Turkish PM wraps up visit seeking global support for Rohingyas

Dhaka, Dec 20 (Just News): Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yildirim on Wednesday 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.

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 to Myanmar.

The Turkish Prime Minister arrived at Cox's Bazar airport by a special flight at around 11am 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.

Some 655,000 Rohingyas have crossed from Myanmar into Bangladesh since August 25.
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.

 (Justnews/ys/2300hr)