Rohingya camps turned breeding ground for radicalisation: Norway envoy

Norwegian Ambassador in Dhaka Sidsel Bleken has observed that the Rohingya camps in Cox's Bazar have turned into a breeding ground of radicalisation due to absence of education and employment opportunities for the displaced people.

"There is no education, work and hope for the Rohingyas. It's a breeding ground for radicalisation. So, how to work about it needs to be looked at," she said at a discussion on role of media in solving Rohingya crisis.

Lokkho News Presentation Academy organised the programme at The Daily Star conference centre in Dhaka this noon.

Claiming that the Rohingyas are vulnerable for human trafficking, Bleken said, "It is important to look into what's happening in the camps at night."

Over 700,000 Rohingyas fled brutal military campaign in Myanmar's Rakhine state since August last year.

Amid the global pressure, Myanmar has signed deals with Bangladesh, UN Refugee Agency and United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) to accelerate safe and dignified repatriation of the Rohingyas.

However, the path of safe and dignified return to their homelands in Rakhine state has not yet been paved.

Besides, the Rohingya people have raised their voices demanding guarantee for their permanent citizenship, original homes instead of the makeshift camps and their overall security in line with the UN arrangement.

Despite global condemnation for atrocities against the Rohingyas, the UN Security Council has not taken any concrete step to address the decades old crisis that has grown to its peak in the recent violence.

Taking part in the discussion, Swedish Ambassador to Bangladesh Charlotta Schylter said political support is needed so that Myanmar is forced to create conducive conditions for safe and dignified return of the Rohingyas.

"We will continue to stand by Bangladesh," the Swedish ambassador said, drawing global attention to put an end to the crisis.