Exert pressure for early repatriation of Rohingyas: PM

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today urged the Commonwealth countries to exert pressure on the Myanmar government to stop persecution on its Rohingya citizens and take them back from Bangladesh at the earliest.

The Prime Minister said this while inaugurating 63rd Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference (CPC) at a function at South Plaza of the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban here today.

Sheikh Hasina said Bangladesh has given temporary shelter to huge number of Rohingyas on humanitarian ground. Her government is maintaining relations with foreign countries on the policy 'friendship to all, malice to none'.

Especially, her government is eager to maintain good relations with neighbors, Sheikh Hasina said adding that her government has resolved many outstanding issues with India and Myanmar.

"But inhuman persecution meted out on the Rohingya population in the Rakhaine state of Myanmar and their forceful expulsion from their homeland have created instability in the region and beyond," she said.

"I would like to request you all to discuss the Rohingya issue with utmost importance and exert pressure on the Myanmar government to stop persecution on its citizens and take them back at the earliest," Sheikh Hasina said.

Over 6.22 hundred thousand Myanmar nationals have fled to Bangladesh to escape persecution. After 1978, another five hundred thousands of Rohingyas came to Bangladesh at different times, she added.

Reiterating her call to Commonwealth countries to be united to get rid of militancy and terrorism the Prime Minister said thoughtless acts of a section of people are claiming innocent lives. Recent terror attack in New York claimed eight precious lives. Militancy is not a problem of a particular country, rather it became a global phenomenon, she said.

Chairperson of CPA and Speaker of Jayita Sangsad of Bangladesh Dr Shirin Sharmin Choudhury gave welcome address while Secretary-General of the CPA Akbar Khan, Commonwealth youth representative Aiman Sadique and treasurer of CPA Vicki Dunn spoke, among others, on the occasion.

Messages of Queen Elizabeth (II) and Secretary General of the Commonwealth Secretariat Patricia Scotland were read out on the occasion.

The magnificent inauguration of the 63rd CPA Conference was marked by presentation of a number of documentaries on Bangladesh's history, nature and livelihood of the people as well as brilliant performances of artistes of Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy and dance troupe 'Nrithanchan'.