Rights boss backs govt

National Human Rights Commission Chairman Prof Mizanur Rahman yesterday criticised a section of experts for favouring the entrance of Rohingyas into Bangladesh on humanitarian grounds.
The NHRC chief also strongly differed with their opinion that the government's policy in dealing with the Rohingya issue was wrong.
“Some intellectuals have been trying to put the government as well as the state in the dock for barring Rohingyas from entering the country,” he told a discussion at the capital's Cirdap auditorium.
He complained that a quarter of the intellectuals was trying to divert the war crimes trial issue by raising the Rohingya problem at a time when the trial has reached a crucial stage.
Refugee and Migratory Movements Research Unit (RMMRU) hosted the event on “Dialogue on Economic Migrants or Asylum Seekers: Rohingyas in Bangladesh.”
Speaking at the event, former adviser to a caretaker government AF Hasan Arif said if the people's opinion is sought, they would favour the entrance of Rohingyas into Bangladesh on humanitarian grounds.
The government's stance of pushing back the Rohingyas to Myanmar does not reflect the public opinion, he claimed.
Refuting Arif's claim, the NHRC chief said his (Arif) idea is not right because people do not want any more Rohingyas cross into Bangladesh. “Ethically and morally, we should help the Rohingyas, but in doing so, a democratic government can't relinquish its people's interests.”
Mizan also blasted the role of the international community in the Rohingya issue saying that their outcry is politically motivated.
“The double standards of the international powers have been exposed as they are carrying out drone attacks in one way, while asking the government to sit with Jamaat-Shibir for dialogue in the other.”
He also pointed out that a large number of Rohingyas had been involved in the recent attacks on the Buddhist community in Ramu.
Prof Asif Nazrul of Dhaka University suggested the government allow the Rohingyas enter into the country. He said the government and the international community should urge the United Nations to put pressure on Myanmar to settle the problem.
Eminent lawyer Shahdeen Malik said though some Rohingyas had been used for political purposes, the government should not deny shelter to their fellows.
Making a presentation, RMMRU Executive Director CR Abrar said allowing entry to Rohingyas is a moral and international obligation of the government.
Dr Hamida Hossain of Ain O Salish Kendra and Prof Pias Karim also favoured sheltering the Rohingyas.
Moderated by DU teacher Tasneem Siddiqui, Justice Syed Refaat Ahmed and acting chairman of Law Commission Prof Shah Alam also took part in the discussion.