Foreign Minister Dr. Hasan Mahmud. Photo: Collected
Terrorist and militant groups are recruiting members from Rohingya camps, which is not only a security problem for Bangladesh but also for the neighbouring countries, Foreign Minister Hasan Mahmud said on Sunday (12 May).
"Terrorists do not have a country of their own but have their networks in different countries. That's why Rohingyas may become an international threat," the minister told the reporters before a meeting with stakeholders at the office of the Refugee Relief and Repatriation Commissioner (RRRC) in Cox's Bazar.
"The Ministry of Foreign Affairs' parliamentary standing committee members visited the Rohingya camps today to identify problems by talking to the Rohingyas.
"The Rohingyas in Bangladesh have led to a range of issues, including environmental concerns, challenges in maintaining law and order as well as their alleged participation in drug trafficking activities. They have also been involved in terrorist activities," the minister said.
Referring to the ongoing discussions with Myanmar on Rohingya repatriation, the foreign minister said, "Discussions with Myanmar foreign minister is ongoing. We are regularly holding discussions with the foreign ministers of various countries so that effective pressure can be exerted on Myanmar to make it take back its citizens."
He further said, "Despite assuring us that it will take back its citizens, Myanmar has not taken back a single person in the last seven years. In the meantime, we are facing another problem due to the ongoing conflict within Myanmar.
"During the conflict in Myanmar, more than 500 Border Guard Police (BGP) and army personnel have fled to our country in several phases. They have been returned after discussions with Myanmar. Again, another 138 BGP and army personnel have fled," he added.
Earlier today, the MoFA's parliamentary standing committee, led by the committee's chairman AK Abdul Momen, visited the Rohingya camps in Ukhiya.
Messenger/Sumon
