Doesn’t matter who’s in power, Rohingya repatriation agreement must be followed: foreign minister

Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen told The Daily Star today that the agreement on Rohingya repatriation was signed with the Myanmar state, and it doesn't matter who is in power, the agreement must be followed.

"You must remember that in the 1980s, '90s, the military was in power [in Myanmar], but we could repatriate Rohingyas," the minister said.

The minister claimed that Rohingya repatriation would not be affected due to the latest development in Myanmar.

Bangladesh expects peace, stability and democratic process will be upheld in Myanmar where the military has taken control of the country after detaining de-facto leader Aung San Suu Kyi and other politicians in the early hours today.

"Bangladesh firmly adheres to and promotes democratic ethos. We hope that the democratic process and constitutional arrangements will be upheld in Myanmar," said a statement of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs today.

"As an immediate and friendly neighbour, Dhaka would like to see peace and stability in Myanmar. We have been persistent in developing mutually beneficial relations with Myanmar and have been working with Myanmar for the voluntary, safe and sustained repatriation of the Rohingyas sheltered in Bangladesh. We expect these processes to continue in right earnest," the statement said.

The most crucial issue for Bangladesh is the repatriation of nearly a million Rohingya, who fled a military crackdown in Myanmar's Rakhine state in 2017. Myanmar also faces genocide case at the International Court of Justice.

Despite repeated attempts, the repatriation has not been possible, with the Rohingyas saying the conditions in Rakhine State were not conducive for return as there is no guarantee of citizenship, safety and basic rights.

Bangladesh has been trying in various ways to start the Rohingya repatriation, including by involving China and the international community.