Bangladesh has reiterated its position over Myanmar refugee issue and mentioned that it considers the voluntary repatriation of the refugees to their homes in Rakhine State as the only durable solution to the protracted refugee situation in Cox’s Bazar.
Newly appointed ambassador and permanent representative of Bangladesh to the United Nations Offices in Geneva and Vienna M Shameem Ahsan said this while addressing the annual meeting of UNHCR’s governing Executive Committee in Geneva on Wednesday, said a foreign ministry media release in Dhaka on Thursday.
He alluded to the positive momentum generated by the recently concluded Foreign Office Consultations between Bangladesh and Myanmar in Dhaka.
The envoy stressed the need for gearing up the momentum to resume voluntary repatriation of the Myanmar refugees from Bangladesh.
On the occasion of the 40th anniversary of Bangladesh’s attachment with the United Nations, Shameem Ahsan expressed the government’s deep appreciation to the UNHCR for their support to refugees from Bangladesh during the War of Liberation.
UN High Commissioner for Refugees António Guterres thanked the Ambassador for his statement and assured that UNHCR remains at the disposal of the government of Bangladesh.
He greatly appreciated the decision of the government of Bangladesh to formulate the National Strategy Paper on Myanmar refugees and undocumented Myanmar nationals in Bangladesh.
UN secretary general Ban Ki-Moon addressed the executive committee as a special guest.
Source: Prothom Alo
