DHAKA, Jan 24 (Asia Free Press): Foreign Minister of Bangladesh Dr AK Abdul Momen, in a meeting with British Parliamentarians Thomas Patrick Hunt and Paul Bristow at Foreign Services Academy in Dhaka, has urged the UK government and British parliament to continue their efforts in early repatriation of forcibly displaced Rohingya to their motherland Myanmar from Bangladesh, the state-run media reported.
The FM Dr Momen, during the meeting, said, “We urge the British government and parliament to continue to press for the safe, dignified and voluntary repatriation of the forcibly displaced Roihingya from Myanmar to their homeland soon,” reported BSS.
Later, after the meeting, the UK Conservative Party MPs Thomas and Bristow visited the Rohingya camps in Kutupalong and Bhashan Char and interacted with Rohingya leaders, a foreign ministry press release said.
They reaffirmed their solidarity with the Rohingya and assured them of remaining seized with their legitimate demands for citizenship, security and freedom of movement in Myanmar.
The UK MPs noted that the international community had a responsibility to stand by this large group of people, which the government and people of Bangladesh generously supported.
Bristow also recalled the UK’s humanitarian assistance to the tune of 320 million GBP since 2017 and said that they would continue to raise the issue of further improving the living conditions of the Rohingya while they awaited their repatriation.
During the meeting with Dr Momen, the British delegation also exchanged views on further enhancing trade and investment between the two countries in the post-BREXIT context.
They reiterated their appreciation for the multi-dimensional contributions made by the British-Bangladesh diaspora in their respective constituencies and the land of their origin or ancestors.
Apart from Thomas and Bristow, The delegation also included MP Vijay Shamdas Daryanani, Gibraltar Minister for Business, Tourism, Transport and the Port, Samantha Helen Cohen CVO, CEO of the Commonwealth Enterprise and Investment Council, and Zillur Hussain, Founder of Zi Foundation.
