End rights violations in Rakhine

Queen Elizabeth greets Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina before The Queen's Dinner during The Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting at Buckingham Palace in London on Thursday. Photo: AFP

Commonwealth member countries have called for a halt to all violence, restoration of normality and accountability of the perpetrators for gross violations of human rights in Myanmar's Rakhine State through an independent investigation.

The heads of governments of the commonwealth states made the call in a joint communiqué unanimously adopted on the concluding day of the 25th CHOGM summit here yesterday.

The member states called for sustainable return of all displaced Rohingyas sheltered in Bangladesh to their rightful homes in Myanmar under UNHCR oversight.

Besides, Commonwealth leaders called for creation of necessary conditions for their sustainable return in safety, security and dignity.

Praising Bangladesh's role over the Rohingya issue, the leaders expressed full solidarity with the government and the people of Bangladesh affected by the influx of Rohingyas.

The statement said the leaders of the 53-country platform commended Bangladesh and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina for providing shelter to the distressed humanity facing an existential threat.

The heads of governments also stressed actions to address the root causes of the current crisis, including through immediate implementation of the Kofi Annan Commission recommendations.

Opposing the use of chemical weapons under any circumstances, the heads of the member states expressed commitment to strengthen the effective implementation of the chemical weapons convention.

The leaders reiterated their pledge to strengthening the disarmament and non-proliferation regime against the spread and use of chemical weapons, the communiqué said.

They also condemned violent extremism in all its forms, expressed their continued support of the UN secretary-general's plan of action to prevent violent extremism.

'IMPLEMENT C'WEALTH DECLARATIONS'

Placing a three-point recommendation, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina yesterday called for early implementation of the Commonwealth Declarations on its comprehensive reform, connectivity and cyber governance.

She urged the Commonwealth Secretariat to frame an appropriate action plan and work out programmes in consultation with the member states to this end.

The PM made the call during the retreat session on the second day of the 25th CHOGM summit in London.

About the Commonwealth reform, Hasina said, “The organisation in its present form, structure and orientations is inadequate and can only partially meet expectations of the peoples.”

She called for formation of an eminent persons' group to make recommendations on necessary reforms, creation of a Development Fund and a Platform to achieve SDGs; and enhancing Commonwealth Parliamentary Association's role in protecting and promoting political values.

Hasina also stressed ensuring a greater role of the private sector and various professional groups in Commonwealth's programmes.

While attending the Retreat Agenda on the Global Context, the PM said trade, investment and connectivity are the key to a more prosperous future.

She said trade connectivity through a rules-based, transparent, inclusive and fair multilateral trade regime is crucial.

She also mentioned that Bangladesh has been working for the implementation of Bangladesh-Bhutan-India-Nepal (BBIN) sub-regional connectivity project.