TURKISH PM SEEKS JOINT GLOBAL EFFORTS FOR ROHINGYA'S SAFE RETURN
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Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yildirim has called upon the
international community to work jointly to send back Rohingyas to their
homeland safely and with all facilities in place what they deserve, UNB
reports.
Terming Myanmar's brutal crackdown on its Rohingya minority
"ethnic cleansing", he said it has become urgent for the
international community to put in joint efforts for Rohingyas' safe return toMyanmar.
The Turkish Prime Minister reached Cox's Bazar airport by a special
flight at around 11am on Wednesday and he reached Balukhali Rohingya camp at
about 11:54am.
He inaugurated two field hospitals financed by the Turkish government
and handed over two modern ambulances for the hospitals.
Prime Minister Yildirim had conversations with Rohingya men, women and
children and listened to their horrific stories of tortures.
Rohingyas described what they experienced at the brutal hands of
Myanmar army and appreciated Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's role and for giving
them shelter in Bangladesh.
They demanded citizenship first if they are sent back to Myanmar under
the repatriation agreement signed between Bangladesh and Myanmar.
The Turkish Prime Minister listened to them and assured them of
ensuring all facilities in Myanmar they deserve before the repatriation.
Later, he distributed foodstuff in Kutupalong camp and left the camp at
about 1:30pm.
Foreign Minister AH Mahmood Ali accompanied the Turkish Prime Minister
during the visit.
The Turkish Prime Minister left for home straight from Cox's Bazar at
2:43pm. Foreign Minister Mahmood Ali saw him off at the airport.
On Tuesday, the Turkish Prime Minister highly appreciated Sheikh
Hasina's diplomacy over Rohingya issue and Bangladesh's support to the
displaced people.
He hoped that the bilateral document, signed between Bangladesh and
Myanmar on November 23, will make Rohingyas' return to their home possible
soon.
The Turkish Premier urged the international community to enhance their
support for Rohingyas in Bangladesh and finding a political solution to the
crisis looking at it as a humanitarian crisis instead of seeing it as an issue
of Bangladesh.
On September 7, Turkish First Lady Emine Erdogan visited Rohingya camp
and said what is happening in Myanmar's Rakhine State is "tantamount to
genocide" and solution to Rohingya crisis lies in Myanmar only.
She also affirmed that the government of Turkey will stand beside the
Rohingyas who have fled to Bangladesh in the face of ethnic cleansing in
Myanmar's Rakhine.
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