Senator Richard Durbin, Congresswoman Betty McCollum, Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky, Congressman David N. Cicilline, U.S. Ambassador to Bangladesh Marcia Bernicat and other officials of the U.S. Embassy in Dhaka were present. The delegation visited the Rohingya Camp in Cox’s Bazar earlier the day.

From Bangladesh side Hon’ble State Minister for Foreign Affairs Mr. Md. Shahriar Alam, MP,the Chair of Parliamentary Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs Dr. Dipu Moni, MP and other members of the Committee, and senior officials of the Government were present.

The Hon’ble Foreign Minister welcomed the U.S. delegation to their maiden visit to Bangladesh. He profusely thanked Senator Merkley for the “very strong” political support from the U.S. President, the Congress, U.S. Department of State and American people on the Rohingya issue.

Hon’ble Foreign Minister also deeply appreciated their visit to Cox’s Bazar this afternoon to have firsthand experience on the gravity and seriousness of the situation. He also expressed his hope to sign an agreement on repatriation of Rohingyas during his forthcoming visit to Myanmar later this week.

Senator Merkley underscored that the delegation came to Bangladesh to bringthe attention of the United States as well as the international community on the Rohingya issue and was looking forward to their successful repatriation to Myanmar. He said that he was impressed by the initiatives undertaken by the Bangladesh Government under the leadership of Hon’ble Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to mobilize support for the Rohingyas. The delegation expressed their gratitude towards the Government of Bangladesh on the humanitarian assistance it is providing to the Rohingyas.

Senator Durbin underlined that what he has experienced at the Rohingya camps today, is “unspeakable” and “unthinkable”.

Both sides agreed to continue to impress upon Myanmar Government on the early, safe and sustained repatriation of the Rohingyas.

Press Release