BIIS, Dhaka, 21/03/2010:

Bangladesh sought support of Japan for a peaceful solution of the protracted Rohingya crisis by safe return of Rohingyas to Myanmar. Bangladesh appreciated Japanese emergency assistance to support the displaced people of Rakhine State of Myanmar who took shelter in Bangladesh. Foreign Minister Mahmood Ali told this when visiting Japanese Parliamentary Vice-Minister of Foreign Affairs Iwao Horii met him today at Bangladesh Institute of International and Strategic Studies (BIISS).

Foreign Minister Mahmood Ali described historical background of the settlement of ethnic communities in Myanmar. He briefed the Vice-Minister of Japan about the bilateral instruments signed between Bangladesh and Myanmar to start the process of repatriation of the forcibly displaced Myanmar nationals. While the Japanese Vice-Minister emphasized on safe, secure and dignified return of the displaced people to Myanmar, Mahmood Ali mentioned that if there are no life & livelihood options for the Rohingyas to go back to Myanmar it would be difficult to implement the bilateral agreements. Foreign Minister suggested Japan may re-build the house in the Northern Rakhine State of Myanmar to facilitate the safe, secure and dignified return of the displaced people. Japanese Vice-Minister highly appreciated the generous support of the Government of Bangladesh for providing shelter to the Rohingyas in Bangladesh. Iwao Horii would visit Rohingya camps in Cox’s Bazar tomorrow. Later he would go to Myanmar to visit Rakhine State to observe the actual conditions on the ground.

Md. Tohidul Islam
Senior Information Officer
Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Mob: 01718543625
Email: islamtohidul76@gmail.com