It’s a strategic decision: FM about UN resolution on Rohingyas

Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen on Sunday said they have no displeasure against the countries which abstained from voting in the UN resolution and voted against it saying it is a “strategic” decision, reports UNB.

“It’s a strategic decision. We’re happy with the results,” he told reporters at his office, adding that a total of 132 countries, not 130 as reported in the media, voted in favour of the resolution which is a success for Bangladesh.

China and Russia stood beside Myanmar while India and Japan refrained from voting the draft resolution on the situation of human rights of Rohingya Muslims and other minorities in Myanmar which was adopted by the UN General Assembly.

Russia, China, Belarus, Cambodia, Laos, the Philippines, Vietnam, Zimbabwe and Myanmar themselves were the nine countries that voted against the resolution, i.e. in Myanmar’s favour.

“Those countries could play a better role which voted against the resolution. We don’t have any displeasure against them,” Dr Momen said.

A total of 26 countries, including India, Japan, Sri Lanka and Singapore, abstained from voting on the resolution on the situation of human rights of Rohingya Muslims and other minorities in Myanmar.

The resolution was placed before the 75th General Assembly of the United Nations on Thursday.

“We’re happy that they talked to us before the decision,” Dr Momen said explaining why the countries wanted to remain neutral in the UN to use their leverage on Myanmar in finding the solution.

India has recently said they engaged with Myanmar at every level, including the highest level of the civilian government and the highest level of military establishment in the State of Rakhine, where they claimed to make their position clear.

Japanese Ambassador Ito Naoki said they are communicating directly with Myanmar’s top military officials and at the government level on the Rohingya crisis as Japan sees it the proper channel to play a role.

China is trying to work with Myanmar and Bangladesh to find a solution through tripartite discussions.

Dr Momen said the Rohingya issue remains a big challenge and expressed his optimism over resumption of the repatriation process in this year. “It’s our expectation.”

FM Writes to Myanmar Counterpart

“I’ve conveyed to my counterpart in Myanmar that we want the process to start. You repeatedly told us that you will take them back after verification and provide safety and security. It’s our demand that you will provide it what you promised,” he said, adding that creating a conducive environment for voluntary repatriation has to be in place as promised.

The Foreign Minister said he wrote to his counterpart at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Myanmar on January 1 touching upon overall issues.

He said Myanmar is a friendly country and Bangladesh is trying to solve the Rohingya issue through discussion with Myanmar bilaterally apart from exploring other ways.