TIB wants coordinated pressure on Myanmar


FE Team | Published: November 01, 2017 21:21:21 | Updated: November 02, 2017 14:59:37


TIB wants coordinated pressure on Myanmar

Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) said Bangladesh can resolve the Rohingya crisis by exerting coordinated diplomatic pressure on Myanmar.

According to TIB Executive Director Iftekharuzzaman, "The steps taken by Bangladesh so far regarding the Rohingya crisis are being praised at national and international levels."

He came up with the observation on Wednesday while releasing a survey report on the Rohingyas in Bangladesh at the TIB office in the city.

The TIB has conducted the survey on 'Problems Linked with Staying of Forcibly Displaced Myanmar Citizens in Bangladesh: Challenges of Good Governance'.

Mentioning the Rohingya crisis as a global problem, Iftekharuzzaman said a coordinated and specific diplomatic pressure, alongside distribution of relief among the Rohingya people, should be exerted on Myanmar to ensure quick repatriation of the Rohingyas.

Bangladesh has set a unique example in the global history by sheltering the Rohingyas on the humanitarian ground, he said, adding that the government earned good will, particularly the world leaders appreciated Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's humanitarian role.

The report observed that the Rohingya crisis may be seen as a challenge for stability and communal harmony in the entire hill region of the country.

It said different types of crime and violence, which are already being witnessed, might increase, if adequate security isn’t ensured in the Rohingya camps.

Chief of the survey team Golam Mahiuddin said about 200,000 Rohingyas came to Bangladesh in 1978. Of them 180,000 went back in 1979, 10,000 died and 10,000 went missing.

In 1991, about 250,000 Rohingyas again came to Bangladesh. Of them 30,000 Rohingya went back, he added.

Besides, 120,000 and 87,000 more Rohingyas came to Bangladesh from June to October in 2012 and 2014 respectively, Mahiuddin said, adding, the current number of Rohingya people, including the newcomers since August 2017, is more than 900,000.

Of the total recently arrived Rohingyas in Bangladesh, 85 per cent is children and 60 per cent women, the survey report revealed.

The Social Welfare Ministry has identified a total of 18,499 Rohingya orphans till October 20, who are planned to be sheltered in a separate shelter centre, it said.

The report also said biometric registration of a total of 313,000 Rohingyas has been completed till October 28.

Share if you like