The government of Bangladesh has set up a new 11-member national committee, led directly by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman. The team’s main goal is to create a clear and lasting plan to help Rohingya refugees return safely to their homeland.
The formation of the “National Committee for Formulating a National Strategy on the Rohingya Issue” was officially announced by the Cabinet Division on Sunday. This high-level group will decide on the main priorities for the return process. It will also help different government ministries, police, and security agencies work together more smoothly.
Prime Minister Tarique Rahman will serve as the leader of the committee. Other top members include the Minister for Home Affairs, the Minister for Foreign Affairs, the Adviser to the Ministry of Finance and Planning, and the Adviser to the Ministry of Defence and Armed Forces Division.
To manage the daily work, the principal staff officer of the Armed Forces Division has been chosen as the chief coordinator. The Directorate General of Forces Intelligence (DGFI) will act as the Member Secretary and provide the team with the necessary staff and office support.
Other senior security leaders on the committee include the heads of the police, National Security Intelligence (NSI), Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB), and the Bangladesh Coast Guard. The Refugee Relief and Repatriation Commissioner, along with five other top officials, will also help the committee with its tasks.
A special smaller team will be formed under the chief coordinator to write down the actual step-by-step plan. This team has been given exactly 90 days to finish the strategy and hand it over to the main national committee.
The new rules allow the committee to change the duties of different security agencies if needed, under the guidance of the Prime Minister. The leadership can also temporarily bring in other military or civilian leaders and experts to help them reach their goals.
