Western diplomats who have reservations in Rohingya relocation are going to visit the river island Bhasan Char on Saturday.
Australia, Canada, the European Union, France, Germany, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, and the United States of America are amongst some of the diplomatic missions invited to participate in a government-led visit to Bhasan Char taking place on April 3, said a statement from those embassies.
This visit by resident diplomatic envoys follows the UN team’s first visit to Bhasan Char that took place from March 17 to March 20.
“During this first visit to Bhasan Char by some of the heads of mission whose countries are contributing to the Rohingya response, participants will have an opportunity to see some of the facilities and services on the island and may have a chance to meet with relocated Rohingya refugees, authorities, and others living and working there,” said the joint statement.
COVID-19 protocols will be followed in accordance with the regulations and guidelines of the Government of Bangladesh.
“Envoys look forward to continuing the dialogue with the Government of Bangladesh on its Bhasan Char project, as well as with the UN and other relevant partners following the visit. Further conversations are needed, especially between the Government of Bangladesh and UN to discuss the policy and technical issues in detail,” read the statement.
The government is relocating 100,000 Rohingya people to decongest the crowded camps in Cox’s Bazar where over 1.1 million Myanmar nationals took shelter fleeing ‘ethnic cleansing’ in the Rakhine State.
The relocation is taking place on voluntary basis.
