ASEAN
Myanmar Crisis: US, ASEAN urged to increase pressure on Myanmar military junta
Parliamentarians from Southeast Asia have urged the United States and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations to use their upcoming summit in Washington to increase pressure on the Myanmar military junta that has thrown the country into a state of chaos ever since its take-over in February last year.
The leaders of ASEAN and the United States have declared that they intend to enhance their strategic partnership for the mutual benefit of the peoples of ASEAN and the United States, according to a message received here from Jakarta.
In that spirit, ASEAN Parliamentarians for Human Rights (APHR) advises that they should take concrete steps to address the inherent threat to peace, economic development and human security in Southeast Asia posed by the crisis in Myanmar.
ASEAN and the United States are set to convene a special summit to celebrate four and a half decades of the ASEAN-U.S. Dialogue Relations, on May 12-13 in Washington D.C.
This is the second special summit since 2016 and the first in person engagement for our leaders since 2017.
“Let this 45th anniversary of US-ASEAN relations be the occasion for the US and ASEAN governments to begin a new phase in their relations that truly benefits the people and puts human rights and the prevention of atrocities, in Myanmar and elsewhere, at the top of the agenda,” said Charles Santiago, a Malaysian lawmaker, who is also APHR chairperson.
They can no longer ignore the threat that the junta in Myanmar poses to the security of millions of people at the heart of Southeast Asia, Santiago added.
The current crisis is wholly and solely caused by the junta, led by Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, which overthrew the democratically elected government led by Aung San Suu Kyi on 1 February 2021, according to APHR.
The Myanmar population has valiantly resisted the coup and, in order to impose its rule on the country, the military has committed widespread atrocities.
According to the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, these may amount to war crimes and crimes against humanity.
Over the last year, Myanmar’s military has completely ignored the ASEAN’s Five Point Consensus on Myanmar, which was agreed on in April 2021 and was also supported by the US, APHR said.
Violence continues unabated, there is no dialogue between the junta and forces resisting military rule, and humanitarian aid is not reaching the Myanmar people.
The Special Summit provides the perfect opportunity for the allies to work on coordinated measures to make Min Aung Hlaing and his junta pay the price for their failure to abide by an agreement they claimed to accept, said the APHR.
“Humanity is our common thread across the Pacific and across the world. We must stand together in the face of these atrocities, Asians and Americans, as we share the same concern for the people of Myanmar. Now is the time for ASEAN and the US to make their historic alliance truly meaningful to people in desperate need,” said Mercy Barends, an MP in Indonesia and an APHR Board Member.
They also urged the US and ASEAN governments to publicly meet with Myanmar’s National Unity Government (NUG), which represents the democratically elected government and receives support from the majority of the Myanmar people.
“We call on the United States and ASEAN to work together to urgently deliver the life-saving humanitarian aid that the Myanmar people need.”
APHR said they stand ready to assist the US and ASEAN as they formulate and carry out their policies to address this crisis, and will remain vigilant to ensure that the steps taken by the US and ASEAN truly serve to support the Myanmar people’s aspirations for human rights, peace and democracy.
Indonesia re-imposes visa-free for ASEAN nationals
The Indonesian government has re-imposed a visa-free visit policy for citizens of fellow ASEAN (the Association of Southeast Asian Nations) member countries, the Ministry of Law and Human Rights said on Tuesday.
"With this new policy, foreigners from nine other ASEAN countries are able to enter with visa-free visits," said Director of Immigration Traffic Amran Aris.
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People from these Southeast Asian countries are only required to show proof of COVID-19 vaccination and a negative polymerase chain reaction test (PCR) taken 48 hours prior to arrival, and use the PeduliLindungi test and track app on their mobile phone. They are no longer required to undergo a PCR test upon arrival as long as they pass a temperature check.
International airports in Yogyakarta, Makassar, Medan and Pekanbaru have reopened.
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ASEAN envoy for Myanmar crisis arrives on first mission
Cambodia’s foreign minister arrived Monday in Myanmar’s capital Naypyitaw on his mission as a special regional envoy seeking to facilitate peacemaking in the fellow Southeast Asian nation, which was plunged into an extended violent political crisis after the army seized power last year.
Prak Sokhonn is representing ASEAN — the Association of Southeast Asian Nations — which last April reached a five-point consensus on Myanmar. It called for the immediate cessation of violence, a dialogue among all concerned parties, mediation by an ASEAN special envoy, provision of humanitarian aid through ASEAN channels, and a visit to Myanmar by the special envoy to meet all concerned parties.
The ruling military council of Myanmar, which is one of ASEAN’s 10 members, has delayed implementation of its plan, even as the country has slipped into a situation that U.N. experts have characterized as a civil war. Neither the military nor its opponents have suggested mutually acceptable compromises that could stem the violence, much less resolve the political impasse over ruling the country.
Soon after their arrival for their three-day visit, Prak Sokhonn and his party, including ASEAN Secretary-General Lim Jock Hoi, held a meeting with Myanmar's leader, Senior Gen. Min Aung Hlaing and other top officials, during which they discussed implementation of the five-point plan, conditions for providing humanitarian assistance and cooperation with ASEAN, said a statement from Myanmar's Information Ministry.
Also read: US to declare Rohingya repression in Myanmar a 'genocide'
The statement, which described the meeting as a “first step,” said Min Aung Hlaing also presented his government's versions of the events leading to the army's takeover and the violence that followed it.
Myanmar's reluctance to implement the actions urged in the consensus has caused a split among the members of ASEAN, which has ostracized Myanmar by blocking its leaders from attending major meetings of the regional grouping. Min Aung Hlaing was not invited to last October’s virtual meeting of ASEAN leaders because of the disagreement.
That rebuke was issued shortly after Myanmar declined to let an ASEAN special envoy meet with its ousted leader Aung San Suu Kyi, who has been in detention since the military took power in February 2021.
The army ousted Suu Kyi's elected government and then cracked down on the widespread protests against its action. After security forces unleashed lethal force against peaceful demonstrators, some opponents of military rule took up arms.
A statement issued last Friday by Cambodia’s foreign ministry said Prak Sokhonn’s first visit as ASEAN’s special envoy “will be aimed at creating a favorable condition leading to the end of violence as well as the utmost restraint by all parties,” along with distributing humanitarian assistance and encouraging political consultation or dialogue among all concerned parties.
Prak Sakhonn became the ASEAN special envoy after Cambodia took over as this year’s chair for the regional grouping.
Also read: Myanmar: UN report urges concerted effort by global community to hold military accountable
Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen expressed interest in engaging more closely with Myanmar’s generals and in January this year became the first head of government to pay an official visit to Myanmar since the army seized power. In February, however, he expressed pessimism that the crisis there can be resolved anytime soon.
According to Cambodian officials, Myanmar’s military have given permission for ASEAN’s envoy to meet with other members of Suu Kyi’s National League for Democracy party. However, virtually all its major leaders are jailed, like Suu Kyi, or in hiding to escape arrest.
The most important opposition force in Myanmar currently is the National Unity Government, a shadow civilian administration established largely by elected lawmakers from Suu Kyi’s party who were blocked from taking their seats by the army takeover.
Prak Sokhonn said last month he believes he should meet with Myanmar’s National Unity Government even though the country’s military considers it a terrorist organization. All of its civilian leaders are in hiding or in exile.
He said that if Myanmar’s military government is unwilling to talk directly with the National Unity Government, he could serve as a bridge between the contending parties. But he cautioned that this would have to be done in a way that did not create friction between the ASEAN envoy and Myanmar’s military government.
Another major opposition group, the General Strike Coordination Body, issued a statement Monday saying its 36 member organizations condemned the ASEAN special envoy’s visit as an attempt to support the military council without fully recognizing the will of the people in the country.
It pointed out that his visit did not include any contact with the National Unity Government, which had been among the suggestions ASEAN offered last year. The lack of a meeting with the shadow government amounted to ignoring the voices of the people of Myanmar and democratic forces, it charged.
Bangladesh keen to increase engagement with ASEAN: PM
Terming Bangladesh a geographically contiguous neighbour of the ASEAN, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has expressed her country’s keen interest to further strengthen institutional engagements with the important regional organization.
She sought a more pro-active support from the ASEAN to ensure an "early, safe and dignified" repatriation of the displaced Rohingya people whom Bangladesh temporarily sheltered purely on humanitarian grounds.
The PM said this in her message to President of the Philippines Rodrigo Roa Duterte on the occasion of the 50 years of diplomatic ties between Bangladesh and the Philippines, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Read: General Assembly President lauds Bangladesh’s leadership at UN
Mentioning the phenomenal socio-economic achievements of Bangladesh over the last 50 years, Sheikh Hasina reiterated her commitment to working with the international community to ensure a safe, equitable and sustainable world for the posterity.
President Duterte said, “Bangladesh, having transitioned to one of the most successful economies in the world, will play a greater role in the South Asian region and beyond”.
The two leaders vowed to further strengthen the shared journey of the two friendly countries in the next 50 years and beyond.
Sheikh Hasina recalled with gratitude the early recognition the Government of the Philippines accorded on 24 February 1972 to an independent Bangladesh.
She also fondly recalled the stop-over in Manila by the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman on his return journey from Tokyo in 1973 to express his gratitude to the friendly Government and people of the Philippines for their magnanimous gesture.
Both the leaders praised the strong, cooperative and friendly relations that have been nurtured between the two friendly countries in the last five decades, including trade, investment, education, tourism, cultural exchange, people-to-people contacts, etc.
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The two leaders expressed optimism that the two countries would explore newer areas of cooperation for the mutual benefit of the two friendly peoples.
Meanwhile, Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen and his Philippines counterpart Foreign Secretary Teodoro L. locsin, Jr. also exchanged messages on the occasion of the fifty years of bilateral relationship between Bangladesh and the Philippines.
Myanmar says it won’t attend ASEAN foreign ministers meeting
Myanmar will not participate in this week’s meetings in Cambodia of foreign ministers from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, spurning an invitation to send a non-political representative instead of its chief diplomat, its government said Monday.
Cambodia, the current ASEAN chair, said earlier this month that members of the regional group had failed to reach a consensus on inviting Myanmar Foreign Minister Wunna Maung Lwin to its meetings on Thursday and Friday in Cambodia’s capital, Phnom Penh.
Wunna Maung Lwin was appointed foreign minister after the military seized power in Myanmar last year, ousting the elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi.
The decision to restrict Myanmar’s participation reflected a disagreement over Myanmar’s lack of cooperation in implementing measures agreed upon by the 10-member group last year to help ease that country’s violent political crisis following the army’s takeover.
The head of Myanmar’s military government, Senior Gen. Min Aung Hlaing, was not invited to last October’s virtual meeting of ASEAN leaders because of the disagreement. That rebuke was issued shortly after Myanmar declined to let an ASEAN special envoy meet with Suu Kyi, who has been in detention since the military took power.
Also read: One year into Myanmar coup: Stronger course of int’l action needed
“Despite the efforts made by the ASEAN chair and Myanmar to promote cooperation in ASEAN, it is regrettable to see the return of the decision made last year which Myanmar in principle is unable to accept,” Myanmar’s Foreign Affairs Ministry said in a statement Monday night. “In this regard, Myanmar’s inability to participate or even designate a non-political representative ... is inevitable since it contradicts the principles and practice of equal representation in ASEAN.”
ASEAN was chaired by Brunei when it snubbed Min Aung Hlaing, but under its annual rotation system, Cambodia now heads the group. Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen has said he believes it is important that Myanmar attend the next summit meeting.
Hun Sen traveled to Myanmar in January, becoming the first foreign leader to visit since the military takeover. He has repeatedly declared his interest in resolving the impasse between ASEAN and Myanmar.
Japan’s foreign minister met in Tokyo on Monday with Hun Sen’s son and agreed to cooperate in dealing with the situation in Myanmar. Hun Manet, who heads Cambodia’s army and is Hun Sen’s favored successor, accompanied his father during his visit to Myanmar.
Japan has taken a softer line on Myanmar’s military than Western nations that have sanctioned the generals. But in a sign that attitudes in Japan are mixed, Japanese brewery Kirin Holdings announced on Monday that it has decided to withdraw from its business in Myanmar and terminate its joint venture with a military-linked partner.
Cambodia’s Chum Sounry said the failure to reach a consensus about inviting Myanmar to this week’s foreign minister’s meeting was due to “little progress in carrying out the ASEAN’s 5-Point Consensus,” agreed to by all the group’s members, including Myanmar.
ASEAN leaders at a special meeting last April issued a statement expressing a consensus calling for the immediate cessation of violence, a dialogue among all concerned parties, mediation by an ASEAN special envoy, provision of humanitarian aid through ASEAN channels, and a visit to Myanmar by the special envoy to meet all concerned parties.
Myanmar has not rejected the consensus but has done little to implement it.
Also read: Dozens arrested to suppress protests on Myanmar anniversary
Myanmar’s military council has also continued its harsh military actions against areas of the country where it faces a low-level insurgency, as well as its relentless effort to prosecute Suu Kyi to remove her from political life.
Suu Kyi went on trial on Monday on election fraud charges, the latest in a series of criminal prosecutions by the military-run government in which she has already been sentenced to six years in prison.
The army said it seized power because of widespread voter fraud in the 2020 general election, an allegation not corroborated by independent election observers. Suu Kyi’s National League for Democracy party won the election by a landslide, while the military-backed party did poorly.
The military’s takeover prompted widespread peaceful protests and civil disobedience that security forces suppressed with lethal force. About 1,500 civilians have been killed, according to the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners. Some opponents of the military have turned to armed resistance in response.
Suu Kyi, 76, has faced a raft of charges since she was taken into custody. Her supporters and human rights groups say the cases against her are baseless.
Huawei steps up support for ASEAN Economic Community's Industry 4.0 Roadmap
Having adopted the Consolidated Strategy on the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) at the 38th ASEAN Summit in October last year, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) organised a socialisation webinar for the strategy themed "Embracing the 4IR: Outlook, Strategies, and Plans for ASEAN."
The strategy, as revealed at the webinar, was built upon the existing 73 4IR-related initiatives undertaken by ASEAN so far, which is likely to increase in number in the coming years.
Advanced technology provider Huawei again expressed its commitment to support ASEAN 4IR agenda.
The webinar was attended by Satvinder Singh, deputy secretary-general of the ASEAN Economic Community, and Australian Ambassador to ASEAN Will Nankervis.
"Although ASEAN, in general, has recorded a fantastic growth rate, there are still many aspects that need to be improved," said Satvinder. "One of them is artificial intelligence (AI) investment, which is still far below compared to AI investments made in countries such as the US and China ($2 per capita in ASEAN as opposed to $155 and $21 per capita between 2015 and 2019 for the US and China respectively)."
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He also mentioned that a holistic approach allows the 4IR to not only be used as an engine for the region's economic growth and competitiveness but also to promote inclusivity and sustainability.
Diverse ASEAN stakeholders, such as Dicky Edwin Hindarto, advisor for Indonesia Joint Crediting Mechanism; Sharlini Eriza Putri, co-founder and CEO of Nusantics; Amarti Charoephan, ASEAN director for Techstars Thailand/Impact Collective; Dr Le Hoang Dung, the chair of the Association of Southeast Asian Teacher Education Network; and David Lu, president of Strategy Marketing Department at Huawei Asia Pacific, were also present.
Sharlini said: "Startup companies have a much faster pace, as well as the ability to disrupt conventional methods. ASEAN youth must take part in narrating the 4IR, especially around critical issues such as health and environment. So, homegrown startups in ASEAN must be fully supported."
David said, "Huawei wants to add to our collaboration footprint in the region to create an interconnected ASEAN and bridge the digital divide. We will work closely with the ASEAN Economic Community to provide the technology, infrastructure, and digital talent it needs."
"Together, we will bring benefits such as reliability, lower latency, more effective and efficient production, and digital transformation to every industry."
Dhaka seeks ASEAN’s greater efforts to resolve Rohingya crisis
Bangladesh has sought more focused efforts on the part of ASEAN to bring about a durable and permanent solution to Rohingya problem.
The issue came up when Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen exchanged New Year greetings over a video call on Wednesday with Minister of Foreign Affairs-II of Brunei Darussalam Erywan Pehin Yusof. They also discussed other issues of mutual interest.
Dr Momen also shared his apprehensions with his Bruneian counterpart of the potential security risks for not only Bangladesh, but also South Asia and the South East Asian region if the Rohingya crisis is left festering any longer.
READ: 1,287 more Rohingyas reach Bhasan Char
He reiterated his call to Myanmar for taking necessary confidence building measures to facilitate the voluntary repatriation of the displaced Rohingya people to the State of Rakhine in Myanmar.
Dr Momen referred to his recent telephone calls to his counterparts in the South East Asian countries, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
He shared that he had discussed the protracted crisis resulting from the forcibly displaced Myanmar nationals with all of them and had sought their firm support for persuading Myanmar for creating a congenial situation for a safe, dignified and early repatriation of more than 1.1 million Myanmar nationals from Bangladesh.
Recognising the huge burden imposed on Bangladesh due to the Rohingya crisis, Erywan Yusof expressed his full sympathy and observed that the situation was unfair to Bangladesh.
He also expressed the hope that all sides in Myanmar would remain committed to the mechanism agreed for the repatriation of the displaced people back to Myanmar and would work sincerely for bringing a sustainable solution to this crisis.
Narrating the phenomenal socio-economic development Bangladesh achieved under the leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Foreign Minister Dr Momen stressed the importance of accelerating the pace of bilateral trade and commerce, which currently is far below its potential.
Highlighting the attractive investment packages, and the opportunities offered by the 100 economic zones, he encouraged the Bruneian investors and business community to avail these opportunities for the mutual benefits of the two brotherly people.
The Bangladesh Foreign Minister specially referred to the opportunities for the Bruneian entrepreneurs in the areas of ICT and digital economy, Halal trade, agro-processing and fisheries.
ErywanYusof expressed his keen interest on import of Bangladeshi mangoes and emphasized on concluding an Air Service Agreement for facilitating Bangladesh-Brunei bilateral trade.
The Bruneian Foreign Minister informed that Brunei was expanding its petro-chemical sector, which may open opportunities for recruiting more Bangladeshi manpower in the near future.
READ: 718 more Rohingyas leave for Bhasan Char
Describing the Bangladeshi workers as sincere, hard-working and quick-learners, Dr Momen assured the Bruneian Foreign Minister of full cooperation in this regard for a win-win collaboration.
While discussing the need for having high level visits for further strengthening the bilateral relations, Yusof shared their keenness on having the visit of Sultan of Brunei to Bangladesh which got postponed in 2020 due to the pandemic.
Dr Momen warmly welcomed the proposal and both the Ministers agreed on taking all necessary preparations in this regard.
Both ministers reviewed the important aspects of existing bilateral relations and agreed to explore new areas of cooperation for further cementing the relations.
Dhaka seeks conclusion of PTA with Jakarta this year
Bangladesh has sought an "expeditious conclusion" of the proposed Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA) with Indonesia for further enhancement of trade and commerce between the two countries, preferably during this year that marks a watershed in the bilateral relations.
Bangladesh also stressed the importance of reducing the imbalance existing in the bilateral trade by increasing Indonesian imports from Bangladesh.
Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen discussed the issues during a telephone conversation with Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno L P Marsudi on Wednesday.
Reciprocating the sentiment of Dr Momen, Marsudi noted with profound satisfaction the fact that Bangladesh-Indonesia bilateral relations was growing from strength to strength and laid importance on further political and economic collaboration for taking the relations to a newer level.
READ: Dhaka seeks Berlin’s support to face post-LDC challenges
Dr Momen thanked Indonesia for their humanitarian support extended to the Rohingyas and sought political support from Indonesia on the repatriation issue.
He requested for Indonesia’s and ASEAN’s continued support in bringing about a sustainable and permanent solution to this protracted crisis.
Dr Momen highlighted that Bangladesh wishes to have greater interaction with ASEAN since there are vibrant trade relations with some members of ASEAN and the potential synergy is evident.
He sought Indonesian support to Bangladesh’s candidature for ASEAN Sectoral Dialogue Partner.
The Indonesian Foreign Minister, while expressing her support for Bangladesh’s candidature, suggested fostering a greater engagement with the member countries of ASEAN in this regards.
Dr Momen also sought Indonesian support in favour of Bangladesh in various regional and multilateral fora.
The two Foreign Ministers expressed deep satisfaction at the existing excellent bilateral cooperation between the two countries and vowed to further strengthen the relations in depth and dimensions.
Dr Momen observed that Bangladesh has been enjoying brotherly and cordial relationship with Indonesia since independence.
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Both the Ministers agreed to celebrate the 50th year of the diplomatic ties this year in a befitting manner.
Dr Momen noted with satisfaction the rising trend in bilateral trade and commerce between Bangladesh and Indonesia in recent years.
Both the Foreign Ministers exchanged greetings of the New Year and promised to remain in close touch.
Suu Kyi verdicts a 'travesty of justice'
The verdicts against Aung San Suu Kyi Monday are a travesty of justice by a judicial system that is proving to be a mere pawn of the Myanmar military, said Charles Santiago, chair of ASEAN Parliamentarians for Human Rights and a Malaysian member of parliament.
These are further evidence that the junta is determined to eliminate the political opposition after its resounding victory in the 2020 elections, he added.
Suu Kyi's party won a landslide victory in the election, but the military claimed there was widespread electoral fraud, an assertion that independent poll watchers doubt.
A court in Myanmar sentenced her to four more years in prison today after "finding her guilty of illegally importing and possessing walkie-talkies and violating coronavirus restrictions."
She was convicted last month on two other charges and given a four-year prison sentence, which was then halved by the head of the military-installed government.
The cases are among about a dozen brought against the 76-year-old since the army seized power last February, ousting her elected government and arresting top members of the National League for Democracy party.
Suu Kyi could be sentenced to more than 100 years in prison if she is found guilty of all the charges.
"The international community must take immediate and proactive measures to protect the people and support the pro-democracy movement by establishing a coordinated global arms embargo, and recognising the National Unity Government formed by elected representatives of the people," Charles said.
The military-installed government has not allowed any outside party to meet with Suu Kyi since it seized power, despite international pressure for talks including her that could ease the country's violent political crisis.
Also, it would not allow a special envoy from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), of which Myanmar is a member, to meet her. The refusal received a rare rebuke from fellow members, who barred Min Aung from attending its annual summit meeting.
Even Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen, who took over as the regional group's chair for this year and advocates engagement with the ruling generals, failed to meet Suu Kyi last week when he became the first head of government to visit Myanmar since the army's takeover.
"The timing of the [announcement of the verdicts] underlines the contempt with which [the head of the military-installed government] – Senior General Min Aung Hlaing's military council regards ASEAN initiatives to help end the crisis in Myanmar."
The sentencing of Suu Kyi was delayed several times before being handed down just two days after Hun visited Myanmar.
READ: Myanmar’s Suu Kyi sentenced to 4 more years in prison
As soon as he left the country, the military continued its clearance operations in Karenni State, shelling villages, burning homes to the ground, and preventing people from fleeing for safety.
"The sentencing of Suu Kyi and the military atrocities have shown that despite Hun's stated goals for his visit, his engagement with the junta has only emboldened continued military repression of the Myanmar people," Charles said.
"ASEAN and its chair must respond, or risk losing leverage to affect positive change in Myanmar for the coming year."
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.