UNB, Dhaka Tribune, March 4, 2024

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Monday said the task of repatriating theforcibly displaced Myanmar nationals has become very difficult now because ofinternal conflict in the neighbouring country.

“The repatriation of Rohingyas is very important, but it has become verydifficult now because of internal conflict in Myanmar,” she said.

The prime minister said this while Professor Payam Akhavan called on her ather national parliament office.

Akhavan is the appointed lawyer of Bangladesh in the International Court ofJustice (ICJ).

PM’s speech writer M Nazrul Islam briefed reporters after the call on.

The prime minister said that Rohingyas have now become a huge burden forBangladesh.

“Local people of Cox’s Bazar have now turned the minority due to the influxof Myanmar nationals. They are damaging our environment,” she said.

She also said it must be ensured that the forcibly displaced Rohingyasreturn to their own land in a dignified way.

She also reiterated Bangladesh’s stance not to allow anybody to use itsterritory for any kind of insurgency.

“Bangladesh believes in this policy and will not allow anyone to do so infuture,” she said.

Hasina said in order to keep Rohingya youth away from criminal activities,the government has arranged better accommodation for one lakh Rohingyas inBhashanchar island and so far transferred 35,000 Rohingyas there.

She mentioned that some Rohingya groups have already are involved incriminal activities like arms, women and drugs trafficking, which is a greatconcern for Bangladesh.

Dr Payam Akhavan told the premier that Bangladesh has now become a globalleader in the area of climate justice.

PM Hasina said that Bangladesh formed a climate trust fund after the COP-15,not depending on anyone.

In addition, she said, Bangladesh has also taken various programs foradaptation and mitigation, especially developing green-belt for the protectionof coastal zones.

Sheikh Hasina thanked Professor Payam Akhavan for taking up the assignmentto help prepare Bangladesh's legal submission to the International Court ofJustice (ICJ) for its Advisory Opinion on the obligations of States 'to ensurethe protection of the climate system'.

Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister M Tofazzel Hossain Miah waspresent during the meeting.