Dhaka Bureau: Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has reiterated the importance of ensuring the dignified return of forcibly displaced Rohingyas to their homeland, Myanmar. International Court of Justice (ICJ) Bangladesh climate change lawyer Dr. Payam Akhvan went to meet the Prime Minister at the Sangsad Bhavan office on Monday (March 4). He said that the forcibly displaced Rohingya must be ensured to return to their homeland with dignity.
Reiterating Bangladesh’s stand on not allowing anyone to use its territory for any form of insurgency, Sheikh Hasina said Bangladesh believes in this principle and will not allow anyone to do so in the future. At the end of the meeting, the Prime Minister’s speech writer, Nazrul Islam, gave this information to reporters.
Quoting the Prime Minister’s statement, he said that the repatriation of forcibly displaced Myanmar citizens (Rohingya) now seems to be complicated due to the internal conflict there (Myanmar).
Pointing out that the Rohingyas have now become a big burden for Bangladesh, the Prime Minister said that the local people of Cox’s Bazar have now become a minority due to the arrival of Myanmar citizens. They are harming our environment.
In order to prevent Rohingya youths from getting involved in any criminal activities, he said, the government has arranged better housing for one lakh Rohingyas on Bhasanchar Island, and so far, 35 thousand Rohingyas have been relocated there.
He noted that some Rohingya communities are already involved in criminal activities such as arms, women, and drug trafficking, which is a major concern for Bangladesh.
Sheikh Hasina to undertake assistance in preparing Bangladesh’s legal submission to the ICJ for an advisory opinion on the obligations of various states to ‘ensure protection of the climate system’. Payam thanked Akhvan.
Dr. Payam Akhvan told the Prime Minister that Bangladesh has now become a world leader in climate justice.
The Prime Minister said that Bangladesh has formed a Climate Trust Fund after COP-15 without relying on anyone.
He said Bangladesh has also taken various programs for adaptation and mitigation, especially green belt development for coastal zone protection.
The Chief Secretary to the Prime Minister, M. Tofajzel Hossain Mia, was present on the occasion.
