Continue the diplomatic pressure on Myanmar

We welcome the call by the delegates at the 13th Asia Europe Meeting (ASEM) to implement the Kofi Annan Commission recommendations and finalise the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Bangladesh and Myanmar that would put in place a roadmap for the return of displaced Rohingyas to the Rakhine state. It is good to see the EU standing by Bangladesh's demand that Myanmar must make moves to demonstrate its willingness to take back its people.

While China has proposed a three-phase plan to be implemented through bilateral consultations between the two countries, we should keep our focus on the diplomatic front that involves the international community. Bangladesh has been taking the burden of about a million people on its soil, largely using its own resources. This is a situation that cannot be sustained much longer. Myanmar needs to demonstrate to the world that the regime has stopped the atrocities which precipitated large-scale exodus of the Rohingyas in the first place, and create conditions for the safe return of the refugees.

And it is only when we have a MoU in place that we can talk about the manner in which the Rohingyas may return to their homeland. We find it ironic that the democratic leader of Myanmar, till now, refuses to acknowledge Rohingyas as the country's nationals and chooses to talk about "terrorism and violent extremism." Our two countries need an agreement that would lay out timelines and conditions for the repatriation of Rohingyas very soon.