PM to head national committee on Rohingya repatriation strategy

The government has formed an 11-member National Strategy Formulation Committee on Rohingya Affairs, headed by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, to prepare a national strategy for the swift and sustainable repatriation of Rohingyas.

The Cabinet Division issued a notification to this effect today.

Tap Here to Add The Daily Star As A Trusted Source

The committee comprises the home minister, foreign minister, adviser to the ministries of finance and planning, adviser to the ministry of defence and Armed Forces Division, inspector general of police (IGP), director general of the National Security Intelligence (NSI), director general of Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB), and director general of the Bangladesh Coast Guard.

The principal staff officer (PSO) of the Armed Forces Division will serve as the committee's chief coordinator, while the director general of the Directorate General of Forces Intelligence (DGFI) will act as its member-secretary.

According to the notification, the member-secretary, under the direct supervision of the chief coordinator, will form a board to prepare the National Strategy on Rohingya Affairs. The board has been tasked with formulating the strategy within 90 days and submitting it to the National Committee on Rohingya Affairs.

The strategy will outline specific responsibilities for relevant ministries and organisations to facilitate the swift and sustainable repatriation of Rohingyas.

The notification also named five officials to assist the committee: the refugee relief and repatriation commissioner (RRRC), additional inspector general of the Special Branch (SB), additional director general (operations) of BGB, director (border) of NSI, and director of the Social Stability Intelligence Bureau (SSIB).

The committee will determine priorities on key issues related to Rohingya repatriation, monitor inter-agency implementation, and define the roles and responsibilities of law enforcement agencies and other organisations involved in the repatriation process.