Long march for Rohingyas’ safe return

Ideal Citizen Movement (ICM), a non-political organisation, today began a long march from Dhaka towards Cox's Bazar demanding safe and dignified return of Rohingya refugees to their homeland in Myanmar.

The long march started from in front of the National Press Club in Dhaka towards Teknaf in Cox's Bazar around 12 noon.

They held a rally there before starting the long march where speakers called upon the Myanmar authorities to give citizenship to the Rohingyas and urged the international organisations including United Nations to intervene in ensuring safe repatriation of the Rohingyas.

The speakers also criticised the role of China, Russia and India for not taking steps to resolve the Rohingya issue.

Expressing solidarity with the programme, Dr Zafrullah Chowdhury, founder of Gono Shasthya Kendra, said Bangladesh government executed some responsibilities by giving the Rohingyas shelter on humanitarian ground but there are more things to be done in this regard.

He urged Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to visit the OIC member countries to launch diplomatic initiatives in resolving the Rohingya issue.

Expressing concern over the government's bilateral agreement with Myanmar on Rohingya repatriation, Md Mahmudul Hasan, founder of ICM, said it is not clear that how many Rohingyas would be taken back and unless there is any pressure from the world leaders, Myanmar may not take them back at all.