Myanmar not willing to take Rohingyas back

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said the war in Ukraine and its refugees have shifted global attention from the Rohingya crisis, making the situation on the ground more difficult.

"The war (in Ukraine) has made the situation more difficult. The whole focus is now on the war and the refugees from Ukraine," she said.

The prime minister, in an  interview with Al Jazeera, said that Myanmar is not showing any intent in taking their nationals back to their country despite Dhaka's repeated attempts to resolve the issue through dialogue.

The premier spoke to the Qatar-based media outlet on a number of issues that include the situation in the Rohingya camps in Cox's Bazar and the future of the Rohingyas living there on the sidelines of the Fifth United Nations Conference on the Least Developed Countries (LDC5) in Doha, Qatar.

Sheikh Hasina, who arrived in Qatar on March 4 to attend the conference, arrived in Dhaka this afternoon.

Al Jazeera journalist Nick Clarke interviewed the prime minister. A short part of the interview has been broadcast while the full part will be aired on Al Jazeera at 4:30 GMT on March 11 (10:30am, Saturday, Bangladesh time).

Sheikh Hasina said Bangladesh gave shelter to Rohingyas – the victims of persecution, murder and rape in Myanmar – on humanitarian grounds.

Replying to a question about improving the situation of Rohingyas, the prime minister said: "When the Rohingya persecution started in Myanmar, Rohingyas were subjected to torture, murder and rape… we felt sorry for the Rohingyas… we opened the border… we allowed them to come. Besides, we provide shelter and treatment for all of them from the humanitarian ground."

Asked about resolving the crisis, the PM said her government has taken initiatives to engage in dialogue with Myanmar, insisting the Rohingyas should be allowed to go back in their homeland.

"Unfortunately, they are not responding positively. These people should go back to their own land," the PM said.

The prime minister said: "The international community is exerting pressure on Myanmar. But it is really difficult. We arranged accommodation for them in a separate place. Bhasan Char is a good place, a good place to live... We have arranged good accommodation and excellent facilities for children there."

On living conditions in the Rohingya camps and the loss of shelter of more than 12,000 Rohingyas in the fire, she said infighting among Rohingya groups has worsened the condition in the camps.

"They (Rohingyas) are fighting each other. They engaged in different types of activities that include drugs, arms and human trafficking. They have conflicts among themselves," the PM added.