Call for persuasive policy to stop influx of Rohingyas

They also suggested formulating a national policy on refugees to solve the refugee problem properly.

The Centre for Development Studies, Human Rights Forum and Bandhujona Lawyers Association co-organised the discussion on the Amnesty International report on violation of human rights of Rohingyas at the National Press Club.

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The report published in May revealed that the Muslim ethnic minority, known as Rohingyas, continue to suffer multiple restrictions and human rights violations. They even need to take permission from the authorities to leave their villages.

The speakers blamed the big powers and the international media for playing double standard role in raising voice against human rights violations.

When human rights are violated in East Timor, the super powers become vocal, but none of them raises voice against such violations taking place in Palestine and other Muslim states, said former law minister Abdul Matin Khasru.

The report says the Rohingya's freedom of movement is severely limited. They are also subjected to forced eviction, land confiscation and various forms of extortion and arbitrary taxation, including financial restriction on marriage. Rohingyas continue to be used as forced labourers on roads and military camps, it added.

Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Moudud Ahmed termed the Rohingya issue an internal matter of Myanmar.

The government does not want to hurt Myanmar, a friendly neighbour country, by interfering in its internal matter, he added.

"We have repatriated 1.8 lakh Rohingyas through negotiations with Myanmar," Moudud said, adding that talks with the Myanmar government are on to send back the remaining 20,000 refugees.

Prof. CR Abrar of Dhaka University said according to unofficial figure, tens of thousands of Rohingyas have been staying in Bangladesh.

Many of the repatriated Rohingyas again entered Bangladesh as the human rights situation in their homeland remains the same as before, he added.

Former state minister for foreign affairs Abul Hassan Chowdhury emphasised the need for settling the issue with Myanmar through a consistent persuasive policy and raising the issue in different international forums.

Dr Asif Nazrul criticised the UN and other bodies for not raising voice against the human rights abuse in Myanmar.