PM calls for protection of migrant rights
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina yesterday stressed the need for protection and promotion of the rights of migrants and refugees.
“For harmony across our diverse societies, protection and promotion of the rights of migrants and refugees are equally essential,” she said.
The PM was addressing the high-level plenary meeting of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) on addressing large movements of refugees and migrants at the UN headquarters.
She observed that mutual trust and respect, shared responsibility and inclusiveness are critical to comprehensively address the migration issue.
UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, who convened the first-ever Summit on Refugees and Migrants, spoke at the programme, among others. Peter Thompson, president of the 71st UNGA, and Mogens Lykketoft, past UNGA president, were present.
The UN adopted the New York Declaration -- a pledge to protect refugees and migrants. The declaration contains “bold commitments to address current issues and prepare the world for future challenges”.
The organisation hopes to begin negotiations to hold an international conference related to refugees and migrants. It also aims to adopt a “global compact for safe, orderly and regular migration in 2018”.
Speaking at the plenary meeting, Hasina said migration and mobility need to be placed in a new positive narrative.
“Bangladesh has, therefore, proposed a Global Compact on Migration addressing some of the longstanding gaps in migration governance. The Compact must build on the 2030 Agenda, and capture elements and modalities that are ambitious and enforceable, yet balanced and flexible.”
She said the promotion of tolerance and understanding is crucial for accommodating migrants and refugees. “We must all rise above a solely identity-based discourse,” she added.
Describing climate change and the resultant displacement of millions of people as a reality, the premier said the Compact will have to take into account the protection need of millions of climate-displaced people. The World Humanitarian Summit adopted the Partnership for Protection and Development. The global Compact should build on such innovative initiatives.
“Bangladesh, as the current chair of the Global Forum on Migration and Development, will be happy to contribute to the development of the Compact,” Hasina told the meeting.
Earlier, the premier had a meeting with Myanmar State Counsellor and Foreign Minister Aung San Suu Kyi at the UN headquarters.
Commonwealth Secretary-General Patricia Scotland also met the PM.