Japan for involvement of UN orgs in Rohingya repatriation

Visiting Japanese parliamentary vice minister for foreign affairs Iwao Horii on Wednesday said the involvement of the UN organisations in Rohingya repatriation process is important.

“We hope that both governments of Bangladesh and Myanmar continue to closely communicate with each other and that the repatriation will be steadily realised,” said the vice minister Horii.

He also said they also value the cooperation between the government of Bangladesh and the UNHCR.

The vice minister had an official meeting with Bangladesh foreign minister AH Mahmood Ali in Dhaka on Wednesday.

Horii arrived in Dhaka on Wednesday and will visit refugee camps in Cox’s Bazar on Thursday.

The primary purpose of his visit is to further the repatriation process of Rohingya refugees. He will also be visiting Myanmar on 23-24 March.

“I am visiting here following FM Kono’s (Japanese foreign minister Taro Kono) instruction to support the repatriation process based on the agreement between Bangladesh and Myanmar,” he said.

He said he conveyed three points to the government of Bangladesh.

“The key is to realise steady and early repatriation in safe, voluntary and dignified manner,” he said.

The vice minister said Japan highly appreciates Bangladesh government’s efforts for the displaced persons and welcome the dialogue with Myanmar.

While overpopulation is widely seen in the camps, the risks of serious natural disasters have been pointed out as the monsoon season approaches, he said.

“Therefore, promoting the repatriation of displaced persons is needed from the humanitarian perspectives,” he added.

He said that Japan will continue to assist efforts of both Bangladesh and Myanmar by closely working with the two countries.