“We are waiting for feedback from the ministers concerned on the draft. After getting their views, we will finalize it for our next course of actions.”

 The draft must be reviewed by the inter-ministry coordination body, prior to being approved by cabinet.

Haque said these issues will also be discussed during the 2nd annual Bangladesh-United States partnership dialogue that runs from May 26-28. But he warned that they “will not discuss the strategy paper in the meeting”.

Cabinet suggested that the foreign ministry to include a special law in the report that will punish those providing shelter and support to illegal Rohingya Muslims. Some amendments of the initial proposals were made to include this, according to sources within the foreign ministry.

“Those who provide shelter and support to Rohingya people must be brought under the law,” said Shahidul Haque.

NGOs helping Rohingyas will also not be allowed to provide assistance in the areas where they live without first attaining legal permission from the government, according to the report.

A provision that was included to enforce this, and also stop illegal entries, was forming task forces assigned to districts and upazila located in the concerned areas. These task forces, which will fall under the leadership of deputy commissioners (DCs) or upazila nirbahi officers (UNOs), will make monthly trips in these areas to ensure these provisions are carried out, stated the strategy paper.

The draft paper also recommended for a barbed wire fence to be built separating Bangladesh from Myanmar along a 50- kilometer embankment on the bank of the Naf River. This will make it easier for border enforcement.

International non-governmental organizations (INGOs) currently operating in the refugee camps should be replaced by local NGOs like Bangladesh Red Crescent Society, according to the report.

The paper also recommended conducting a survey to determine the exact number of refugees in the country, and also how many are illegally entering the country from Myanmar.  After the survey is completed those counted will be kept in shelters awaiting repatriation.

According to the report, around 500,000 Rohingyas entered Bangladesh following ethnic and religious conflicts in 1978-79 and 1991-92. Most were repatriated but about 30,000 still live in Nayapara and Kutuppalong refugee camps.

Bangladesh government officials claim to spend more than Tk 300 million providing food and support for residents of the 2 official camps in the country.

Rohingyas seeking refuge in Bangladesh have tainted the country’s international image, according to the report. To protect national interests the government has decided to not allow any more refugees to enter Bangladesh.

In the last 7 years, its estimated that 300,000 Rohingyas fleeing persecution in Myanmar have entered Bangladesh. Many also tried to enter the country after sectarian violence in Arakan state broke out in June and October of last year.