Rohingya crisis now a security concern for Bangladesh: Shama

State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam on Sunday said the Rohingya crisis has become a security concern for Bangladesh, stressing the need to keep the issue high on the international agenda.

"We need to keep the Rohingya issue relevant on the international stage, and keeping it relevant remains a major challenge," she said while speaking as the chief guest at a dialogue.

Neeti Gobeshona Kendro organised the national policy dialogue titled "A Sustainable Approach to the Resolution of the Rohingya Crisis: Outline of a National Strategy and External Contribution" at the CIRDAP Auditorium.

The State Minister said Bangladesh must press the international community to engage meaningfully with Myanmar to ensure that the necessary conditions are created inside the country for the safe and dignified return of the Rohingyas.

She also underscored the importance of building a national political consensus on addressing the crisis.

"We have always been vocal about the Rohingya crisis," Shama Obaed said emphasising that repatriation must take place in a safe and dignified manner.

"We need to ensure minimum dignity for them," she said.

Bangladesh is currently hosting more than 1.3 million Rohingyas, with the number continuing to grow, putting increasing pressure on host communities and the country's economy as a whole.

The dialogue aimed to facilitate constructive engagement among policymakers, political leaders, diplomats, researchers, civil society representatives, human rights advocates, journalists and representatives of the Rohingya community on developing a sustainable and comprehensive approach to resolving the protracted crisis.

Particular emphasis was placed on formulating a national strategic framework, building political consensus, strengthening diplomatic engagement and exploring the roles of international and external stakeholders.

The discussion highlighted the importance of sustained policy dialogue, diplomatic engagement, political consensus and meaningful participation of the Rohingya community in finding a durable and dignified solution to one of the most protracted humanitarian and geopolitical challenges facing Bangladesh and the wider region. -UNB