No alternative to safe, dignified Rohingya return: PM

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has said there is no alternative to the safe, voluntary and dignified repatriation of Rohingyas to Myanmar for a lasting solution to the prolonged crisis.

He made the remarks during a meeting with UN High Commissioner for Refugees Barham Salih at the Hyatt Grand Central New York on Tuesday (September 22), on the sidelines of the 81st session of the UN General Assembly.

Tarique Rahman said Bangladesh had been hosting a large number of forcibly displaced Rohingyas on humanitarian grounds for years and stressed the need for stronger and more coordinated international efforts to facilitate their return.

The meeting focused on creating conditions conducive to safe, voluntary and dignified repatriation, as well as finding a sustainable solution to the long-running crisis.

The two sides also discussed continued humanitarian assistance for the Rohingyas and stronger international cooperation to expedite the repatriation process.

The prime minister also called for broader international engagement to address the crisis, while Salih appreciated Bangladesh’s humanitarian role in hosting the Rohingya refugees and stressed continued international cooperation for a sustainable solution.