Japan wants safe repatriation

Japanese Parliamentary Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs Iwao Horii arrived in Dhaka yesterday for a two-day official visit to discuss with government officials the repatriation of Rohingya refugees.

Upon arrival, the visiting minister called on Foreign Minister AH Mahmood Ali yesterday and said he is visiting Bangladesh following Foreign Minister Taro Kono's instruction to support the repatriation process based on the agreement between Bangladesh and Myanmar.

According to a press release of the embassy of Japan yesterday, the vice minister conveyed three points to Bangladesh government -- appreciating Bangladesh government for its efforts for the displaced Rohingyas; repatriation of Rohingyas in “safe, voluntary and dignified” manner with involvement of the UN organizations; and dialogue between Bangladesh and Myanmar.

The Japanese minister will visit Rohingya refugee camps today and leave Bangladesh for Myanmar where he will also pay a two-day visit on March 23-24.

About his Myanmar visit, he said he would visit Myanmar and encourage the government for a much clearer guideline on securing the safety of the displaced persons after the repatriation.

“We would like to closely cooperate with the International Organizations so that our currently processing assistance of 2.73 million US dollars through the international organizations will be effectively used for both the displaced persons and host communities,” he said.