CA seeks humanitarian channel in Rakhine to stop further displacement

Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus on Friday called for establishing a humanitarian channel in Rakhine state of Myanmar for the supply of basic necessities to people to stop further displacement there.

“Given the recent developments in Rakhine State, amidst the warning of UNDP of an impending famine in Rakhine, a humanitarian channel in Rakhine may be established for the supply of basic necessities to the people to stop further displacement from Rakhine,” he said.

Addressing the 6th BIMSTEC Summit in Bangkok, the chief adviser said the protracted Rohingya crisis, if remains unresolved, has the possibility of creating instability in the whole region.

He said the BIMSTEC can promote dialogue to resolve the internal conflicts, particularly between the conflicting parties in Rakhine.

It should take more visible actions to engage Myanmar to bring stability in Rakhine for an enabling environment for the return of the forcibly displaced Rohingyas to Myanmar, Yunus said.

He said Bangladesh encourages meaningful participation of the BIMSTEC member states in the “High-Level Conference on the Situation of Rohingya Muslims and Other Minorities in Myanmar’ under the UN auspices in September.

The chief adviser said Bangladesh expects high-level political participation in the conference from the BIMSTEC member states.

UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres undertook a historic visit to Bangladesh from 13-16 March and expressed complete solidarity for the rights of the Rohingyas to return to Myanmar with dignity and safety, he said.

Thai Prime Minister and Chairperson of the Summit Paetongtarn Shinawatra, BIMSTEC Secretary General Ambassador Indra Mani Pandey and distinguished heads of delegations from the BIMSTEC member states were present on the occasion.