Rohingyas a major burden on BD economy: Salahuddin

Hosting more than 1.5 million Rohingyas for years has put considerable pressure on Bangladesh's economy, making their safe, voluntary and dignified repatriation the only lasting solution to the crisis, Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed said on Wednesday.

He made the remarks during a meeting with the UN Special Rapporteur on the human rights situation in Myanmar at his office at the Secretariat.

Salahuddin said official records might show a lower figure, but more than 1.5 million Rohingyas were currently living in Bangladesh.

The meeting discussed the political and human rights situation in Myanmar, Rohingya repatriation, border security and law and order in the refugee camps.

The Home Minister called on the international community to play a responsible role following the expected November 19 verdict of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in the Rohingya genocide case.

He also stressed the need for coordinated diplomatic pressure on Myanmar from influential countries and organisations, including China, India, the United States and the European Union.