Kaladan News

Dated: Saturday, February 19, 2005

 

95 Percent Rohingya Refugees Repatriated

 

Cox’s Bazar February 19: So far, 95 percent of Rohingya refugees have been repatriated to their homeland and everything is being done for the repatriation of the remaining refugees, according to FM of Bangladesh in parliament on 17th February 2005.

 

 Some 20,197 Rohingya refugees from Burma still remain in Bangladesh. Bangladesh Rifles (BDR) have been instructed not to allow any more Rohingya refugees into Bangladesh, said State Minister for Home Affairs Lutfozzaman Babar in parliament.

 

No Rohingya refugee has applied to the government seeking the citizenship of Bangladesh, the Home Minister further added.

 

Meanwhile, FM of Bangladesh told the House that according to the international norms of refugee repatriation, the government is conducting Rohingya refugee repatriation program through bilateral dialogue with UNHCR and the Burmese government.

 

Foreign Minister M Morshed Khan mentioned that a secretary level committee has been formed with representatives from the ministries of foreign affairs, Home affairs, and Food and Disaster Management. At present the committee is working to expedite the repatriation of remaining Rohingya refugees, he said.

 

Nearly 300,000 Rohingya refugees from Arakan State of Burma fled to Bangladesh in 1991-1992 by the discrimination of Burmese military. ##

 

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