Foreign Minister Hasan Mahmud on Sunday said Bangladesh has been following the path of “negotiations” through diplomatic channels avoiding provocations from Myanmar and other international actors.
“There were provocations from Myanmar and other international actors. We did not step into those provocations. Rather, we have taken the path of negotiations. We are following the diplomatic path to seek a solution to the crisis and repatriation is the only solution,” he said while speaking as the chief guest at a discussion at the Jatiya Press Club (JPC).

Overseas Correspondents Association Bangladesh (OCAB) hosted the discussion titled “Rohingya Crisis: The Future Road Ahead” marking its 45th founding anniversary.
Former state minister for Foreign Affairs and member of the parliamentary standing committee on foreign affairs Md Shahriar Alam spoke as the special guest while former OCAB president and UNB Editor Farid Hossain delivered the keynote speech.

Daily Observer Editor Iqbal Sobhan Chowdhury, former JPC president Shawkat Mahmud, BSS Managing Editor Anisur Rahman, Dhaka University’s International Relations Department Prof Dr Delwar Hossain, Associate Professor of Peace and Conflict Studies Dr Md Touhidul Islam, OCAB General Secretary Julhas Alam, Dhaka Reporters Unity President Syed Shukur Ali Shuvo and Diplomatic Correspondents Association, Bangladesh President Nurul Islam Hasib, among others, spoke at the discussion chaired by OCAB President Nazrul Islam.

The foreign minister said the remaining Rohingyas in Myanmar are feeling encouraged to come to Bangladesh hearing that there are few opportunities for third-country resettlement.
Hasan said though such third-country resettlement is very few it becomes “counterproductive” as such a message goes to the Rohingyas in Myanmar.
In 2019, Gambia, with the backing of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, filed a case against Myanmar at the International Court of Justice (ICJ), accusing them of violating the Genocide Convention.
In January 2020, the ICJ adopted provisional orders ordering Myanmar to prevent all genocidal acts against the Rohingya.

“If we continue the international pressure and a positive verdict comes from the ICJ, Myanmar will feel the pressure for repatriation,” he said.
Hasan said the number of Rohingyas in Bangladesh is now 1.3 million which might reach 1.5 million soon.
Meanwhile, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk on Sunday appealed to Bangladesh to once again extend protection to vulnerable people seeking safety, and for the international community to provide all necessary support.
“I am deeply alarmed by reports of renewed violence and property destruction in Buthidaung township in Myanmar’s northern Rakhine state, resulting in the displacement of potentially tens of thousands of civilians, mainly Rohingya," he said, commenting on violence in Myanmar’s Rakhine state.