Canada wants early solution to Rohingya crisis, says its FM
NTV Online
Dhaka: Appreciating Bangladesh for hosting around 11 lakh Rohingyas, Canadian Foreign Minister Chrystia Freeland on Saturday said her country also wants an early solution to the crisis.
‘Canada will remain beside Bangladesh over the Rohingya issue...Canada wants an early solution to the problem and quick repatriation of the Rohingyas to their homeland,’ she said.
The Canadian Foreign Minister, now in Dhaka to attend the OIC-CFM, said this when she met Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina at Bangabandhu International Conference Centre (BICC) after the inaugural programme of the 45th OIC-CFM.
PM’s press secretary Ihsanul Karim briefed reporters after the meeting, reports the UNB.
Chrystia Freeland also mentioned that Canada is ready to help Bangladesh on Rohingya issue.
Sheikh Hasina said the government is worried about the Rohingyas in the coming monsoon when cyclone and flood are very common. ‘We want peace, we want the resolution of the crisis in a peaceful manner through dialogue.’
She said Bangladesh has already talked to the neighbouring countries of Myanmar, including China, India, Thailand and Laos, over the issue and they also want that the refugees living in Bangladesh to go back to their own country.
The Prime Minister said Bangladesh is in talks with Myanmar, and an agreement has been inked over the issue.
‘But in reality, they (Myanmar) are not acting accordingly,’ she added.
Hasina also mentioned that the recommendations of the Kofi Annaan Commission should be implemented.
She said local Bangladeshis are suffering a lot due to the influx of the refugees as they have occupied the arable land. ‘As a result, local people cannot cultivate their own land... we’ve to give them relief in addition to sheltering.’
The Prime Minister raised the issue of extradition of Bangabandhu’s killer living in Canada.
In reply, Chrystia Freeland said she will convey the message to the Canadian Prime Minister.
State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shahriar Alam and High Commissioner of Canada to Bangladesh Benoit Préfontaine were, among others, present.