War crimes committed against Rohingyas

Describing Myanmar army's atrocities on Rohingya people in Rakhaine State as “war crime” and “basic violation of human rights”, the visiting US senators have assured Bangladesh of extending all-out support to resolve the crisis.

The assurance came when a delegation of the US Senate, led by Senator Jeff Markley, met Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina at the Gono Bhaban yesterday.

After the meeting, PM's Press Secretary Ihsanul Karim briefed reporters.

The delegation, which visited the Rohingya camps in Cox's Bazar on Saturday, condemned the "war crimes and ethnic cleansing".

The US delegation lauded the prime minister and Bangladesh for accepting the huge number of forcibly evicted Myanmar people and giving them food and shelter, saying more international efforts were needed in this regard.

The delegation members said they talked to the victims and listened to their horrific stories when they visited the Rohingya camps.

The senators said the US wants the Rohingya people to be repatriated to Myanmar and rehabilitated there safely.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said her government gave shelter to the Rohingya people fully on humanitarian ground recalling the similar situation of Bangladeshi refugees who had taken shelter in India during the Liberation War in 1971.

Hasina mentioned that these refugees have reminded her refuge life after the brutal assassination of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman in 1975.

She said the government is feeding 160 million people of the country and they will share their food with the Rohingyas, if needed.

The prime minister said Myanmar should take their citizens back and ensure their security and rehabilitation.

She said international pressure should be mounted on Myanmar to implement the Kofi Annan Commission's recommendations.

Referring to the upcoming winter, Hasina said it would be a big challenge for Bangladesh to manage the situation at the camps.

She said the Rohingyas were in a very dismal state and that she had directed the authorities concerned to keep vigil so that no vested quarter could hire them taking advantage of their frustrations.

Hasina told the delegation Bangladesh government has already prepared biometric database of over 5 lakh Rohingyas.

The delegation also appreciated the steady economic growth of Bangladesh, saying it is a testimony of hardworking people of Bangladesh and lauded the women empowerment in Bangladesh.

PM's Adviser Gowher Rizvi, Principal Secretary Kamal Abdul Naser Chowdhury, Senator Richard Durban, Congressman David Cicilline, Congresswomen Betty McCollum, and Jan Schakowsky, US Ambassador to Bangladesh Marcia S Bernicat, among others, were present.

Later, another delegation of the UK, led by Sophie the Countess of Wessex, met Hasina.

After the meeting, the press secretary said the delegation put emphasis on the continuation of diplomatic efforts to stop the influx of Rohingyas.

The UK also wants Rohingyas return to their country.

Hasina said the entire administration, including the police, BGB, the Army and Navy, volunteers were working round the clock to mitigate the sufferings of the Rohingyas.

She also thanked the British government for its assistance to the Rohingyas.

The US Senate delegation also met with Foreign Minister AH Mahmood Ali at a city hotel on Saturday.

Senator Jeff Markley told the minister that they were looking forward to the successful repatriation of the Rohingyas to Myanmar, says a foreign ministry press release.

Mahmood Ali deeply appreciated their visit to Cox's Bazar and apprised that he hopes to sign an agreement on repatriation of Rohingyas during his forthcoming visit to Myanmar.