DHAKA, Dec 19, 2021 (BSS) - Foreign Minister Dr AKM Abdul Momen today said the early repatriation of displaced Rohingyas to Myanmar is the lead priority of Bangladesh and international community must work to realize that goal.

   "Humanities assistance is required but the ultimate solution lies in the sustainable repatriation of the Rohingyas," he said.

  The foreign minister made the remarks while visiting UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Myanmar Tom Andrews called on him this afternoon at the State Guest House Padma in the capital. During the meeting, Dr Momen hoped that the UN agencies would expeditiously engage to provide humanitarian assistance to the Rohingyas staying at Bhashan Char.

  While describing the conditions on Bhasan Char, the Foreign Minister mentioned that Bangladesh has developed the island as a temporary shelter for the Rohingyas to de-risk and decongest the camps in Cox's Bazar spending USD350 million from its own resources.

  The foreign minister highlighted the extraordinary humanitarian gesture of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina by extending temporary shelters to the huge number of Forcibly Displaced Myanmar Nationals (FDMN) Rohingya despite numerous constraints and challenges of Bangladesh.

  He said Rohingyas prolonged stay in Bangladesh is increasingly making the situation untenable both for the Rohingyas and the host community.

  The prolongation of the stalemate in repatriation is making the Rohingyas more frustrated and susceptible to unlawful activities like smuggling of drugs, human trafficking, murder, and so on, he described.

   The foreign minister highlighted that Rohingyas are receiving informal education in Myanmar language following Myanmar Curriculum in Bangladesh through around 3000 learning centers which would enable them to uphold their tradition and cultural values leading to their reintegration in Myanmar society on return.

  He expressed frustration that some unauthorized privately run learning centering, madrashas and even coaching centers run by Rohingyas are promoting radicalism in camps following separate teaching materials and motives. Hence, he said, the government has asked to stop those unauthorized activities.

  However, he said, the authorized learning centers are continuing the learning activities with the support of UNICEF and INGO and NGOs following the government's COVID-19 related guidelines.

 The foreign minister observed that creation of a conducive environment in Myanmar and confidence building mechanism among the Rohingyas will pave the path of their voluntary and sustainable repatriation.

  Presence of ASEAN and UN representatives in Rakhine will contribute to build confidence among Rohingyas to return to Myanmar, he added.

  The foreign minister advised the Rapporteur to visit Rohingyas living in Myanmar and in other countries in order to carry out his mandate.

  Describing himself as a "Friend of Bangladesh", the Rapporteur assured to work in line with the priorities of Bangladesh for safe and dignified repatriation of the Rohingyas to Myanmar.

  He committed to take efforts to visit Myanmar to see the ground realities prevailing there, engage with Rohingyas living in other countries and the humanitarian actors working in Myanmar.