World Refugee Day observed-UNHCR for govt support to solve refugee crisis

Tuesday June 21 2005 09:22:26 AM BDT

The UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) stressed stronger and proactive government initiative for a permanent solution to refugee problem facing Bangladesh for long.Christopher Beng Cha Lee, UNHCR Representative in Bangladesh, made the suggestion talking to newsmen here on the eve of the World Refugee Day, observed worldwide yesterday.He emphasized formulating a policy and urged experts, policy makers and lawyers to come forward in this regard. Lee appreciated the role of the Bangladesh Government for extending various supports to around 20,500 Rohingya refugees left over at Kutupalang and Nayapara camps in Cox’s Bazar, waiting for repatriation to their homeland.

He said refugee situation in Bangladesh is quite different from other countries because around one crore people of the country crossed border and took refuge in India during the Liberation War. "With this tolerance, it is supporting the Rohingyas for more than last one decade," said the UNHCR representative.Our Diplomatic Correspondent adds: Former official of the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) Aziz Ahmed has said that the refugee problem was one of the aspects of the country’s war of independence in 1971 when about one crore people from Bangladesh had to take shelter in India for their safety and security Addressing a seminar on the refugee at the Liberation War Museum in Dhaka yesterday Aziz Ahmed narrated endless suffering of the people of Bangladesh when they were forcibly displaced from their hearth and homes.

The seminar was arranged on the occasion of the World Refugee Day observed in Bangladesh and elsewhere in world in a befitting manner. The theme of the day is "courage". In a message on the occasion yesterday UN Secretary General Kofi Annan called upon all concerned to face the refugee problems with fortitude and courage.Aziz Ahmed also focused on a century old refugee scenario of the world saying that many displaced persons meanwhile had returned their homes but many could not go back.

None can say when they will be able to go back.Speaking on the occasion UNHCR Deputy Representative in Bangladesh Mulusew Mamo narrated various aspects of the Rohiynga refugees who had been living in Bangladesh since 1991.Mamo appreciated the government’s cooperation in tackling the refugee problems since 1991 when the Rohiynga Muslims from Myanmar entered Bangladesh. Museum Trustee Ali Zaker also spoke on the occasion.

The office of the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) in Bangladesh observed the World Refugee Day by holding a discussion on the refugees’ rights, essay competition, cultural programme and prize distribution in the two refugee camps in Cox’s Bazar.On the occasion Cox’s Bazar Environment Journalists Forum held a rally in Cox’s Bazar, which was participated by journalists, lawyers, UNHCR staff and common people.
The Independent / UNB, DHAKA
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