Bangladesh rejects World Bank proposal on Rohingya integration

Bangladeshi authorities strongly opposed the World Bank's proposal on integrating Rohingya Muslims into the country_ saying that they fear such a policy could impact repatriation.

Foreign Minister A.K. Abdul Momen said the World Bank has prepared a long-term program for 16 countries that are hosting refugees for their integration_ welfare_ equal employment and better communication between refugee and host communities.

"But we are not included in the definition of what the World Bank has meant. Rohingya are not refugees in our definition. Rather_ they are persecuted and displaced people whom we extended temporary shelter here (in Bangladesh)_" he said.

"Our priority issue is they should go back to their own land (in Myanmar)_" he emphasized while speaking to reporters in the capital_ Dhaka.

Bangladesh only recently came to know about the World Bank report on integrating refugees into their host countries from the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).

Momen said the report "suggests extending Rohingya the right to own land_ property_ businesses_ rights of election and mobility and equal rights in employment as exercised by Bangladeshi citizens as part of the integration process_ and if we agree with the proposal_ then it will provide financial support to this effect out of a $2 billion World Bank fund."

"We strongly oppose and completely reject the World Bank report_ as it contradicts our philosophy on Rohingya. We believe the only way out for the welfare of the Rohingya lies in repatriation_" he said.

Bangladesh will revise the proposal and scrap those provisions_ as it contradicts its policy_ the top diplomat said_ adding there will be some adjustments to the World Bank's proposal and a memorandum of understanding will be signed if the bank agrees with the revised proposal.

He urged the World Bank and U.N. agencies to instead work on implementing the repatriation of Rohingya to Myanmar.

Momen alleged that U.N. agencies_ international nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) and some other governments are adopting long-term programs on Rohingya that could further delay the main focus of repatriation.

Bangladesh is currently home to nearly 1.2 million Rohingya Muslims who fled a brutal military crackdown in Rakhine state in their home country of Myanmar in August 2017.

According to Amnesty International_ more than 750_000 Rohingya refugees_ mostly women and children_ fled Myanmar and crossed into Bangladesh after Myanmar forces launched a crackdown on the minority Muslim community in August 2017.

Since Aug. 25_ 2017_ nearly 24_000 Rohingya Muslims have been killed by Myanmar's state forces_ while more than 34_000 Rohingya were thrown into fires and over 114_000 others were beaten_ according to a report by the Ontario International Development Agency (OIDA).