Yunus launches 7-pt dos to resolve Rohingya crisis

Launching a 7-point proposal at an international conference for immediate safe repatriation of Rohingyas, Chief Adviser of the Interim Government Dr Muhammad Yunus also made an appeal for global action to stop their persecution in Myanmar.

Turning to governance transition on the domestic front, the head of post-uprising government told his audience that Bangladesh "is now ready for stable national elections".

He said an elected government would take responsibility in place of the interim government.

"We hope that we can find a solution for the Rohingyas to return to their homes," he said about the immediate task.

In his international call the Nobel laureate for peace said, "It is our moral responsibility to stop the armed killers from implementing their horrific plan of ethnic cleansing."

He was speaking on the second day of the international conference organised to find a solution to the prolonged Rohingya crisis Bangladesh is burdened with. As conference progressed at the 'Hotel Bay Watch' in Cox's Bazar on Monday, the refugee camps were resounded by demonstrations and slogans by the inmates for immediate and safe return home.

The Chief Adviser said, "Despite the limitations of resources and capabilities, Bangladesh opened its borders in 2017, and even before that, on humanitarian grounds to save the lives of the Rohingyas. The Myanmar government and the Arakan Army must ensure that no more Rohingyas enter Bangladesh."

The seven-point proposal given by the chief adviser is to ensure a "safe environment" for the Rohingya to return to their country, to establish a safe zone in Rakhine under the supervision of the UN and resettle the Rohingyas there.

Also is a recommendation for increasing international pressure on Myanmar for Rohingya return.

The other dos are to restore the civil rights of the Rohingyas in Myanmar, take effective measures to prevent new Rohingya infiltration, to take initiatives to resolve the Rohingya crisis in coordination with local administrations and international organisations, and to present these proposals at the UN high-level conference and find a solution.

The 3-day conference titled 'Take Away to the High-Level Conference on the Rohingya Situation' began Sunday at the sea-beach venue at Inani, Ukhia. The conference is jointly organised by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Office of the High Representative for Rohingya Issues.

On the first afternoon of the conference, Rohingya representatives directly exchanged views with foreign partners. Representatives from 40 countries attended. All stakeholders working on the Rohingya, including the United Nations, were present. They will find ways to repatriate the Rohingya to Myanmar from the three-day conference.

On the last day, Tuesday, foreign guests will visit the Rohingya camps. It is reported that in addition to Rohingya repatriation, the three-day conference will emphasize important issues such as international funds, genocide trials, food aid, and boosting the morale of the Rohingya.

In addition, the government will present the proposals and statements from the conference at the conference to be held at the United Nations on September 30.

Flushed-out minority people of Myanmar, who have taken shelter in various camps in Ukhia-Teknaf, Cox's Bazar, observed 'Rohingya Genocide Day' on the occasion of the eighth anniversary of their displacement from the country after being subjected to torture and genocide in Myanmar's Rakhine state.

On this occasion, the Rohingyas, calling the day a 'black day', held a rally on Monday morning demanding justice for the Rohingya genocide and full citizenship rights, and raising various demands, including dignified repatriation.

Separate rallies were staged in 10 camps in Cox's Bazar, demanding their return to Myanmar. Around 30,000 Rohingyas, including children, participated in the rallies in these camps. They expressed their desire to return to their homeland.

At the beginning, Maulvi Rohingya Rahmat Ullah narrated the torture in Myanmar through a tarana (song) in their own language and drew the attention of the world community to quickly return them to their homeland.

At the rally, Rohingya leader Md. Elias said, "August 25 is a day of unrest for the Rohingya. On this day in 2017, the Myanmar government committed genocide against the Rohingya in Rakhine. Not only that, but millions of Rohingya people were taken away from their homes and left the country. We want justice for that genocide.

Expressing gratitude to the Bangladesh government for sheltering 1.2 million Rohingya, Rohingya youth Syedur Amin said at the rally, "We are guests of this country. But the days have passed, not anymore. We should return to our homeland now. The time has come to make a decision in unity. If we go to another country instead of Myanmar, the Rohingya will not exist. Therefore, we want the world to support us in returning to our own country."

Meanwhile, at a rally in Ukhia camp, acting chairman of the Arakan Rohingya Society for Peace and Humanity Mohammad Jobayer said, "We want to build a safe country for the next generation. We have spent eight years as refugees in Bangladesh, we want to be free from this floating life. We want to return safely to a safe zone in our own country."

Incidentally, on August 25, 2017, the Myanmar army began indiscriminate killing and torture of Rohingyas in Maungdaw, Buchidong, and Rasedong districts of Rakhine State. At the time, there was a surge in Rohingya influx into Bangladesh.

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