JS body for diplomatic efforts in convincing Russia, China

A parliamentary body today recommended for taking robust diplomatic efforts in convincing Russia and China to put a peaceful and dignified end to the Rohingya crisis.

The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Ministry of Foreign Affairs also stressed the need for ensuring overall security to the Rohingya people and their immediate safe repatriation to their homeland in Rakhine State of Myanmar.

The parliamentary body came up with the recommendations after a meeting at the parliament complex in Dhaka this afternoon, said a press statement.

In the press statement, the committee also drew the attention of the Civil Aviation and Tourism Ministry extend and modernise the Cox's Bazar Airport as representatives from different countries are now visiting the Rohingya refugee camps in the area.

The government-initiated efforts in repatriating the Rohingyas were also discussed in the meeting, sources said.

A list of around 8.32 thousand Rohingyas was handed over to the home ministry of Myanmar authority on February 16 for its verification.

Of them, only 1.45 thousand Rohingya people have so far been verified by the Myanmar authority, the source added.

Around 700,000 Rohingya Muslims fled to southeast Bangladesh in the past nine months since August 25 last year as they were violently expelled from Myanmar in the face of ethnic cleansing.