Tarique asks Japanese envoy to help ensure safe Rohingya repatriation

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has asked Japan’s special envoy for national reconciliation in Myanmar, Yohei Sasakawa, to help secure the safe, voluntary and dignified repatriation of Rohingyas to their homeland.

Tarique made the request when Sasakawa paid a courtesy call at the Prime Minister’s Office in the Bangladesh Secretariat, according to the prime minister’s deputy press secretary, Shahadat Shadhin. He also asked Japan to cooperate in establishing a vaccine production centre in Bangladesh.

Sasakawa told Tarique that he had worked for nearly 50 years to promote peace and reduce discrimination in different parts of the world. He briefed the prime minister on his role as Japan’s envoy and said he had discussed the Rohingya crisis with Myanmar’s president.

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Bangladesh is also ready to provide necessary cooperation for the rehabilitation of Rohingyas in Myanmar after their repatriation.

Tarique described the crisis as one of Bangladesh’s biggest challenges. He said Bangladesh’s dense population and the long-term presence of large numbers of Rohingyas had placed additional pressure on the economy, infrastructure and overall management. He thanked Japan for its grants and humanitarian assistance and said Bangladesh was ready to cooperate with rehabilitation efforts in Myanmar after repatriation.

Sasakawa said he believed the Myanmar government was sincere about resolving the crisis, but added that the complex situation in Rakhine State meant progress would take time. He assured Tarique that he would make his best efforts from his position. The two sides also discussed stronger multilateral efforts and international cooperation, rather than relying solely on bilateral action. Sasakawa said he would work sincerely on the proposed vaccine centre.

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Returning home would create opportunities for them to improve their lives in areas including education and healthcare.