Describing the atrocities on Rohingyas as “violation of human rights”, Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Tuesday urged Myanmar to safely take their nationals back to their land.
“Stop violence against innocent people,” Ms. Hasina said adding that though Bangladesh would provide refuge to those coming in on humanitarian grounds, they would eventually have to go back to their country.
Visiting the biggest Rohingya refugee camp in Ukhia’s Kutupalang here, Ms. Hasina categorically said what was happening in Myanmar was “inhuman, a violation of human rights.” “It is difficult to stem one’s tears when we see the situation. People deserve to live like human beings. Why should they suffer so?”
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Before distributing relief materials to the refugees who arrived in droves since the Myanmar military allegedly began an offensive, Ms. Hasina said Bangladesh only wanted “peace and good relations” with its neighbours, however, that it could not accept “unjust acts” the Myanmar government was committing.
“Still, the fire is burning there...people can’t find out their family members...the bodies of infants and women are floating on the Naf River, these go completely against humanity and are violation of human rights,” the Prime Minister said. “What are the crimes these innocent children, women and people have committed...we can’t tolerate such activities,” she said.
“Give them a safe place to live in their homeland. The international community should put pressure on Myanmar as they’re committing such atrocities on Rohingya people. This has to be stopped,” Ms. Hasina added.
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“We will do what we can to provide support. Our humanity compels us to stand by them in these sad times. It is because of this that we have allowed them to take refuge in Bangladesh. We will make arrangements for them until the Myanmar government is ready to take them back.”
Ms. Hasina also questioned Myanmar’s decision to change its laws and prevent its 1.1 million Rohingya residents from receiving citizenship.
She condemned the attacks by insurgents on the Myanmar border police and the military. “Let those who created this situation see the effect the violence has had on their own mothers, sisters and children. Their wrongdoing has forced hundreds of thousands to flee their homes. They should have discussed their problems with the government.”
Earlier in the day, Ms. Hasina told the national Parliament that the country would take up the Rohingya issue with the United Nations General Assembly.
According to United Nations, while exodus is still continuing, a total of 370,000 Rohingyas have already fled Myanmar for Bangladesh. The UN International Organization for Migration chief spokesman Leonard Doyle said on Tuesday, "The system is clearly at full stretch and needs all the support it can get. "