Govt census counts 3 lakh illegal Rohingyas
The Bangladesh government yesterday briefed Western and Southeast Asian diplomats, United Nations and other donor agencies of a recent first-ever census on undocumented Rohingyas who entered illegally over the years fleeing persecution in Myanmar.
Foreign Secretary Md Shahidul Haque informed about the latest Rohingya situation in the country at the State Guesthouse Padma.
The census, from February 1 to 23, primarily counted 3 lakh illegal Rohingyas. Besides, there are 32,000 documented Rohingya refugees in two camps in Cox's Bazar.
The census' outcome will be finalised in November-December, helping to implement a strategy on Rohingya issues, he said.
Diplomatic sources said the census was held internally to avoid antagonising Nay Pyi Taw and the only outside group involved was the International Organization for Migration which provided outreach and awareness workshops to encourage enrollment.
Official sources said the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics carried out the survey in Cox's Bazar, Bandarban, Rangamati, Chittagong, Khagrachhari and Patuakhali under a Tk 21.75 crore project.
The census' main objective was to provide special identity documents called “information cards” to recognise them as “Myanmar Muslims and not citizens of Bangladesh”, said diplomatic sources.
The objective also included preparation of a database, comprising pictures and general information.
Yesterday's briefing sources quoted the foreign secretary as saying that the census also helped identify the present address of Rohingyas and their origins in Myanmar. It helped collect their socio-economic and demographic statistics.
Diplomatic sources said the cards would help Rohingyas get education, healthcare and some other basic facilities and protect them from harassment or arrest by law enforcers.
The foreign secretary also informed of the progress in organising the Global Forum on Migration and Development Summit in Dhaka on December 10-12 with the theme “Migration that works for Sustainable Development of All: Towards a Transformative Migration Agenda”.
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