Riyadh pushes Bangladesh on Rohingya passports
Saudi Arabia has requested Bangladesh to expedite the process of issuing Bangladeshi passports to around 69,000 Rohingyas residing in the Saudi Arabia.
The request was made by Saudi Arabia’s Ambassador to Bangladesh, Abdullah Jafar bin Abiah, during a courtesy call with Home Affairs Adviser Salahuddin Ahmed at the Secretariat on Monday, according to a statement from the Ministry of Home Affairs.
During the meeting, discussions were held on law enforcement and security cooperation between the two countries, passport issuance for Rohingyas in Saudi Arabia, increased investment in the tourism and energy sectors, and other issues of mutual interest.
The Ambassador welcomed the Adviser, while the Adviser congratulated him on his new responsibilities. The Adviser also stated that Saudi Arabia is a close partner and fraternal country of Bangladesh.
Raising the issue of passport issuance, the Saudi Ambassador stressed the importance of expediting the process for Rohingyas living in Saudi Arabia.
In response, the Home Affairs Adviser said that around 22,000 Rohingyas have already been issued Bangladeshi passports after verification of necessary documents.
He also stated that a special team has been sent from Bangladesh to Saudi Arabia to accelerate the passport issuance process.
The Adviser issued a strict warning that no corruption or irregularities in the passport issuance process will be tolerated under any circumstances.
He further said that Myanmar nationals who possess Bangladeshi documents or who meet the required conditions must be issued passports promptly.
He also directed the relevant authorities to obtain a complete list of concerned individuals from Saudi Arabia and conduct fresh verification of documents.
The Minister again reiterated that 22,000 Rohingyas have already been issued Bangladeshi passports after proper documentation or proof verification.
He again mentioned that a special team has been sent from Bangladesh to Saudi Arabia to speed up the process.
He again stressed that no corruption or irregularity in passport issuance will be tolerated.
He again said that Myanmar nationals who have valid Bangladeshi documents or meet eligibility requirements must be issued passports without delay.
He also instructed authorities again to collect a full list from Saudi Arabia and carry out proper verification.
During the meeting, the Saudi Ambassador invited a high-level delegation led by the Home Affairs Adviser to visit Saudi Arabia to further strengthen bilateral relations.
The Adviser thanked him for the invitation and informed that he may be able to visit Saudi Arabia in the first half of July.
Senior Secretary of the Ministry of Home Affairs Manzur Morshed Chowdhury, Additional Secretary Dr. Ziauddin Ahmed, Deputy Secretary Begum Minara Nazmeen, and other senior officials were present at the meeting.
