Cox’s Bazar Correspondent
Rohingyas in Ukhia held a human chain on Thursday, calling for the Rohingya crisis and repatriation issue to be highlighted at the 81st session of the UN General Assembly and for effective international action to facilitate their early repatriation.
The human chain was held at noon at the United Council of Rohingya (UCR) office premises in Balukhali Rohingya Camp-15 in Ukhia.
Leaders of the UCR and members of the Rohingya community from different professions took part in the programme.
The speakers welcomed Bangladesh’s participation in the UN General Assembly session and expressed support for Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s five-point proposal to resolve the Rohingya crisis. They also called for effective international initiatives to facilitate early repatriation.
They said the Rohingyas had been living in Bangladesh for a long time in displacement, depending on humanitarian assistance. There is no alternative to safe, voluntary, dignified and sustainable repatriation as a lasting solution to the crisis, they said.
They called on the UN, regional organisations and the international community to play a more effective role in creating a conducive environment in Myanmar for repatriation.
Mohammad Chhaied Ullah, a member of the Presidential Panel of the United Council of Rohingya (UCR), said, “For nearly a decade, the Rohingyas have received solidarity and humanitarian assistance from the international community. Now is the time to turn that solidarity into effective action. I urge the international community to ensure the Rohingyas’ right to return to their homeland Myanmar with dignity.”
The Rohingyas said, “We have been living in uncertainty in the camps for a long time. We want to return to our own country safely and with dignity. Effective international initiatives are needed for repatriation.”
Master Jahangir Alam, Moulvi Chhaied Ullah, Master Kin Mong Rafiq, Master Shoaib and Sajeda Begum, among other UCR leaders, were present at the human chain.#SAS
