Rohingya crisis now a threat to regional security: Home Minister

The prolonged presence of a large number of Rohingya has created immense pressure on Bangladesh and also poses a threat to regional security, Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed said. He added that the Rohingya crisis is no longer just a humanitarian issue.

He made the remarks at a roundtable meeting on the challenges and strategies for resolving the Rohingya crisis, organised by the Institute for Global Cooperation Foundation at BIISS auditorium in the capital on Sunday, September 6.

The Home Minister said international cooperation is needed to ensure the dignified repatriation of the Rohingya to their country. The Rohingya issue must remain focused on all international radars, including the United Nations, and should not be overshadowed by other issues.

Salahuddin Ahmed said international cooperation must be further strengthened for a lasting solution to the Rohingya crisis. The issue of safely and dignifiedly repatriating nearly 15 lakh Rohingya to their own country needs to be raised more forcefully on the international stage.

The Home Minister urged the UN representatives and human rights bodies working in Bangladesh to expedite arrangements for the dignified return of Rohingya refugees to their country. International community cooperation is most urgently needed for this purpose.