'US to continue urging Myanmar for safe return of Rohingyas'

US principal deputy assistant secretary for the Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs Alice Wells on Monday said her government will continue their call on Myanmar to create necessary conditions for Rohingyas’ voluntary return to their homely with safety and dignity.

Alice Wells, who came to visit Bangladesh on Saturday, said this at a press conference at Radisson Water Garden Hotel in the city, according to UNB.

While briefing journalists, she said, "Towards that end, we continue to urge the government to fully implement the Anan Commission recommendations, including recommendations related to access to citizenship and freedom of movement and we offer our help in doing so. We also continue to call for accountability for those responsible for the violence in the Burmese security forces."

Besides, she also urged the Bangladesh government to protect fundamental civil liberties--especially freedom of speech and press--and fulfil its commitment to hold free, fair, credible and participatory elections that reflect the will of the Bangladeshi people.

"With a dynamic and fast-growing economy, Bangladesh's future success will be fuelled by a strengthening of its democratic institutions and governing structures. That is why, as I conveyed in my meetings, we continue to call on the Government of Bangladesh to protect fundamental civil liberties-especially freedom of speech and press-and fulfil its commitment to hold free, fair, credible and participatory elections that reflect the will of the Bangladeshi people," she said.

US Ambassador in Dhaka Marcia Bernicat was also present at the press briefing.

Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for the Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs Alice Wells also visited Rohingya camps in Cox's Bazar on Monday before briefing journalists at the press conference.

She met Rohingyas in camps which are sheltering nearly one million Rohingya, most of whom fled from Myanmar in the wake of ethnic cleansing perpetrated by the Myanmar Military in Rakhine State.

She also met with senior officials from the Government of Bangladesh and discussed strengthening the US-Bangladesh partnership and collaboration on building a prosperous, secure, and interconnected Indo-Pacific region.

Throughout her trip, she expressed appreciation for Bangladesh's continued generosity in responding to the refugee crisis and support for the upcoming elections.