Rohingya beneficiary leaders resisting repatriation

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Bangla Tribune Report
Published : 21:25, Aug 20, 2019 | Updated : 21:33, Aug 20, 2019

Bangladesh’s Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen addressing the media at the State Guest House Jamuna in Dhaka with Indian External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar on Tuesday, August 20, 2019 Focus BanglaAmid resistance from some Rohingya beneficiary leaders, the government and UNHCR are actively engaged with the forcefully displaced people to make them understand to go back to their motherland, said Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen.

He was talking with a group of journalists at his office Tuesday.

“Some Rohingya leaders have emerged and they don’t want repatriation. They are trying to resist the process. Some NGOs and INGOs are also provoking them,” he said.

Quoting media reports, he said some of the Rohingya leaders are millionaires.

“We want them to go back. Many Rohingyas want to go back as houses of many of them are intact and undamaged. They came here in fear and they want to go back,” the minister said.

About the citizenship, he said, “They are putting a condition that they would not go back without getting citizenship.”

Myanmar told the Rohingyas that it is a process and after their returning, they would get a card and in process, they would get citizenship, he said.

About Chinese cooperation, the minister said, “China is involved in this process wholeheartedly. They are helping us and they made Myanmar agree to take Rohingyas back.”

Meanwhile, Refugee, Relief and Rehabilitation Commissioner (RRRC) Mohammad Abul Kalam told Bangla Tribune that they interviewed 21 Rohingya families Tuesday.

“We have taken all the necessary preparation and expect that a Chinese team will be here in Cox’s Bazar to see the repatriation process on Aug 22,” he said.

Meanwhile, our Teknaf correspondent reported that a group is resisting the repatriation move.

A Rohingya leader seeking anonymity said, “In the camp, a group was threatening Rohingyas who wanted to go back. Many of the Rohingyas fled from their homes due to this threat.”

Arakan Rohingya Society for Peace and Human Rights Chairman Muhib Ullah said, “We want Rohingya repatriation and we will help if this is voluntary. No sudden repatriation will be done as nobody is aware of it.”

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