Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Wednesday said his government is pursuing vigorous diplomatic efforts at the bilateral, regional and multilateral levels to secure an early and peaceful resolution to the Rohingya crisis.
"The BNP government is carrying out strong diplomatic efforts on all bilateral, regional and multilateral fronts to resolve the Rohingya crisis at the earliest," he said while responding to a starred question from Sirajganj-1 lawmaker Md Salim Reza during the question-and-answer session in parliament.
He also reiterated his government’s commitment to the safe, voluntary and sustainable repatriation of the displaced people to Myanmar.
The prime minister said the government remains firmly committed to a peaceful and speedy solution to the Rohingya crisis.
Recalling the role of former BNP governments, the PM said the governments led by former President Ziaur Rahman in 1978 and former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia in 1992 successfully resolved earlier Rohingya crises through effective diplomatic initiatives, enabling displaced Rohingyas to return home within a short time.
"We are following the same policy to find a sustainable, peaceful and swift solution," he said.
The prime minister said the government is working actively to keep the Rohingya crisis at the center of the global humanitarian agenda through regular engagement with the United Nations, foreign governments and international donor agencies.
He said soon after the current government assumed office, high-level delegations from UNHCR, UN Women and the World Food Program visited the Rohingya camps in Cox's Bazar and discussed ways to strengthen humanitarian assistance.
He also referred to the recent visit of the Turkish foreign minister to Bangladesh, including a visit to the Rohingya camps, expressing hope that it would lead to increased humanitarian support from Türkiye.
He said Bangladesh also supported last September's high-level UN conference aimed at accelerating the safe repatriation of displaced Rohingyas and would continue efforts to mobilize international opinion through similar global initiatives.
The prime minister said Bangladesh continues its moral support for the case filed by The Gambia at the International Court of Justice, stressing the importance of justice and accountability in addressing the root causes of the crisis.
He reiterated that the only durable solution lies in Myanmar's Rakhine State and said Bangladesh has stepped up diplomatic efforts to increase international pressure on Myanmar to create conditions for the safe, voluntary and sustainable return of the Rohingyas.
The prime minister said the government is maintaining contacts not only with Myanmar's military authorities but also with all relevant parties to facilitate repatriation.
Confidence-building measures and the verification of Rohingya identities are also continuing, alongside third-country resettlement efforts.
Describing the crisis as a complex and sensitive international issue, he said its resolution depends largely on the security situation in Rakhine, international pressure and the willingness of the Myanmar authorities.
He also stressed the importance of creating a platform for dialogue between the Myanmar government and the Arakan Army to help restore stability in Rakhine.
On the domestic front, the prime minister said the government has adopted practical and coordinated measures to maintain security in the Rohingya camps, preserve harmony with host communities and improve humanitarian assistance.
He said a high-level national committee, led by the home minister, is actively coordinating law enforcement and management of the camps, while a National Task Force comprising relevant ministries, the United Nations and other stakeholders is overseeing humanitarian operations and efforts to accelerate repatriation.
The prime minister said the government remains committed to ensuring the dignified return of the forcibly displaced Rohingyas through a realistic and lasting solution.
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