Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has urged the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) to take initiatives for creating a large international fund to help the Rohingyas in Bangladesh. The prime minister made the remarks during a meeting with visiting UNDP Goodwill Ambassador and Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden. After the meeting, PM's Speechwriter Nazrul Islam briefed reporters on Monday (March 18). Including Rohingya issue, various bilateral and multilateral issues along with climate change were discussed in the meeting.  

State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shahriar Alam pitches for ASEAN’s active role in repatriation of the forcibly displaced Rohingyas. State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shahriar Alam underscored an active role of the regional countries including ASEAN for the safe and sustainable repatriation of the Rohingyas, end of the armed conflicts and a peaceful transition to a civilian administration through elections in Myanmar. He shared the views at the 2-day Oslo Forum hosted by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Norway in association with the Geneva-based Centre for Humanitarian Dialogue on 13-14 June in Oslo, Norway. The event drew retreats for over 100 international mediators and experts in sharing their perspectives and assessing the state of mediation and peacemaking against a backdrop of rising geopolitical tensions and rivalry, increasing conflict and the growing impact of climate change, social media and other factors that fuel conflicts. The Forum held open discussion on diplomatic developments in geopolitical hotspots, particularly war in Ukraine, Sudan, Yemen, and other conflict areas, including Myanmar, Afghanistan, Somalia, Ethiopia as well as ways to prevent, interrupt or end conflicts. The Oslo Forum 2023 was opened by Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre and attended by, among others, Foreign Ministers of Norway, Indonesia and Colombia, and Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court. State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shahriar Alam attended the event at the invitation of Norwegian Foreign Minster Anniken Huitfeldt. During the visit to Oslo on 13-14 June 2023, State Minister Shahriar Alam also held bilateral meetings with the Norwegian Minister of Fisheries and Ocean Policy Bjørnar Selnes Skjæran and State Secretary of Foreign Affairs Erling Rimestad. Bangladesh Ambassador to Sweden, Norway and Finland Mehdi Hasan and Director General (West Europe and EU) of Foreign Ministry Kazi Russel Pervez accompanied the State Minister during the visit.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina sought United Nations (UN) assistance to relocate the forcibly displaced Myanmar nationals to the well-developed Bhashanchar as UN Resident Coordinator to Bangladesh Gwyn Lewis paid a courtesy call on her. "As there is no certainty of sending Rohingyas back soon to their country, they should be relocated to the well-organised Bhashanchar and the UN can cooperate to this end," PM's Speechwriter M Nazrul Islam quoted her as saying. Nazrul Islam briefed reporters after the call on at PM's official Ganabhaban residence here this morning. The prime minister said the Rohingyas are currently living a congested life in their camps in Cox's Bazar. "If the Rohingyas can be relocated to the Bhashanchar, where accommodations for over one lakh people have been created with livelihoods, they can lead a dignified life in a livable atmosphere," she said. In the Bhashanchar, there are arrangements for better livelihoods and education for the children of the Rohingyas with their native language, she added. The prime minister said they have sheltered the huge number of Rohingyas in Bangladesh on the humanitarian ground, but they are now becoming a massive burden for Bangladesh. She thanked the UN for extending cooperation to Bangladesh since Rohingyas took shelter here and hoped that they will continue the support.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has said everyone needs to understand the reality that the forcibly displaced Rohingyas are becoming a huge burden for Bangladesh and they must go back home.    "They (Rohingyas) need to go back to their own country. Everyone needs to understand (the situation). ---it is not possible for us to take any more people, Rohingyas must go back," she said in an interview with the Bangla service of Voice of America (VoA) in Washington which was broadcast on Tuesday.    Referring to Bangladesh's repeated call to the international community for safe and sustainable rehabilitation of the Rohingyas, she said it is impossible for a country alone to take responsibilities of such a huge population (1.2 million of Rohingyas).    "Not only giving shelters, but also arranging livelihoods for such a huge population is a great responsibility which no country can shoulder alone," she said.    She mentioned that the entire world has now been rattled due to the Russia-Ukraine war, sanctions, counter sanctions and the ongoing Covid-19 and the prices of essentials are skyrocketing which put the global people to immense sufferings.    "Those who came forward to help (Rohingyas), are now facing troubles over own survival," she said, adding that how much Bangladesh could do for the Rohingyas when this country has a huge population and it has to think of its people.,    The Prime Minister said the children and teens of the Rohingya community are now brought up in a vast slum (Rohingya camp) where the scope of raising with humanitarian values and with sound health is very limited.    Bangladesh is not in a position to take any more people from Myanmar, she said, adding that Rohingyas should go back to their own country.   The Prime Minister said the prolonged stay of the Rohingyas in Bangladesh destroyed forests in Cox's Bazar.   Alongside destroying the natural beauty, the huge numbers of Rohingyas caused immense sufferings to the locals while the arable lands of the locality are declining sharply, she said.    Besides, she said, many Rohingyas have got involved in smuggling of drugs and arms smuggling alongside human trafficking and they have involved in conflicts within themselves inside the camps. About giving shelter to such a huge number of Rohingyas, the premier said she has given shelter to the Rohingyas thinking about the agony of the people of then Pakistan (now Bangladesh) when they had gone through inhuman tortures, including killings and rapes, during the Liberation War of 1971.     "We saw sufferings (in 1971) with our own eyes," she said.    In this context, the Prime Minister also recalled her younger sister Sheikh Rehana's appeal to shoulder responsibilities of several lakh people (Rohingyas) alongside 16 crore Bangladeshis.    "Can't you take responsibilities of several lakh people in addition to your 16 crore countrymen," she said, quoting Sheikh Rehana as saying.    The Prime Minister said she replied in affirmative, saying that if necessary the Bangladeshi people would take one meal a day and share another meal with the Rohingyas.   She said Bangladeshi people, particularly the leaders and activists of the Awami League, stood beside the Rohingyas with plenty of food while the international community later came forward and started to help the Rohingyas.  AL protects  human rights:   Replying to a query about human rights, Sheikh Hasina said her government has not only protected the human rights, but also preserved it by making aware the people about the human rights.   The Prime Minister said Bangladesh has a human rights commission and they are investigating the allegations of human rights violations.   “We are always investigating (into the allegations). Due legal action is taken in case of any human rights violation even it is committed by any member of law enforcement agencies, which was not seen in the past,” she said.   Pointing at the wholesale allegations made by the BNP, she said they had submitted a list of 70 people (allegedly disappeared) after talking much about it.   Most of the listed people were later found in the BNP’s processions while some others went into hiding for personal reason while seven cases were found that they had died, she said.   The Prime Minister said Ziaur Rahman, founder of the BNP, had killed hundreds of air force-army officers and soldiers alongside huge number of Awami League leaders and activists.      The bodies of the victims were never found while the relatives of them even did not know what were their faults, she said.    The people who are now talking about human rights violation, people even could not be able to seek justice, she said.   Media enjoy freedom:   Sheikh Hasina has said that the numbers of media is mushrooming during the Awami League tenure and they are enjoying freedom.    “After saying everything, if someone says that he or she is not allowed to speak, what would be the answer? That’s what I’d like to know,” she said,   The Prime Minister said there were only a few TV and radio stations before the Awami League assumed power in 1996, adding that those were even controlled by the then government.   She mentioned that she allowed the private sector to run the media after coming to power, saying that 32 private television channels are now operational among the approved 44 TV channels in the country.   People are taking part in television talk shows and they speak freely – true or false – and they criticize the government, she said.   The Premier reiterated that said there was no freedom of speech or movement during the military dictatorship. EC is independent to hold free and  fair elections   Sheikh Hasina said her government has taken every measure to make the election commission (EC) independent as they can hold elections in a free and fair manner.    The Prime Minister said they have enacted a law for forming the election commission which has been formed in accordance with the law.    The election commission was under the purview of the Prime Minister’s office and her government has made it free from its authority and allocated a separate budget for them to give the commission financial independence.    Now the government cannot interfere in the commission’s budgetary process and it is independent to spend  its money at its will, she said.    About holding the next election under the caretaker government, the premier said her party Awami League had established the caretaker government through movement and the then Prime Minister Khaleda Zia said that none can be neutral except mad and child.     Khaleda Zia had manipulated the caretaker government system; they amended the related law to increase the age of chief justice by two years to appoint their own people as the chief adviser of the caretaker government.    The then BNP government even prepared the voter list with 1.23 crore fake voters aimed at manipulating the election, she said, adding that they held voter-less February 15, 1996 national polls with taking part no political parties and Khaleda Zia had ousted  from the power within one and a half month of the election,   The BNP and Jatiya Party were formed by two military dictators after coming to power by violating the country’s constituency, she said.   The Prime Minister said they would not allow anymore to play ducks and drakes with the voting rights of the masses as the Awami League had established the rights of franchise through struggle.      She said the people will choose their government by casting their votes,   adding that she has nothing to say  if they do not vote for the Awami League. 

The protracted Rohingya crisis has stepped on the sixth year on Thursday without a single Rohingya repatriated to their homeland. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina saved the world from a humane catastrophe in 2017 by sheltering these persecuted people. Bangladesh has been carrying the load in terms of providing humanitarian assistance and the environment and societal imbalance in the areas where Rohingyas live, said a press release of Foreign Affairs Ministry. If the crisis is not resolved quickly, it may create a security problem for the region and beyond. The Bangladesh government is trying its best to ensure early repatriation of the displaced Rohingyas. Return to their homeland is also the aspiration of the displaced Rohingya population. They are receiving education, food, shelter, health care and other services in Bangladesh. They participate in skill development activities to enhance their livelihood opportunities in Rakhine once they return. The Rohingya crisis is not a bilateral issue. Its origin and solution lies in Myanmar. Bangladesh tried to arrange safe, sustainable and voluntary repatriation of the Rohingya to Rakhine State through negotiations with Myanmar following the bilateral instruments. Unfortunately, not a single Rohingya could return to Myanmar yet for the non-committal attitude of Myanmar towards their obligation enshrined to the bilateral mechanisms. Due to the frustrating development on the bilateral front in commencing the repatriation, Bangladesh involves friendly countries to assist their repatriation. Starting their safe, sustainable, voluntary repatriation to their homeland Rakhine State as early as possible should be a priority through dialogue and discussion. The international community should focus on creating a safe and conducive situation on the ground in northern Rakhine and the smooth conduct of repatriation and reintegration to the Myanmar society for the Rohingyas. On this very day in 2017, in the true spirit of responsibility and burden sharing, they should make concerted efforts to resolve the Rohingya crisis in all its dimensions. Ensuring accountability of the perpetrators of the atrocities committed is needed to be supported with the view to create confidence among the Rohingyas for repatriation. The UN and the partners must undertake tangible actions and projects to create a conducive environment with safety and security. ASEAN can take the lead role in such engagements. The presence of ASEAN and international actors in the Rakhine state can help to reduce the trust deficit between Rohingya and Nay Pyi Taw and help confidence building that is essential for smooth repatriation. Source: BSS AH

Both Bangladesh and Japan want dignified repatriation of the forcibly displaced Rohingyas to their homeland Myanmar. The Rohingya issue was discussed when Parliamentary Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs, Japan, HONDA Taro and President, Japan International Corporation Agency, TANAKA Akihiko (JICA) paid a courtesy call on Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina at her official Ganabhaban residence in the capital this afternoon. PM's Press Secretary Ihsanul Karim briefed newsmen after the call on. During the meeting, Bangladesh's Prime Minister has sought Japanese support to repatriate Rohingyas to their motherland Myanmar. "Several years have elapsed since the Rohingyas took shelter in Bangladesh and they are now becoming a burden for us," she added. In reply, Parliamentary Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs, Japan, HONDA Taro said they also want Rohingyas’ repatriation in a dignified manner. He added: "Japan wants dignified repatriation of Rohingyas and they are supporting Bangladesh on the issue." Both the leaders of Bangladesh and Japan discussed about economic development cooperation between the two countries.   The Japanese leader and the JICA President congratulated the Bangladesh premier for constructing the much-hyped Padma Bridge with own finance saying the bridge would quicken Bangladesh's overall development.   Sheikh Hasina said the Padma Bridge and the Bangabandhu Bridge over the Jamuna river have connected the southern and northern regions to remaining parts of the country. The Premier said Japan is implementing Bangladesh's three mega projects- Matharbari coal fired power plant in Maheshkhali, metro rail and third terminal at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka- to specially help accelerate Bangladesh's development. In reply, the JICA President appreciated Bangladesh government's all out support to implement the three mega projects. The Japanese leader appreciated Bangladesh’s graduation as a developing nation from a least development country under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. Both the Bangladeshi and Japanese leaders recalled the visit of former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe to Bangladesh in 2014. Sheikh Hasina denounced the killing of Shinzo Abe and described him as a great friend of Bangladesh. The Japanese leader said Shinzo Abe's visit to Bangladesh elevated the bilateral relations between Bangladesh and Japan to a comprehensive partnership. The Prime Minister said Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman's October 1973 visit to Japan led the foundation of today' Bangladesh-Japan relations. She said Bangabandhu was a great admirer of the socio-economic and technological advancement of Japan and he wanted to replicate Japanese model to transform agriculture- based Bangladesh into an industrialized one. PM's Principal Secretary Dr Ahmad Kaikaus and Japanese Ambassador to Bangladesh Ito Naoki were present. Source: BSS AH

Foreign Minister Dr. AK Abdul Momen has proposed Britain, as a global leader in justice and human rights, to resettle one lac Myanmar Rohingyas currently sheltered in Bangladesh to lessen the unfair Rohingya burden on Dhaka.   He made the proposal while holding a bilateral meeting with his British counterpart Elizabeth Truss in Kigali on the sidelines of the Commonwealth Summit on 24-25 June, according to a press release received in Dhaka today.   Momen also called upon the UK government to exert pressure on Myanmar for the immediate repatriation of their Rohingya citizens from Bangladesh which simply cannot continue to take the burden of 1.1 million forcibly displaced Myanmar nationals any longer.   He briefed Truss about the status of the protracted Rohingya crisis and stalemate in the process of their safe and sustainable return to Myanmar in the absence of political commitment of the Myanmar government.   In this connection, Dr. Momen gave historic references to earlier instances of en masse influx of Rohingyas into Bangladesh in the 70s and 90s, and their subsequent voluntary repatriation by Myanmar through agreements and accords with Bangladesh.   "Myanmar took them back as they were under sanctions at that time by the West, which is not the present case, while UK and other western countries continue to invest heavily in Myanmar, despite living proof of their persecution of Rohingyas and adjudication of their justice at the ICJ," he said.   The UK which has made USD 2.5 billion worth of investments into Myanmar just over the past 3 years and more than 500 million of bilateral trade, also needs to create pressure on Myanmar authorities to take back their Rohingyas, Dr Momen noted.   The British Secretary of State thanked Bangladesh's generous hosting of the Rohingyas and responded that "while the UK could look into it, the best solution to the Rohingya crisis, however, lies in their safe and sustainable return to their homeland in Myanmar".   Expressing concern of the British government at the current political turmoil in Myanmar, Truss reiterated UK's continued commitment to resolve the Rohingya crisis. The British minister also assured that together with the ASEAN and fellow G7 countries, UK would put increased pressure on Myanmar for a sustainable resolution of the Rohingya crisis.   During their first official bilateral meeting, the two foreign ministers also reaffirmed the historic and value-based relations between Bangladesh and the UK since Bangladesh's Liberation War in 1971. They agreed to jointly celebrate the 50th anniversary of Bangladesh-UK diplomatic relations through exchange of high-level visits and charting of an ambitious and ever-expanding Bangladesh-UK post-Brexit strategic partnership including advancing shared security interest at the Indian Ocean, enhanced trade and defence partnerships and higher education and research cooperation.   The British minister expressed concern at the low numbers of higher education students from Bangladesh in the UK while Bangladesh foreign minister highlighted decreasing numbers of student and business visas issued from British High Commission in Dhaka.   Momen requested to relocate students and business visa facility back to Dhaka to ensure at least 7 to 8 thousand Bangladesh students entry to the UK for high education every year.   To mark 50 years of Bangladesh-UK diplomatic relations, both the ministers welcomed the proposals by the two foreign offices to jointly organize a Global Girls Education Summit, a climate leaders' dialogue, and a Rohingya Conference in their capitals.   They both expressed deep concern at the current Ukraine situation and agreed to work closely to restore regional peace, security, and stability as well as global food and energy supply chains.   Momen said that Bangladesh remains deeply committed to maintaining global peace and security.   On post-Brexit trade relations with the UK, one of Bangladesh's largest trade and investment partners, Momen sought an extension of the UK's zero-duty GSP facility beyond 2029, specially given the losses suffered by Bangladesh's apparel industry owing to post-pandemic cancellations, non-payments by British retailers as well as the current cost of living index hike.   The two ministers further agreed that under the Bangladesh-UK Trade and Investment Dialogue, the two countries should explore enhanced trade partnership and a future Free Trade Agreement (FTA).   Dr. Momen invited Truss to visit Bangladesh at the earliest opportunity, especially during the historic year of Bangladesh-UK diplomatic relations. Bangladesh High Commissioner to the UK Saida Muna Tasneem was present during the meeting. Source: BSS AH

The Japan government has decided to extend Emergency Grant Aid of total two million USD for supporting displaced "Rohingyas" on Bhasan Char.    This contribution includes one million USD to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and one million USD to World Food Programme (WFP), a press release issued by the Japanese embassy said in Dhaka today (Friday).    The fund would be used for implementing humanitarian assistance activities for the displaced "Rohingyas", who are in need of urgent assistance in Bhasan Char in areas such as food and health.    Japanese Ambassador in Dhaka ITO Naoki said his government supports steady and smooth operations of the international organizations under the MoU signed between the Bangladesh Government and the United Nations in October 2021, which is a basic framework of assistance for Bhasan Char.    "Resolving Rohingya issues is of utmost importance for the peace and stability of the region," he said.    The envoy appreciated Bangladesh government's efforts to protect "Rohingya" people and the dedicated work of the international organizations.    Japan expects the UN will respond to prevailing and increasing humanitarian and protection needs on the island, and strongly hopes that this assistance will contribute to better service delivery and improve living conditions of people living on Bhasan Char" Naoki said.    Japan will continue to stand by Bangladesh and work towards the early repatriation of displaced "Rohingya" to Myanmar, said the Japanese mission in Dhaka.   Finding durable solutions to this crisis is significant not only to Bangladesh but also to the stability of the entire region, and thereby conducive to the realization of a "Free and Open Indo-Pacific", which is a vision to secure peace, stability and prosperity in the region, said the release. Source: BSS AH

Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen today (Saturday) expressed his hope that Bangladesh would be able to fulfill its target of relocating one lakh Rohingyas to Bhasan Char from congested Cox’s Bazar camps by one year as UNHCR agreed to work on it.    “We have already relocated nearly 18,500 Rohingyas to Bhasan Char … we will resume relocating them (to the island) this month,” he told reporters at Tungipara in Gopalganj.    The foreign minister retreated that the relocation of Rohingyas to the island of Bhasan Char would be fully voluntary.          Dr Momen hoped that Myanmar will take back Rohingyas gradually as pressure on them would mount following the recent adoption of a resolution in the United Nations.   "I believe pressure will be mounted on Myanmar as the resolution has been passed by consensus," he added.    The foreign minister, accompanied by the Sylhet Awami League (AL) leaders, paid homage to Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman by placing wreath at his grave in Tungipara.   President and general secretary of Sylhet city unit AL and valiant freedom fighter Masuk Uddin Ahmed and Professor M Zakir Hossain, among others, also paid tribute to Bangabandhu. Source: BSS AH

The United Nations (UN) is going to take part in humanitarian assistance activities in Bhasanchar, Noakhali where 18,521 Rohingyas were shifted from Cox’s Bazar. Bangladesh government shifted those Rohingya people in six phases. In this regard an agreement is going to be signed on Saturday between Ministry for Disaster Management and Relief and United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR). Md. Mohsin, Secretary of ministry for disaster management and relief confirmed the information on Wednesday evening. Different matters of the agreement have been finalized by this time. According to an official source, a set of conditions were given on behalf of the UN. Of those there were conditions like- freedom of movement for Rohingyas, opportunity for education and employment, opportunity to take part in election. Of those Bangladesh government has granted some conditions partially and some were rejected. The government has planned to relocate one lakh Rohingyas from Cox’s Bazar to Bhasanchar. At first UN opposed the initiatives but after visiting the island they mentioned the environment as satisfactory. It is to be noted that the government spent 2,312 crore taka to turn the island livable for Rohingyas. AH