Bangladesh PM Asks Myanmar To Take Back Rohingya Refugees
Mohammad Ali (@ChaudhryMAli88) Published January 12, 2017 | 12:50 AM
DHAKA, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 12th Jan, 2017 ) : Bangladesh's Prime Minister on Wednesday asked Myanmar to take back tens of thousands of Rohingya refugees who have fled a military crackdown in the Buddhist majority nation's Rakhine state, an official said.
According to the UN, at least 65,000 people belonging to the Muslim minority have fled to Bangladesh from Myanmar -- a third of them over the past week -- since a military operation was launched in October following attacks on police posts.
The figure marks a sharp escalation in the numbers of Rohingya fleeing a military campaign which rights groups say has been marred by abuses so severe they could amount to crimes against humanity.
The sudden influx has put enormous strain on impoverished Bangladesh, with Dhaka under pressure to open its border to the refugees. But it has instead reinforced its border posts and deployed coastguard ships to prevent fresh arrivals.
Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina called for a resolution to the crisis during a meeting with Myanmar's deputy minister for foreign affairs Kyaw Tin in Dhaka. "She said Myanmar should take back the Rohingya who migrated to Bangladesh," Hasina's spokesman Ihsanul Karim said.
Last month the Bangladesh foreign ministry summoned Myanmar's ambassador to express "deep concern at the continued influx" and called for the repatriation of some 300,000 Rohingya who have been living in the Muslim-majority nation for years -- most of them illegally.
The most recent arrivals have brought harrowing accounts of rape, murder and arson at the hands of Myanmar's army or police. Their stories have raised global alarm and galvanised protests against Myanmar's de facto leader, Aung San Suu Kyi, who has been accused of not doing enough to help the Rohingya.
Myanmar's government has said the claims of abuse are fabricated and launched a special commission to investigate the allegations. Last week the commission presented its interim report, denying accusations of "genocide and religious persecution" and saying there was insufficient evidence that troops had been committing rape.
The government refuses to recognise the Rohingya as one of the country's ethnic minorities, instead describing them as Bengalis -- or illegal immigrants from neighbouring Bangladesh -- even though many have lived in Myanmar for generations.
Related Topics
Recent Stories
Currency Rate In Pakistan - Dollar, Euro, Pound, Riyal Rates On 26 April 2024
Today Gold Rate in Pakistan 26 April 2024
ICC Womens T20 World Cup Qualifier, Match 2: Ireland Women open with Comfortable ..
Robinson, bowlers help New Zealand go 2-1 up against Pakistan
Shahzeb Chachar to hold khuli kachehri on April 26
Heatwave amid Israel's aggression in Gaza brings new misery, disease risk
Tourism must change, mayor says as Venice launches entry fee
Court adjourns Judicial Complex attack case till May 17
Nasreen Noori’s book ‘Popatan Jahra Khwab’ launched
Wafaqi Mohtasib inspection team visits Excise and taxation office
AJLAC announces 5th Conference titled ‘People’s Mandate: Safeguarding Civil ..
Pak-US officials engage to enhance trade, investment ties
More Stories From World
-
United by grief, families of Boeing crash victims demand justice
27 minutes ago -
Microsoft expands its AI empire abroad
37 minutes ago -
China ready to work with Pakistan to promote practical cooperation under CPEC, GDI: Luo Zhaohui
37 minutes ago -
Nuggets push Lakers to brink as Embiid's 50 points lead Sixers over Knicks
47 minutes ago -
Man City in title groove as Arsenal face Spurs test
47 minutes ago -
Philippine settlement submerged by dam reappears due to drought
47 minutes ago
-
ByteDance says 'no plans' to sell TikTok after US ban law
1 hour ago -
Oil: 'Mother of corruption' in Venezuela
1 hour ago -
ECO General Secretary urges member nations to embrace cultural wealth
1 hour ago -
China warns Blinken over deteriorating ties in talks
2 hours ago -
Famine-threatened Sudan's 'race against time' to plant crops
2 hours ago -
Microsoft, Google earnings shine as AI drives revenue
2 hours ago