Dhaka:Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed has reaffirmed Bangladesh's commitment to ensuring the safe, voluntary, dignified, and sustainable repatriation of Rohingya refugees to Myanmar.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the Home Minister emphasized the need for coordinated regional and international diplomatic efforts to facilitate the return of the Rohingyas. Speaking at a seminar organized by the Foundation for Strategic and Development Studies at Radisson Blu Water Garden in Dhaka, he highlighted that Bangladesh's unilateral efforts would not suffice and stressed the importance of forming a strategic regional alliance. The seminar, chaired by FSDS Chairman Major General (retd) Fazle Elahi Akbar, was attended by notable figures including Md. Ismail Zabiullah, Adviser to the Prime Minister.
Ahmed noted that the Prime Minister's upcoming visit to Japan would include discussions aimed at accelerating the repatriation process. He also pointed out the significant control of the Arakan Army in Myanmar's Rakhine State and mentioned Bangladesh's exploration of solutions through diplomatic channels. He affirmed that peaceful repatriation remains Bangladesh's principal objective, advocating for continued diplomatic dialogue.
Md. Ismail Zabiullah, speaking as the special guest, highlighted the Rohingya crisis as a complex issue tied to national, regional, and international stability. He stressed the need for Bangladesh to move towards strategic diplomacy and sustainable repatriation while protecting the Rohingyas' humanitarian rights and ensuring their security.
After the seminar, the Home Minister expressed optimism about Bangladesh's enhanced capacity to address the repatriation issue internationally, especially with Bangladesh's representative serving as President of the United Nations General Assembly. He anticipated that discussions with international partners, including key countries like China, Japan, India, the United States, and the European Union, would help pave a way for swift and sustainable repatriation. The seminar was attended by diplomats, international organization representatives, retired military officers, and media personnel.