Voluntary return of Rohingyas to Myanmar only solution
Calling upon the world community to address the Rohingya crisis, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina yesterday said voluntary return of the Rohingyas to their homes in safety, security and dignity was the only solution to the crisis.
The crisis not only destabilises Bangladesh but also territories beyond the country, she said at the plenary session of the 18th Summit of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) in Baku.
“We’re currently hosting over 1.1 million Rohingyas. It has the potential to destabilise our country and beyond. We’re constrained to seek support of the international community in resolving the crisis. Voluntary return of the Rohingyas to their homes in the Rakhine State in safety, security and dignity is the only solution to the crisis,” said Hasina.
The session titled “Upholding the Bandung Principles to ensure concerted and adequate response to the challenges of contemporary world” was held at Baku Congress Centre.
Hasina said the Rohingya crisis is a political one deeply rooted in Myanmar. “Thus, its solution has to be found inside Myanmar.”
Despite the socio-economic successes, Bangladesh is currently dealing with two challenges -- Rohingya crisis and adverse impacts of climate change, she said.
Meanwhile, during meetings with Hasina at Baku Congress Centre, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani and Malaysian PM Mahathir Mohamad assured her of help in resolving the Rohingya crisis.
About impacts of the climate change, Hasina at the plenary session said although Bangladesh has little responsibility for global warming, it is suffering heavily from its devastating impacts.
“The international response to climate change, particularly that of developed countries, must, therefore, fully respect the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change,” she said.
The PM said Bangladesh has been making unprecedented socio-economic progress. “Our GDP growth has now reached 8.13 percent. We’re making continuous efforts in strengthening democracy and justice by empowering people, especially women.”
She pointed out that Bangladesh’s successes in poverty reduction, primary healthcare, women’s empowerment, gender equality and gender parity in education have been widely acclaimed by the international community.
Hasina said Bangladesh is a country of religious harmony. “We’ve taken tough stance against terrorism, extremism, drug trafficking and corruption. Our actions have restored peace and stability in the society.”
About Palestine, the PM said the Palestine question is one of the most difficult problems in recent history.
“Justice for the people of Palestine remains elusive due to a lack of strong actions by the international community to ensure accountability of the Israeli occupation forces. Bangladesh firmly believes the illegal occupation must come to an end.”
Hasina congratulated Azerbaijan for assuming the chairmanship of NAM and assured Bangladesh’s full support and cooperation to Azerbaijan President Ilham Aliyev.
She said Bangladesh is a strong believer in the goals of NAM, noting that the NAM principles have in many ways defined the foreign policy of Bangladesh.
In 1973, recognising the importance of NAM, Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman decided to join the organisation in its Algiers’ Summit.
“Peace and security is an overriding concern for us. Prejudice, ignorance and vested interests stand in the way of world peace and harmony,” said Hasina.
She said misunderstanding and cross-cultural ignorance are among the root causes of conflict. In the age of globalisation and digitalisation, clashes among cultures, too, can have damaging impact on peace and security.
“We must remind ourselves that it took thousands of years of efforts to achieve contemporary values of modern civilisation. We must strive together for peace, stability and harmony. We must move beyond minority-majority mindset,” Hasina said.
While the United Nations is primarily responsible for dealing with violent conflicts in many parts of the world, NAM can play an active role in the protection, maintenance and consolidation of peace, she said.
“We should work together to utilise the strength and influence of NAM to prevent any country from destabilising any region,” she said.
She said Bangladesh considers disarmament as an instrument for enhancing international security and has always been active in promoting disarmament. Bangladesh has also pledged firm and determined commitment to nuclear non-proliferation and its peaceful use, she added.
With the adoption of the 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda, NAM principles are once again upheld at the UN, said the PM.
“We should stand together in conforming to what we agreed in 2015 to reduce inequality within and among countries,” she said.
HASINA MEETS ROUHANI
Iranian President Rouhani said his country would work to mount international pressure on Myanmar to resolve the Rohingya crisis.
He gave this assurance during a meeting with Hasina at Baku Congress Centre.
Briefing reporters, Foreign Secretary Shahidul Haque said Rouhani thanked Hasina for sheltering Rohingyas.
Hasina thanked the Iranian president for his country’s support to Bangladesh on the Rohingya issue.
Both the leaders vowed to work unitedly against terrorism.
MEETING WITH MAHATHIR
Malaysian PM Mahathir assured Dhaka that Kuala Lumpur and other Asean member states would do whatever necessary for resolving the Rohingya crisis.
Mahathir said this during a meeting with Hasina at the same venue.
Briefing reporters, Foreign Secretary Shahidul Haque said Mahathir strongly feels that genocide was committed against Rohingyas and the perpetrators should be brought to book.
He strongly condemned the oppression on the Rohingyas in Myanmar and said the Malaysian field hospital in Cox’s Bazar would continue its operation.
He requested Hasina to inform him about Bhashanchar where Bangladesh has prepared a shelter for the Rohingyas temporarily.
Hasina apprised him of security and other related issues for the Rohingyas in Bhashanchar as well as the present condition of Rohingyas in Cox’s Bazar.
Mahathir also talked about the safety and security of the Bangladeshi expatriates living in Malaysia and said his government would try to take more manpower from Bangladesh.
He also mentioned that Malaysian investment in Bangladesh would be increased.
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