Rohingya Crisis: JS body for diplomatic move at UNGA

A parliamentary body yesterday suggested that the foreign ministry launch a vigorous diplomatic initiative and raise prominently the Myanmar government's atrocities against Rohingyas in the upcoming UN General Assembly to get international support for a peaceful solution. 

The parliamentary standing committee on foreign affairs came up with the suggestion in a meeting at the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban with Awami League lawmaker Dipu Moni in the chair.

In the meeting, foreign ministry officials told that Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina would deliver her speech at the UNGA on September 21, and they took necessary measures to raise the Rohingya issue there with due importance.

They also informed the parliamentary watchdog that the foreign ministry was going to hold "Bangladesh Envoys Conference" in November with the participation of all ambassadors and high commissioners of the country working abroad.

The three-day conference, first of its kind in the country, will start on November 7, meeting sources said.

Asked about the conference," ruling AL lawmaker Faruk Khan, who was present at the meeting, said apart from the Rohingya issue, the programme would discuss the country's foreign policy, international relations, welfare of overseas workers, flow of remittance, and trade with different countries.

He also said the conference would also talk about the Bangladesh's embassy and high commission's role in this regard. “The conference will help find out weakness of our embassies, if any.”

The JS body also recommended preparing booklets and documentaries on the Liberation War in 1971 and sending those to Bangladesh missions abroad.