Political parties' statements regarding humanitarian corridor to Rakhine premature: CA's press secretary

The statements made by political parties regarding a humanitarian corridor to Rakhine state in Myanmar through Cox's Bazar are premature, Chief Adviser's Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam said today (2 May).

Shafiqul made the remark at a press conference held at the Conference Room of Chattogram Circuit House this afternoon.

"No decision has been made yet regarding the establishment of a humanitarian corridor. If any humanitarian corridor is established, it will be done under the initiative and coordination of the United Nations," Shafiqul said.

"The UN will take the decision after discussing the matter with Bangladesh and Myanmar. Besides, the UN will also discuss the matter with other actors of the Rakhine state," Shafiqul added.

Stating that various groups have been fighting in Rakhine state for a long time, Shafiqul further said Bangladesh is the only medium to send humanitarian assistance to the Rohingyas living there.

"The Awami League does not have any rights to talk about the humanitarian corridor or the Rohingyas. They could not call Rohingyas by their name due to fear, rather they used to identify them as 'Forcibly Displaced Myanmar Nationals (FDMN)'. When you call them Rohingya, they get identified with Rakhine state. They are Rohingyas, not our relatives," Shafiqul also said.

Terming the information about the infiltration of 110,000 Rohingyas into Bangladesh in recent months as confusing, Chief Adviser's Deputy Press Secretary Abul Kalam Azad Majumder said, "Rohingya infiltration is continuing since war started in Rakhine state during the Awami League regime.

"Even members of the Myanmar army entered Bangladesh during that time. Infiltration is happening, but the number is misleading."

"The government has sent a list of 180,000 Rohingyas for the first phase of rehabilitation. The Myanmar government has said there are some issues with this list, and they are working on it," Azad added.