesh firmly believes that crimes such as genocide and crimes against humanity should not go unpunished. Bangladesh considers sustainable repatriation as the only solution to the current crisis,” he said.

Urging the world to “come forward” to work for humanity, stability and justice, Yunus said: “Let us ensure that today’s discussions are not just formalities but the beginning of a meaningful partnership that places the Rohingya crisis at the top of our shared humanitarian priorities and works together towards a lasting solution.”