Myanmar talks, does not act

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina yesterday said Myanmar agrees on all issues during dialogues over the return of displaced Rohingyas, but it finally does not act.

She made the remarks when Kerry Kennedy, president of Robert F Kennedy Human Rights, an advocacy organisation, met her at her office in the city.

Prime Minister's Press Secretary Ihsanul Karim briefed reporters after the meeting.

“We are having dialogues with Myanmar. We always want a peaceful solution to any problem. We had foreign minister-level and officer-level talks with Myanmar. Unfortunately, they do agree on all things; finally they don't act,” Ihsanul quoted the PM as saying.

Mentioning that some 1.1 million Rohingyas took shelter in Bangladesh, Hasina said it was a huge burden on the country.

She said local people cannot cultivate their land as the displaced Myanmar nationals kept their land occupied.

Locals voluntarily came forward to help the Rohingyas as they fled persecution in Rakhine and took shelter in Bangladesh, she added.

Hasina said the Rohingyas were provided with identity cards after completing biometric registration process. Bangladesh was now preparing a place in Bhashanchar for relocating Rohingyas from Cox's Bazar, she said.

Kerry Kennedy said she came to Bangladesh to see the plight of the forcibly displaced Rohingyas.

Noting that they also visited Rakhine, Kerry said infrastructures, including houses, have not been built yet in Rakhine for the return of Rohingyas.

She said the safety and security of Rohingyas were very important for their return to Myanmar. The international community would have to work for ensuring their protection and safety, she told the premier.

Kerry highly appreciated the social safety net programme and women empowerment of Bangladesh.

PM's daughter and eminent autism activist Saima Wazed Hossain, Principal Secretary to PM Nojibur Rahman and PMO Secretary Sajjadul Hassan were present.