Third party posing problems regarding Rohingya issue: Foreign minister

Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen has said there are some problems now that third parties have become involved in the Rohingya issue.

"They [third parties] speak of different rights and we are held hostage to getting those rights. We are experiencing a little trouble with this. But our number one priority is the repatriation of Rohingyas. Then, let them go there and assert the rights. That is their headache," said Abdul Momen.

While speaking as the chief guest at the launch of two books by Major (retd) Md Emdadul Islam, at the Bangabandhu Auditorium of the Chittagong Press Club on Sunday, the minister said efforts to repatriate Rohingya refugees to Myanmar are continuing. He added that 132 countries voted in favour of the Rohingya repatriation issue at the United Nations plenary session.

"However, for strategic reasons, the neighbouring countries did not vote in our favour. They already told us they would remain neutral because being neutral is more effective to negotiate. We believe other countries, like the neighbouring ones, did not vote in favour of us for the same reason. Our main goal is to send the Rohingyas back to their homeland. So who voted where is not so important," he said.

"Recently, Japan also agreed with us on the repatriation issue. Many Myanmar workers in Japan have also taken the initiative to convince Myanmar. We are always hopeful that a solution will come in negotiations," added the minister.

Vice Chancellor of Chittagong University Prof Dr Shirin Akhter presided over the function while Deputy Minister for Education Barrister Mahibul Hasan Chowdhury Nawfel was the special guest.

The two books published are "Rohingya Nishongo Nipirito Jatigoshthi [Rohingya-Lonely Oppressed Ethnic Group]" and "Shesh Shimanter Por Kothai Jabo Amra? [Where Will We Go After the Last Border?]."