Rohingya Crisis
UN resolution on Rohingyas a pressure on Myanmar: FM
Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen on Thursday said the adoption of a resolution at the United Nations (UN) by consensus for the first time on the “situation of human rights of Rohingya Muslims and other minorities in Myanmar” has a political value and it has a pressure on that particular country.
“It’s a great day for us. We’re very happy,” he told reporters after attending a programme at Bangladesh Institute of International and Strategic Studies (BIISS).
Dr Momen said the countries which used to create barriers like Russia and China also want solutions to the Rohingya crisis and he had discussion with Russia while China has taken some initiatives.
“They (Rohingyas) must go back to their country for a better future. All countries want a peaceful solution to the Rohingya issue,” he said.
Read: UK MoS calls on PM, finds common ground on issues
As fundamental issues regarding the Rohingya crisis were not included in the resolution in June, Bangladesh decided to abstain. “We strongly made our position clear explaining why we abstained at that time,” Dr Momen said.
He said restoration of democracy in Myanmar was highlighted but the return of Rohingyas was not mentioned. “We said resolution will be meaningless if you don’t talk about the Rohingyas.”
Responding to a question, the Foreign Minister said the General Assembly resolution is not a mandatory one while the Security Council resolution is a mandatory one. “We’re yet to see any resolution passed by the UNSC. We’re hopeful that in the future we can see progress there, too.”
“The adoption of the Rohingya resolution, for the first time by consensus, demonstrates the international community’s strong resolve to end this crisis,” said Ambassador Rabab Fatima, Permanent Representative of Bangladesh to the United Nations during the adoption of the resolution on Wednesday.
The resolution was jointly tabled by the member states of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) and the European Union (EU).
In the resolution, the member states commended Bangladesh for its generosity in hosting the Rohingyas, and for providing humanitarian assistance to them and also for including them in the national COVID-19 vaccination drive.
Indonesia to send strong message to Myanmar over Rohingya crisis, says its FM
Indonesia is going to send a strong message to Myanmar seeking steps to resolve the prolonged Rohingya crisis.
“We’re going to send a strong message to Myanmar for resolving the Rohingya crisis,” visiting Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi said when she met Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina at her office.
Sheikh Hasina said another three years have elapsed since the crisis has broken out and Bangladesh’s wait for the reparation of the forcibly displaced Myanmar nationals. “…it’s a huge burden for Bangladesh,” the Prime Minister was quoted as saying.
PM’s press secretary Ihsanul Karim briefed reporters after the meeting.
The Indonesian Foreign Minister conveyed her country’s President’s greetings to the Prime Minister.
Talking about the Covid-19 pandemic, Marsudi lauded Bangladesh for its success in tackling the Covid-19 pandemic situation under the leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. “Indonesia has also been able to bring the situation under control and we’re strict in maintaining health protocols,” she said.
Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen and Principal Secretary Dr Ahmad Kaikaus were present during the meeting.
Read: No religious excesses, says PM Hasina
The Indonesian Foreign Minister arrived in Dhaka to attend the 21st Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) Council of Ministers’ Meeting.
Later, South African Minister for International Relation and Cooperation Dr Pandor, who is also in Dhaka to attend the 21st IORA Meeting, met Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
The Prime Minister told Dr Pandor that the struggle of Nelson Mandela and Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman was the same as both the leaders made tremendous sacrifices apart from languishing in jail for a long time.
“Our aim should be to keep the Indian Ocean peaceful for developing the Blue Economy,” PM’s press secretary Ihsanul Karim quoted the Prime Minister as saying.
The South African Minister for International Relation and Cooperation referred to the pandemic and said South Africa is producing Covid-19 vaccines of Pfizer and Johnson and Johnson.
Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen and Principal Secretary Dr Ahmad Kaikaus were present on the occasion.
Read: Momen stresses importance of a healthy heart to Sylhetis
The Sri Lankan Foreign Affairs Minister Professor GL Peirisin in a separate meeting highly appreciated the economic progress of Bangladesh, especially the online connectivity and business and bank operation, and social safety network.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina mentioned about the micro-savings programmes of the government.
Ihsanul Karim said the Prime Minister also mentioned about the government’s steps to avoid any food scarcity in the country during the post-pandemic situation. “We’ve given a special emphasis on food protection,” she was quoted as saying.
Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen and Principal Secretary Dr Ahmad Kaikaus were present.
Read: Comoros looks for trade deal with Bangladesh
Will follow next polls very closely amid Bangladesh’s growing importance globally: EU
Ambassador and Head of Delegation of the European Union (EU) to Bangladesh Charles Whiteley on Monday said they will be following the next general election “very closely” because the international community is “very interested” in what happens in Bangladesh amid its growing engagement globally as a developing economic power house.
“I think we’ll be following it very closely. Why we’ll be following it very closely is not because we want to interfere but the international community is very interested in what happens in Bangladesh,” he said.
The Ambassador said everybody has a stake in what happens in that election in Bangladesh which is a strategic part of this region and a developing economic power house where ties are developing.
The EU envoy made the remarks while responding to a question at “DCAB Talk” held in a city hotel. Diplomatic Correspondents Association, Bangladesh (DCAB) President Pantho Rahaman and its General Secretary AKM Moinuddin also spoke at the event.
Read: GSP-plus vulnerability criteria: BGMEA thanks EU for removing 7.4% import-share threshold
Ambassador Whiteley said the key word around elections is exactly the “process” and elections are not events.
Dhaka makes 5-point call; seeks time-bound action plan to deal with Covid
Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen has made a five-point recommendation, including the necessity of undertaking a time-bound action plan, supported by financing and capacity building, for addressing the unwarranted vaccine gap for many low- and middle-income countries.
He made the recommendations during a virtual Covid-19 Ministerial meeting held recently.
Dr Momen attended the meeting at the invitation of United States Secretary of State Antony J Bliken.
Read: France firmly with Bangladesh over Rohingya issue: FM Momen
The meeting was also attended by the foreign ministers of around 25 countries, said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Friday.
Dr Momen suggested convening a high-level panel by the WHO featuring select global leaders to devise a blueprint for preventing and managing future pandemic, ideally with gender and geographic balance.
In his third recommendation, the Foreign Minister called for the US and the WHO to take the lead in convening an expert working group on the question of strengthening national-level disease control agencies.
He also mentioned supporting the vaccine manufacturing capabilities in certain countries like Bangladesh in the Global South, in a meaningful manner through appropriate interventions concerning intellectual property rights and technology transfer.
In his fifth recommendation, Dr Momen called for factoring the linkage between climate change and biodiversity loss with pandemic outbreaks in the collective efforts to build back better, greener and stronger from the pandemic.
Read: US announces another 14mn Pfizer jabs for Bangladesh
In his statement during the meeting, the Foreign Minister highlighted the fact that Bangladesh has managed to keep the fatality rate lower than the global average.
He also informed that the infection rate in Bangladesh remains under 1 percent at present.
Contrary to some dire projections, Dr Momen said, Bangladesh managed to keep the infection and death rates absolutely minimal in the congested Rohingya camps Cox’s Bazar.
Dr Momen reiterated Bangladesh’s demand that the Covid-19 vaccines should be declared as ‘global public good’ to make them affordable to all countries.
He also urged that pharmaceutical companies, including those in Bangladesh, should be encouraged and assisted to produce Covid-19; and stated that Bangladesh stands ready to contribute to global vaccines production for sharing with others.
Recalling that Bangladesh has so far administered 78 million vaccine doses, with 46 million single doses and 32 million double doses, Minister Momen stated that the target is to vaccinate 80% of Bangladesh’s target population group by March 2022, and continued supply of vaccines is required for that.
The Foreign Minister underscored the fact that no country would remain completely safe until the mutating coronavirus is brought under control in all corners of the globe, and for this there is no other option but to ensure inclusive international cooperation, leaving no one behind.
He stressed the necessity to have strong partnership and collaboration among the foreign ministers to step up political support in such critical situations at present and also in the future.
Earlier, US Secretary of State Blinken urged the foreign ministers to work together to address the challenges posed by the pandemic, and announced the launch of a Covid Data Tracker.
Stating that vaccines will be made available in conflict-affected areas, he said a concerted work would be undertaken to meet the estimated shortfall of 550 million doses of vaccines required to bring the entire target population group under vaccination coverage.
Secretary Blinken presided over the sessions, with IMF Managing Director, US NIH Director and WHO Director General setting the scene.
In addition to the Bangladesh Foreign Minister, the Foreign Ministers of the EU, France, Germany, Spain, Italy, Norway, Romania, Canada, Mexico, Chile, Peru, India, Indonesia, the Maldives, ROK, South Africa, Senegal and Kenya were invited to speak.
The Senior Representatives of the African Union, Pacific Island Forum and League of Arab States, Organisation of American States also spoke at the event.
France firmly with Bangladesh over Rohingya issue: FM Momen
French leaders have assured Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina that France is firmly with Bangladesh in finding a permanent solution to the protracted Rohingya issue, said Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen.
“We’ll firmly remain beside you (Bangladesh) so that this crisis could end with a permanent solution,” the Foreign Minister quoted the French leaders as saying.
He said this while briefing reporters here about Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s recent talks with various high-profile leaders of France, including French President Emmanuel Macron and Prime Minister Jean Castex.
The Foreign Minister said the Rohingya issue came up prominently during the meetings with all the French leaders, especially the French President.
Read: Speakers call for mounting int'l pressure on Myanmar to resolve Rohingya crisis
During the meetings, the French leaders were informed by the Bangladesh side that the country was trying to have a permanent solution to the crisis through various channels.
“We’ve been trying bilaterally, trilaterally and multilaterally. Even we went to the International Criminal Court,” said Foreign Minister Momen.
He mentioned that the problem was created by Myanmar and the solution also lies with them.
After the recent military coup in Myanmar, he said, Bangladesh did not have any direct discussion with its military rulers.
“We have told them (French leaders) that the western world still continues their businesses with them (Myanmar). They need to stop it in a bid to create pressure on them,” he said.
The French leaders, however, wanted to know whether this is possible to advance the dialogue for repatriation during the military government.
“We have told them that there were military governments in Myanmar in the 70s and the 90s when they had repatriated Rohingyas from Bangladesh,” he said.
Read: EU to remain “steadfast partner” of Bangladesh on Rohingya front: Envoy
The Foreign Minister said some 253,000 Rohingyas had entered Bangladesh in 1992 and 236,000 of them went back through dialogue and discussions. The same thing happened in the 1970s, Momen added.
“We have informed them (France) that there was no conflict in Rakhine state in the last four years. There’s no violence there. So, it’s the right time for the repatriation of Rohingyas,” he said, adding that the French top leaders were apprised that Bangladesh has good relations with its neighbours.
Dr Momen said Myanmar had agreed to take the Rohingyas back.
“They had said they would provide guaranteed safety and security. They had also agreed to create a conducive environment for their dignified return. But they’re implementing nothing,” he said.
As the French leaders asked Bangladesh whether the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) had been informed, the Foreign Minister said, “Yes, we’ve informed Asean. They (France) said they’ve talked to Asean. They asked Asean to take a strong step.”
Asean is slow and it cannot say anything on internal issues of any member country, the Bangladesh side said. “There was a long discussion (with French leaders on the Rohingya issue).”
Read: Dhaka shares with Paris security risks from Rohingya crisis
Dr Momen said Bangladesh told the French leaders to take the issue at the security council.
PM’s Press secretary Ihsanul Karim was, among others, present at the briefing.
Dhaka shares with Paris security risks from Rohingya crisis
Bangladesh has highlighted the potential security risks from the Rohingya crisis for the region and urged the international community to play a constructive role in resolving the crisis.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and French President Emmanuel Macron had a bilateral meeting on Tuesday and discussed issues of mutual interest, including the Rohingya crisis.
Read: Gun factory in Rohingya camp: 3 held with 10 guns
The two countries underscored the need to ensure funding for the UN’s Joint Response Plan for the Rohingya in Bangladesh and enable their voluntary, safe, dignified and sustainable return to Myanmar as soon as possible.
France welcomed Bangladesh’s generosity in providing shelter to the Rohingyas, who were forced to flee violence by Myanmar security forces in their home country.
France and Bangladesh noted the significant pressure caused by the Rohingya crisis on Bangladesh, particularly for communities living adjacent to the camps.
At the invitation of French President Emmanuel Macron, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is making an official visit to France from November 9.
Both countries welcomed the French Development Agency (AFD)’s long-term partnership with Bangladesh.
Read: Speakers call for mounting int'l pressure on Myanmar to resolve Rohingya crisis
Through the activities of the AFD and in response to Bangladesh’s national development strategies, France is committed to continuing support for Bangladesh’s health system as well as the blue economy, energy and water sectors.
Both sides welcomed the signing of the Credit Facility Agreements on health systems strengthening and setting up a water treatment plant.
Following the COP26 in Glasgow, France and Bangladesh reaffirmed their shared determination to strengthen cooperation for the environment, the fight against climate change and the promotion of sustainable growth, as part of the overall 2030 Agenda.
France commended Bangladesh’s leadership of the Climate Vulnerable Forum and both sides agreed to work towards securing climate financing committed under the Paris Climate Agreement.
France and Bangladesh agreed to facilitate scientific and academic research through collaboration and exchange at the institutional level. France further agreed to offer specialized courses for diplomatic and military professionals of Bangladesh in relevant French institutions.
Read: President urges world leaders to take effective steps to solve Rohingya problem
The two countries also stated their desire to promote the use of the French language in Bangladesh and the Bangla language in France, and would like to support the role of the Alliances Françaises in Dhaka and Chittagong.
Both parties are convinced that this visit will turn a new chapter in further strengthening the bilateral partnership between France and Bangladesh.
Speakers call for mounting int'l pressure on Myanmar to resolve Rohingya crisis
Speakers at a webinar on Tuesday urged the international community to keep pressure on Myanmar and its military to resolve the Rohingya crisis by repatriating the forcibly displaced people to their home in Rakhine State.
Bangladesh Institute of International and Strategic Studies (BIISS) and Bangabandhu Centre for Bangladesh Studies Canada jointly organized the webinar titled “The Rohingya Exodus in Bangladesh : Regional and Global Security Implications.”
Professor Dr Imtiaz Ahmed, Director, Centre for Genocide Studies, University of Dhaka, delivered his lecture as keynote speaker.
Also read: EU to remain “steadfast partner” of Bangladesh on Rohingya front: Envoy
Major General Md. Emdad-Ul-Bari, Director General, BIISS, delivered the welcome address and Dr Khalilur Rahman, High Commissioner of Bangladesh to Canada made the concluding remarks.
Prof Imtiaz said that the international community has the responsibility to solve this issue as it is a humanitarian crisis.
"They should keep pressure on Myanmar military. More countries should come forward to support and solve this crisis," he said.
In his speech Emad-Ul-Bari said Myanmar is facing trouble to manage its ethnic issues since its birth as an independent state.
The forceful expulsion of Rohingya started in 1978. In August 2017, Myanmar drove out the largest number of Rohingyas into Bangladesh.
From then, he said, an internal issue of Myanmar, has transcended to across the countries threatening the security issues of south and southeast Asia.
The prime concern for Bangladesh now is the sustainable repatriation of the Rohingyas, Emad-Ul-Bari said.
Bangladesh opened formal negotiations with Myanmar on this issue in October 2017.
Both countries signed a deal on 23 November 2017 for the possible repatriation of Rohingyas.
Thereafter, two abortive attempts have been made to start voluntary return.
Also read: Additional €12 mn to be provided for Rohingyas, host community: EU
Consequently, about 10 agreements between the two countries including those in areas of land boundary management, prevention of narcotics, trade and transport etc. have not gone as desired.
He emphasized that the problem was created by Myanmar and its solution must be found in Myanmar.
"The Rohingya crisis needs to be resolved with utmost priority. It is the responsibility of the international community to act proactively to solve this humanitarian crisis," Bari said.
The executive director of Bangabandhu Centre for Bangladesh Studies ( BCBS) Dr. Kawser
Ahmed mentioned that the recent military takeover in Myanmar added new dimension to the Rohingya crisis.
Repatriation of 1.1 million Rohingyas to the secured home in Rakhine State in Myanmar always remained a priority.
He called for bringing the perpetrators of genocide and crime against humanity among the Rohingya population under justice.
Senior officials from different ministries, ambassadors and high commissioners, senior civil and military officials, media, academia, teachers and students from different universities participated in the webinar and shared their opinions in the open discussion session.
EU to remain “steadfast partner” of Bangladesh on Rohingya front: Envoy
Head of Delegation of the European Union (EU) to Bangladesh Ambassador Charles Whiteley has said they will continue to be a “steadfast partner” of Bangladesh in meeting the needs of the Rohingya and the host community with continued pressure on Myanmar for their safe return to their place of origin in Rakhine State.
“Clearly, I think, the majority of the Rohingya do want to go back to home,” he told UNB in an interview mentioning that everyone, including the government of Bangladesh, underlined that any return has to be “voluntary and safe” for the refugees.
Responding to a question on the EU's business link with Myanmar, the EU envoy said they are very careful when it comes to the economy as some people say why the EU does not suspend the Everything But Arms (EBA) scheme.
Read: ‘Sky is the limit’, says new EU envoy eyeing dynamic relations with Bangladesh
Myanmar has been a member of the World Trade Organization (WTO) since 1995 and, as a least developed country, benefits from the EBA scheme, which grants unilateral duty- and quota-free access for all exports, except arms and ammunition, to the EU.
Urge ASEAN, QUAD friends to distance from Myanmar military: Dhaka to Washington
Bangladesh Ambassador to the United States M Shahidul Islam has said the USA can persuade its friends in ASEAN and QUAD to distance themselves from the Myanmar military forces so that they refrain from culpability in the genocide.
He sought more support from the USA in resolving the Rohingya crisis with mounting pressure on Myanmar.
"Bangladesh believes that the United States can do more to mobilize international pressure on Myanmar to end the Rohingya crisis," said the Bangladesh envoy while addressing a webinar.
Read:Myanmar skips ASEAN summit to protest general's exclusion
The United States may bring the Rohingya issue on the G-7 Summit agenda to show the strong resolve of the international community for a solution to the Rohingya crisis, said the Ambassador.
Atlantic Council, a leading think tank based in Washington DC, in partnership with Bangladesh Embassy in Washington DC, hosted the webinar titled “A new Bhashan Char agreement: What now for the Rohingya in Bangladesh” on Wednesday night.
Atlantic Council’s South Asia Centre featured Ambassador Shahidul Islam, who delivered keynote speech on the theme of the event and participated in a question-and-answer session.
Senior Director of Atlantic Council’s South Asia Centre Irfan Nooruddin gave an introductory remark while non-resident senior fellow Rudabeh Shahid moderated the event.
The United States may cancel all types of preferential treatment, including GSP facilities enjoyed by Myanmar, said the envoy.
Additional €12 mn to be provided for Rohingyas, host community: EU
European Commissioner for Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Management Janez Lenarcic has said the European Union (EU) decided to increase their humanitarian assistance by an additional €12 million – €10 million for the Rohingyas and host community in Bangladesh, and €2 million will go to Myanmar for displaced people in Rakhine State.
During his visit, Lenarcic shed light on the Rohingya crisis and the prospect of the return of the Myanmar nationals to their homeland.
"This requires the additional engagement of the international humanitarian community, including the donor agencies and the government of Bangladesh to continue to provide support to the Rohingya community," said the European Commissioner, adding that the EU will do its part.
He appreciated Bangladesh's progress in disaster preparedness and assured continued support from the European Union (EU).
"I'm looking forward to our continued cooperation. In this area also, Bangladesh can count the solidarity of the European Union," he said in a video statement Wednesday night on his Bangladesh visit.
Read: EU lauds Bangladesh’s leadership on climate front