Bhasan Char needs more resources to fulfill Rohingyas’ expectations: Ambassador Naoki

UNB NEWS DHAKA  PUBLISH- APRIL 12, 2022, 10:47 AMAKM MOINUDDIN - UNB STAFF WRITER  UPDATE- APRIL 12, 2022, 04:26 PM

Japanese Ambassador to Bangladesh Ito Naoki has said more resources need to be put in place on Bhasan Char Island to create more livelihood opportunities for the relocated Rohingyas as what he says the Rohingyas face “some challenges” on the island despite having some “solid facilities and infrastructure.”

“It’s true that they’re enjoying a better safety and security environment. They’re living in more solid, concrete buildings. So that's absolutely a positive aspect of their lives,” he told UNB in an interview while sharing experience of his recent visit to the Island but noted that there should be more resources through joint efforts to create livelihood opportunities on the island.

The ambassador said the government of Bangladesh and the international community need to come forward with more resources and the private sector including Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) can be involved to create more livelihood opportunities, education and skills for the Rohingyas so that “frustration” does not grow among them which might lead to instability.

Rohingyas are Myanmar nationals and Bangladesh has been hosting them on a temporary basis purely out of humanitarian gesture, Bangladesh says.

Any arrangement in Bangladesh for Rohingyas is solely “temporary” in nature, said a government official, noting that the Rohingyas want to return to their homeland – Myanmar’s Rakhine State - and all need to work constructively to that end.

The government of Bangladesh made it clear that it cannot integrate the Rohingyas and cannot find any permanent solution within Bangladesh while their sustainable repatriation is seen as the only solution.  

Asked whether providing more livelihood opportunities will send a  signal to Myanmar that the Rohingyas are being settled in Bangladesh, Ambassador Naoki said, “No, I don't think so.”

He said the Rohingyas living in Bhasan Char want to go back and repatriation is their goal. “They want justice. Even after almost five years, they’re still really looking at their homeland. It's clear they want to go back.”

So as long as they have that determination for repatriation, no wrong signal can be sent to Myanmar, said the ambassador.

He said education, skills and livelihood opportunities are essential things before they go back to Myanmar as it seems, given the situation in Myanmar, the Rohingyas are going to stay here for “some more years.”

“You decided to open up the border. You decided to provide humanitarian support and protection. So now we’re in the next stage. That’s to equip them with better education, better skills, better livelihood opportunities, I think these are the steps we should take even to facilitate the process of repatriation. That’s my view,” said the ambassador.