Rohingya child born in Bangladesh: What will be the identity?

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Zakia Ahmed
Published : 19:17, Sep 26, 2017 | Updated : 19:42, Sep 26, 2017

A Rohingya child in the lap of its Sister (File Photo)No decision yet for the citizenship of the Rohingya children born in Bangladesh. However, immigration experts say, Rohingya children born in Bangladesh cannot be called Bangladeshis. And government officials say, ‘The matter will be fix according to the government's policy on Rohingya.’

Civil Surgeon of Cox's Bazar, Sheikh Abdus Salam told the Bangla Tribune, ‘The number of pregnant Rohingya women is about 16 thousand. 210 women have given birth by the September 22 last.

Rohingya Children (Photo Amanur Rahman Rony)Immigration and refugee expert Asif Munir told the Bangla Tribune, ‘Since their parents are Rohingya, their children born in this country will also be naturally considered as Rohingya or Myanmar citizens. They born in Bangladesh but they will not consider as Bangladeshi. But the current situation is a little different. They are living here temporarily.’ As an example, he said, "Until the time of giving citizenship to the Biharis in Bangladesh, they were named as Biharis. Later they were given citizenship. But in this case, they (Rohingyas) do not have that opportunity; these newly born children will be listed as Rohingya.

Rohingya refugees in a shelter (File Photo)Asif Munir said, "If they have to leave this country for some reason, then there will be another solution. Besides, if we discuss this issue with Myanmar later, then nationality question of the children will get the importance. Moreover, those children who come with relatives and neighbors without parents, these things must be discussed. So far, I think these children will be seen as Rohingya or Myanmar citizens. The government should give quick guidance on this issue.’

Whether the Rohingya children will get citizenship of Bangladesh, Attorney General Advocate Mahbubey Alam told the Bangla Tribune, ‘It is not possible to say anything about the citizenship of the Rohingya children right now. It is entirely dependent on the policies of the government.’

/MNH/PDN/
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