Solution to Rohingya Crisis - Repatriation, not integration: Momen

Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen yesterday reiterated the government position against any long-term programme by the World Bank for the integration of Rohingyas into Bangladesh.

He said there might be some adjustments with the WB proposal with Bangladesh, giving priority to Rohingya repatriation.

"We've dropped all ideas (from the WB proposal) that do not match with our own philosophy, which is repatriation," the minister told reporters, adding that there will be an MoU if the WB agrees with the Bangladesh proposal.

The minister said the WB has taken a long-term programme for 16 countries, which are hosting refugees and they will provide money from a Tk 2,000 crore fund.

"Rohingyas are not refugees here. They're persecuted and displaced people... they're taking shelter here on a temporary basis," he said.

Earlier, the minister told the news agency that the government has taken a very strong stance against the idea floated by the WB that apparently suggests integration of Rohingyas into Bangladesh.

"We took a very strong stance. We didn't like it and we opposed it strongly. We conveyed it," he said.

The WB came up with a programme as part of its Refugee Policy Review Framework globally for refugee host countries through the Economic Relations Division (ERD).

The foreign minister said integration of Rohingyas in Bangladesh is not the solution but they will have a better future only when they are repatriated. "They should go back. That's the only way-out."

Momen said they might face some kind of pressure from the WB in terms of getting other loans but will remain stick to their position, giving priority to Rohingya repatriation.

He indicated that the UNHCR may also refer to it as a condition to go to Bhasan Char for resuming their operational activities.

The minister said the WB is saying effective steps should be taken to identify, prevent and mitigate social tensions and risk of violence between the displaced people and host community, building good relations with them and to employ them in local works.

He said they (WB) are saying Rohingyas should have the right to work and free mobility; and birth, marriage, divorce and death certificates should be issued for the Rohingyas like Bangladesh citizens. "Naturally, we don't accept those ideas. They (WB) are willing to give money for these if we integrate them."

As per the WB ideas shared with the ERD, the Rohingyas should have access to the local labour market, including business opportunities the same way Bangladesh nationals have with the same payment facilities.

On education for Rohingyas, there is a proposal to provide education in Bangla language so that they can be absorbed in the local market. However, Bangladesh wants education for Rohingyas in Myanmar language.

"Their (WB) programme is fully related to reintegration of these people with the host country. Naturally, we don't want it," said Momen. Bangladesh does not want anything that might lead to a possibility of Rohingyas' presence in Bangladesh for a longer period.

Bangladesh is hosting over 1.1 million Rohingyas in Cox's Bazar and Bhasan Char.