Dhaka: Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) senior leader Nazrul Islam Khan on Thursday called upon the government to take diplomatic efforts involving the international community to stop persecution on Rohingyas and ensure their safe and peaceful existence in their own country.

“We don’t say we need to help Rohingyas to fight against Myanmar authorities. We rather say diplomatic pressure to be put together with the global community so that they (Rohingyas) can peacefully stay in their own country. It should be Bangladesh’s political and diplomatic position on the issue,” he said.

The BNP leader further said, “It’s not a solution to give the Rohingyas any temporary shelter here. Ensuring their peaceful and safe existence in their own country is the solution.”

He came up with the remarks at a human chain programme in front of the Jatiya Press Club arranged by Jatiyatabadi Ulema Dal protesting the reported ongoing genocide and repression on Rohingyas in Myanmar.

Nazrul, a BNP standing committee member, also urged the government to give fleeing Rohingyas temporary shelter to a specific place on humanitarian ground. 

Narrating the sufferings of the Rohingyas, the BNP leader said they are coming to Bangladesh for shelter crossing the Nafe River to save their lives. “Sending them back means pushing them to the jaws of certain death.”

Recalling that nearly one crore people took shelter to neighbouring country India in 1971 to save them from the persecution by the Pakistani occupation forces, he regretted that now Bangladesh is not standing beside the oppressed people of it’s a neighbouring country. 

“Boats carrying Rohingya are being sent back. They’re drowning in the river and getting killed near border on their return to their country. Such sufferings can’t be acceptable,” Nazrul added.

Referring to newspaper reports that several thousands Rohingyas have already entered the country through brokers, he wanted to know, “Who’re these brokers?” 

The BNP leader criticised the country’s rights bodies for not raising their voice over the Rohingya issue. “These organisations remain silent as the government doesn’t take position in favour of Rohingyas.”

Mentioning that Rohingya is not only an issue of Muslims, he called upon all irrespective of their political affiliation and opinions to stand beside the helpless and repressed minority people of Myanmar.