PM seeks Japan’s cooperation in Rohingya repatriation

Prime Minister Mr. Tarique Rahman has sought Japan’s cooperation in ensuring the safe, voluntary, and dignified repatriation of Rohingyas to Myanmar.

Mr. Yohei Sasakawa, the Japanese government’s Special Envoy for National Reconciliation in Myanmar and Chairman of the Nippon Foundation, paid a courtesy call on the Prime Minister at the Bangladesh Secretariat on Monday, during which the Prime Minister made this request.

At the meeting, Mr. Sasakawa said he has worked for nearly 50 years on establishing peace and eliminating discrimination in various regions of the world, and informed the Prime Minister of his role as the Japanese government’s special envoy on national reconciliation in Myanmar.

Noting that the Rohingya crisis has placed a major burden on Bangladesh, Mr. Sasakawa said he is aware of the situation, and highlighted various grants and humanitarian assistance provided by the Japanese government to support the Rohingyas.

Prime Minister Mr. Tarique Rahman thanked Mr. Sasakawa for his visit to Bangladesh and praised him for his long-standing humanitarian work. The Prime Minister said the Rohingya crisis is one of Bangladesh’s biggest challenges and thanked the Japanese government for standing by Bangladesh in addressing it.

Mr. Tarique Rahman said Bangladesh is already a densely populated country, and that hosting a large number of Rohingyas for a long period has placed additional pressure on the country’s economy, infrastructure, and overall management.

The Prime Minister called on Mr. Sasakawa to play a role, from his own position, in ensuring the safe, voluntary, and dignified repatriation of Rohingyas to their own country. He said that if Rohingyas return to their own country, opportunities will open up for improving their quality of life in areas including education and health, and that Bangladesh is therefore eager to extend all forms of cooperation toward repatriation.

Mr. Sasakawa said he has discussed the Rohingya crisis with the President of Myanmar. He believes the Myanmar government is sincere about resolving the crisis, but progress on Rohingya repatriation is being delayed due to the current complex situation in Rakhine State.

The Japanese special envoy assured the Prime Minister that he would continue making his utmost efforts, from his position, to resolve the Rohingya crisis.

The meeting also discussed the need to strengthen multilateral initiatives and international cooperation, rather than relying solely on bilateral efforts, for a sustainable solution to the Rohingya crisis.

At the meeting, the Prime Minister called on Mr. Sasakawa to help facilitate the establishment of a vaccine production center in Bangladesh, and the Special Envoy said he would work on the matter sincerely.

The Prime Minister also said Bangladesh is keen to attract Japanese investment, noting that the government is working to ensure an investment-friendly environment in the country, and also highlighted Bangladesh’s interest in further improving its bilateral relations with Myanmar.

The meeting was also attended by Finance and Planning Minister Mr. Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury, Finance and Planning Adviser Mr. Rashed Al Mahmud Titumir, State Minister for Foreign Affairs-1 Mr. Humayun Kabir, State Minister for Foreign Affairs-2 Ms. Shama Obaed, and the Prime Minister’s Special Assistant Mr. Shakirul Islam Khan.