All should work towards Rohingyas repatriation: Japanese envoy

Praising Bangladesh's efforts for sheltering the displaced Rohingyas of Myanmar, Japanese ambassador to Bangladesh Ito Naoki Monday underscored the enabling environment for the Rohingyas’ early repatriation to Myanmar.

“We should all work towards the enabling environment for the Rohingyas' early repatriation to Myanmar," he said. The ambassador was speaking as the special guest at a seminar titled “Geopolitics of Indo-Pacific and Reconnecting the Bay of Bengal Littorals” in the capital, a press release said.

Bangladesh Institute of International and Strategic Studies (BIISS) and the Japan embassy here have jointly organized as part of the celebration of the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Japan and Bangladesh.

The envoy said his country supports Bangladesh government's relocation policy of refugees to Bhasan Char and committed to provide US $2 million as the first donor to UNHCR and WFP for their operation in Bhasan Char.

Foreign ministry Parliamentary Standing Committee Chairman Muhammad Faruk Khan joined the occasion as the chief guest, BIISS director general Major General Mohammad Maksudur Rahman delivered the welcome address while its Chairman Ambassador Kazi Imtiaz Hossain presided over the session.  

In his speech Faruk Khan said the forcibly displaced Rohingyas may increase security threats in the Indo Pacific region. “To resolve the Rohingya Crisis, our Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina also sought support from Japan’s current Prime Minister Fumio Kishida for the peaceful repatriation of Rohingyas to their homeland- Myanmar,” he added.