Bangladesh ambassador meets Republican congressman, briefs him on Rohingya issue

By bdnews24.com

July 24, 2015

Bangladesh Ambassador to the US Mohammad Ziauddin has briefed Republican congressman Dana Rohrabacher on domestic political situation and Rohingya refugee issue.

The embassy said the Congressman wanted to know about Rohingya refugee influx and other major issues of vital interests during the meeting at the Capitol Hill on Wednesday.

Rohrabacher served as a senior speechwriter and Special Assistant to President Ronald Reagan for seven years. 

He is also known as a forceful spokesman for human rights and democracy.

The Muslim minority Rohingya people have taken shelter in Cox’s Bazar district fleeing sectarian violence in Myanmar.

The ambassador cited Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s bilateral visit to Myanmar in 2011, and said Bangladesh was “always proactive with Myanmar for repatriation of Rohingya refugees and stop further influx”.

“But unfortunately the resolution of the problem is still awaited,” he was quoted by the embassy as telling Rohrabacher.

The ambassador said “the systematic push-on of the Rohingya Muslims also contributed to the illegal trespass through the Bay of Bengal”.

The California congressman acknowledged Bangladesh’s support to Rohingya refugees.