Ukhiya, Oct 16 (V7N) – A 11-member delegation of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs visited Rohingya camps in Ukhiya, Cox’s Bazar, on Thursday to review living conditions, humanitarian assistance and the status of repatriation.
Led by committee chairperson Joharat Adib Chowdhury, the delegation spoke with Rohingya refugees, who urged the Bangladesh government to help facilitate their safe return to Myanmar.
The delegation first visited the Rohingya Heritage Centre in Camp 6 in Kutupalong, Ukhiya. Members viewed exhibits documenting the history, heritage, culture and identity of the Rohingya community.
Officials briefed the delegation on preserved identity cards, historical photographs, items related to political representation and more than 200 rare documents housed at the centre.
The collection provides an opportunity to preserve and learn about Rohingya history and cultural identity amid years of displacement.
The delegation later visited the Turkish Hospital in Camp 9 and the World Food Programme’s food distribution centre in Camp 4 to observe ongoing services and humanitarian assistance for refugees.
Members then attended an exchange-of-views meeting with Rohingya people from different professional and social backgrounds at the Darbar Hall in Camp 4.
During the meeting, refugees spoke about their prolonged hardships, uncertain future and desire to return to their homeland. They called on Bangladesh to take initiatives to facilitate their repatriation to Myanmar with security and dignity ensured.
Syed Ullah, founding president of UCR, also called for safe and dignified repatriation, saying the Rohingya wanted to return to their homeland and that their security, rights and dignity must be guaranteed.
Safe and voluntary repatriation remains central to efforts to resolve the Rohingya crisis, while refugees continue to emphasise the need for adequate security and protection of their rights before returning.
The delegation included committee chairperson Joharat Adib Chowdhury and members SK Azizul Bari, Saeed Al Noman, Sanjida Islam and Mir Ahmed Bin Quasem.
Cox’s Bazar-4 lawmaker Shahjahan Chowdhury, Refugee Relief and Repatriation Commissioner Mizanur Rahman and Ukhiya Upazila BNP President and former upazila chairman Sarwar Jahan Chowdhury also accompanied the delegation.
After completing the visit, the delegation departed for Cox’s Bazar.
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