Continue pressure on Myanmar for safe Rohingya repatriation

Bangladesh has reiterated its call for sustained international pressure on Myanmar for safe and dignified repatriation of Rohingya refugees who took shelter in Bangladesh to flee persecution in their home country.

Syed Muazzem Ali, Bangladesh high commissioner to India, made the call yesterday in a briefing arranged for over 60 diplomats representing their New Delhi-based missions.

"A continued and sustained international pressure on Myanmar would be a catalyst for a long-term solution" to one of the worst humanitarian crises that was created by Myanmar and forced Bangladesh to bear its brunt, said Muazzem.

The briefing session was held to update the diplomats on latest developments regarding the Rohingya crisis and to seek support for the OIC and EU resolution entitled "Human Rights Situation in Myanmar", at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) Third Committee.

The resolution, already co-sponsored by 99 countries, will be considered by the Third Committee on November 15, said a press release of Bangladesh High Commission in New Delhi, India.

Referring to the influx of over 700,000 Rohingyas since August 25 in 2017, the high commissioner said Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina welcomed the persecuted men, women and children into Bangladesh considering humanitarian aspects.

It is now time for the refugees to return to their homes under a continued and sustainable repatriation programme, he said, adding that a permanent solution to the crisis lies in the implementation of the three-point solution proposed by Sheikh Hasina at the last UNGA session.

The essence of the three points is that Myanmar must end discriminatory laws, policies and practices against the minority group, create a conducive environment through building trust and protection of rights, and end atrocious crimes against the Rohingyas.

$12M ANNOUNCED FOR CHILDREN'S EDUCATION

Education Cannot Wait (ECW) yesterday announced to allocate US $12 million to support 88,500 children and adolescents in Rohingya camps and the host community in Cox's Bazar.

The fund will be allocated to Unicef, Unesco and UNHCR.

The announcement was made from an ECW supported learning centre in the Rohingya refugee camp in Cox's Bazar.

Over 2,000 teachers will benefit from professional development programmes through the grant that will ensure quality education, safe learning environment, and psychosocial support for children and youth.

The programme will focus on training female teachers and meeting specific needs of children and adolescents with disabilities and measures to address gender-based violence.

ECW earlier donated US $3 million to establish emergency education services in Rohingya camps, according to a joint UN media release.

The additional cost to conduct education programmes in the area in 2019 is estimated at around US $60 million, and the ECW is calling upon other donors and partners to step up their efforts and provide further financing to fill the gap.

"ECW's support will enable us to enhance the quality of the education delivered. We will train more teachers with an improved syllabus and learning materials...," said Beatrice Kaldun, Unesco representative in Bangladesh.