Dhaka, Bangladesh: A seminar was held at the National Press Club in Dhaka on June 3 to try and resolve the contentious Rohingya problem. It was organized by Neeti Gobeshona Kendra (NKG), says our correspondent.
The seminar was chaired by Professor Anwar Hossain of Dhaka University.
Professor Mahabubul Haque, director and trustee of NGK presented the keynote paper at the seminar. Professor Mahabulbul addressing the seminar said that Human Rights organizations, the UN, Burma and Bangladesh should step forward to resolve the problem not only for political reasons but also on humanitarian grounds. The Professor added that the Rohingya community in Burma has been struggling to get recognition as a race in the country but to no avail.
"The Rohingya issue is not merely a refugee crisis, it might turn out to be a serious geopolitical crisis in the future for south and Southeast Asia," Professor Mahabulbul observed.
The other speakers at the seminar also said that people of the country (Burma) were not aware of ethnic cleansing that is afoot there.
The speakers also urged the people to be vocal so that the government of Bangladesh resolves the Rohingya issue as it can cause unrest in the country.
The speakers at the seminar on ethnic conflict in Burma and the Rohingya issue said the Rohingya problem should be addressed immediately for the sake of the security of this region.
"Bangladesh should take the initiative along with neighboring countries immediately to solve the problem otherwise we will suffer most because of the Rohingya problem," the speakers added.
Apart from UNHCR, other human rights bodies should come forward to deal with the Rohingya issue, the editor of 'Weekly Probe' Ayesha Kabir said. 'The issue would not be resolved till the restoration of democracy and establishment of the rule of law and a federal government in Burma.'
Pointing a finger at western countries, journalist Maruf said "they took the responsibility of upholding human rights but didn't utter a word about the Rohingyas. The international community kept silent on the repression by military rulers of ethnic communities in Burma".
