Stating that Myanmar's rejection of UN investigators' report on the Rohingya issue matters little, State Minister for Foreign Affairs M Shahriar Alam on Wednesday said the global community accepted the crucial report.
Speaking at a press conference, he also said the UN report is also an outcome of the successful diplomatic efforts carried out by the government to overcome the Rohingya crisis.
"It's very natural that Myanmar will reject the report but that matters very little. The report is accepted well by the global community," Shahriar said.
The press conference was held at the Foreign Ministry on Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's two-day visit to Nepal for attending the 4th Summit of the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (Bimstec) that begins on Thursday, reports UNB.
Highly appreciating the UN report, Shahriar said this is the most comprehensive, factual and important report among the ones submitted so far since August 25 last year.
He said the report unearthed very crucial information on the brutal torture on the Rohingyas and the elements of the crime against humanity committed by Myanmar. "This 20-page report is very important."
"It (UN report) is an outcome of our diplomatic efforts over the Rohingya issue under the leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. We've surely got successful in this regard," Shahriar observed.
The state minister, however, said still there is a long way to go to resolve the Rohingya crisis.
He said Bangladesh is making efforts on three aspects -- humanitarian, repatriation and trial of crimes committed in Rakhine -- to overcome the Rohingya crisis. "We think the UN report will intensify our three processes."
Shahriar said Bangladesh is engaged with Myanmar maintaining patience to resolve the Rohingya crisis and keep the bilateral relations unhurt. "We'll remain so in the days to come as well."
Asked about the progress on the repatriation of Rohingyas after the Foreign Minister's visit to Myanmar, he said the work has begun, but still many things need to be done for the repartition. "Bangladesh wants a quick repartition, but it has to be sustainable, and we're trying to ensure it."
Replying to another question, the state minister said the Rohingya issue is expected to come up for discussions at the retreat session of the Bimstec summit. "If any country raises the issue Bangladesh will be happy to facilitate that."
He, however, said there is no possibility for talks on the Rohingya issue at the main summit as political issues are not mandated to discuss there.
