The Bangladesh cabinet member endorsed a national strategy for dealing with the issues of refugees and citizens from Burma living illegally in Bangladesh, Mohammad Musharraf, the cabinet secretary told a press conference at the end of the Sept. 9 meeting.
There are around 25,000 documented Rohingya refugees living in two camps: Nayapara and Kutupalong in Cox’s Bazar District. But the actual number when counting undocumented Burmese nationals is about 300,000 to 500,000. The large numbers are causing socio-economic and environmental problems, and threating national security, Hossain said.
The foreign ministry placed the document at the weekly cabinet meeting with the Prime Minister, Sheikh Hasina, in the chair at the secretariat to address the Rohingya refugee issue in a coordinated manner as an increasing number of undocumented citizens from the neighboring country was posing a threat to ‘national security.’
Hossain told the press that a survey would be conducted under the strategy in order to prepare a list of Burmese citizens that had crossed into Bangladesh stayed here illegally.
One refugee leader that wished to remain anonymous told Kaladanpress that they have been in Bangladesh so long that they deserve to be offered real solutions.
“We have been living in Bangladesh for over 22 years in bad conditions. We are very afraid if Bangladesh Government lists the Rohingyas because we will face many problems in future. So, we want durable solution through international community. We don’t want to stay in Bangladesh because it’s very poor and overpopulated.”
The leader said that more restrictions imposed on Rohingyas in Bangladesh will just cause more hardship and many will be jailed.
A national coordination committee will be formed with the foreign minister as the chief. In addition, task forces will be formed at the district and township levels and led by deputy commissioners and the Upazila (Township) Nirbahi officers (UNO) concerned, Hossain said.
The cabinet secretary also told the press that security along the border will increase to expedite the government’s efforts to stop the influx of Rohingya Muslims fleeing for persecution in their homeland. Support will continue for Rohingyas refugees living in the official camps on humanitarian ground, Musharraf said.
