Keeping Rohingyas in Bangladesh seemingly a business to some: PM
"It seems that some people are benefitting from the presence of Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh," Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today said in response to a question during a media briefing.
She was briefing the media virtually -- from Gono Bhaban -- about her recently-concluded visit to United States to attend the 76th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA).
"As if everything is business," she said, adding that the international community does not respond positively to the topic of Rohingya repatriation.
"I'm very sorry to say this, but it seems that for some agencies, keeping refugees is like a business," she said.
"Otherwise they wouldn't have any job," she added.
There are some who are sincere, but for others it seems to be a business, she also said.
About the next general election and BNP she said that, as the party has no chance of winning, they are trying to make the polls appear "controversial".
"They know they don't have any chance of winning the election. So, they are trying to make it seem controversial, create confusion among people and harm them by any means," she said while replying to a question.
"They [BNP] know they won't win. Where is the leadership? One is a convicted for misappropriating the funds of orphans and another is a fugitive as he was convicted in the August 21 grenade attack and 10-truck arms haul cases. They are still in [party] leadership. If this is the case, why would people vote for them?" she questioned.
"They have no faith that they can win the polls," she added.
PM Hasina paid an official visit to New York, USA during September 19-24 to attend the 76th UNGA sessions and other high-level events.
She returned home on October 1 after visiting Washington DC, from September 25 to 30.
During her stay in New York, Sheikh Hasina addressed the general debate of the 76th session of the UNGA on September 24.
She delivered her speech in Bangla, following the footsteps of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, she said.
The premier also attended several high-level and closed-door meetings as well as bilateral talks with heads of governments, states and organisations.
PM Sheikh Hasina talked about climate change, Rohingya repatriation, vaccine equity and other issues.
UN-sponsored Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN) also conferred Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina with "SDG Progress Award" for Bangladesh's steady course in responding to the universal call to action to end poverty during the visit.
She planted a tree sapling and inaugurated a bench at the UN Gardens in North Lawn of UN Headquarters in honour of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman on September 20, marking his birth centenary.
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