Bangladesh facing multidimensional crisis for Rohingyas: CPD

Dr Debapriya Bhattacharya, distinguished Fellow of Center for Policy Dialogue (CPD), today said that Bangladesh plunged into multidimensional problems for Rohingya crisis affecting its economy and employment.

Terming Rohingya crisis as a global problem, Dr Debapriya Bhattacharya said alongside the relief assistance to the Rohingya people, a coordinated and specific international diplomatic pressure should be exerted on Myanmar to ensure quick repatriation of the Rohingyas.

He also laid emphasis on permanently resolving the Rohingya crisis which is a pressing issue for Bangladesh.

He said this in a civic dialogue on "Economic Implications of the Rohingya Crisis for Bangladesh and National Budget FY 2019" held at city hotel this afternoon.

Center for Policy Dialogue (CPD), Sacheton Nagarik Committee (SNC) and Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) jointly organized the dialogue.

CPD, executive director Dr Fahmida Khatun presented the key note speech in the dialogue.

"The steps taken by Bangladesh regarding the Rohingya crisis are being praised at national and international levels," Dr Debapriya Bhattacharya said.

He demanded of the government to allocate temporary fund in upcoming budget to fulfil their emergency need including food, security and health.

Participating in the dialogue Alamgir Mohammad Siraj Uddin, former Vice Chancellor of Chattogram University, said that the repatriation plan and process have raised concerns among the Rohingya in Cox's Bazar, the diplomatic circles and human rights groups as Mayanmer has been procrastinating the process.

He said the repatriation initiative is widely viewed as premature and too risky as people are still crossing the border into Bangladesh.

Prof. Dr Pravat Chandra Barua, vice-chancellor of University of Science and Technology, Chattogram (USTC) said that the Rohingya crisis may be seen as a challenge for stability and communal harmony in the region.

CPD executive director Dr Fahmida Khatun in her key note speech said Bangladesh has set a unique example in the global history by sheltering the Rohingyas on the humanitarian ground.

She said the government must take steps to check drug peddling in and around thousands of makeshift Rohingya camps.

Major (Rtd) Emdadul Hoque, Advocate Akhter Kabir Chowdhury, president TIB, SNC in

Chattogram city, representatives from different national and International NGOs, educationists, political and human right activists also took part in the dialogue.