Rohingya
UN adopts resolution on human rights of Rohingya, other minorities in Myanmar
The UN General Assembly (UNGA) has adopted a resolution "on the situation of human rights of Rohingya Muslims and other minorities in Myanmar" without a vote.
"We would like to see the increased role of the regional countries and the regional organisations in resolving the Rohingya crisis with enhanced urgency, before it turns into a regional security crisis," according to the statement of Bangladesh at the adoption of 3rd committee resolution on the situation of Rohingya Muslims in Myanmar.
In August 2017, the world witnessed the beginning of history's largest and fastest exodus, with hundreds and thousands of Rohingya fleeing their homes in Myanmar.
Over 750,000 Rohingya – including more than 400,000 children – entered Bangladesh seeking shelter and protection in a few weeks' time through a border that stretches only 41 kilometres.
Within a blink of an eye, Cox's Bazar which used to be a forest roamed by elephants became home to the world's largest refugee camp.
With the caseload from previous exoduses, currently, 1.2 million Rohingya minorities live in the camps in Bangladesh.
The situation in Myanmar continues to deteriorate. Not a single Rohingya was able to return in the last five years.
The Rohingyas left in Myanmar are also faced with continued persecution and threats of displacement, Bangladesh said.
The country welcomed the adoption of the resolution by the 3rd committee, which is seen as a manifestation of a collective commitment to do right by the Rohingya.
Read more: Myanmar situation doesn't allow full-scale Rohingya repatriation now: Japan
Bangladesh also welcomed the resolution's continued focus on the need to address the root causes of the Rohingya crisis, including in the context of current developments in Myanmar.
The country expressed strong support to the mandates of the special envoy of the secretary general, special rapporteur on the human rights situation of Myanmar, and the Independent Investigative Mechanism on Myanmar, and remained committed to providing full cooperation to them.
Pending their return, the Rohingyas living in the camps deserve the solidarity of the international community. The humanitarian response plan needs to be adequately funded.
"Equally important is to ensure enhanced coherence in the work of the peace, development and humanitarian actors in Myanmar to ensure long-term impacts for the minorities at risk including the prospective returnees. Pursuing the ongoing accountability tracks is also important as a confidence-building measure," Bangladesh said.
"We believe this resolution will give us the much-needed impetus to reinforce our collective efforts to achieve durable solutions for the Rohingyas," it added.
Read more: Bangladesh seeks OIC’s help to continue Rohingya genocide case
Australia to send millions to Bangladesh, Myanmar for food, shelter
Australia will provide $135 million in 2022-23 for life-saving food, water and shelter in Bangladesh and Myanmar through partner organisations.
The package of support builds on $480 million provided since 2017 to people across Myanmar, forcibly displaced Myanmar nationals, Rohingya, and host communities in Bangladesh.
It will also deliver essential protection, education and health services for those most in need, including women, girls and people with disabilities, the Australian foreign ministry said in a statement Thursday.
Since the military coup in February 2021, the number of people in humanitarian need in Myanmar has surged from 1 million to an estimated 14.4 million.
Read: Bangladesh seeks OIC’s help to continue Rohingya genocide case
Australia commended Bangladesh's ongoing support to over 919,000 displaced Rohingya who rely on humanitarian assistance to survive while recognising the ongoing impact on communities hosting the Rohingya.
"Australia's humanitarian assistance will be delivered through the United Nations, the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement and non-government organisations," the Australian foreign ministry said.
Read: EU announces € 3m for Rohingyas in Bhasan Char
"All partner organisations have proven capacity to deliver neutral and independent humanitarian assistance and reach those most in need. They are carefully chosen to ensure that Australia's assistance does not directly benefit or legitimise the military regime in Myanmar."
Bangladesh seeks OIC’s help to continue Rohingya genocide case
Bangladesh Ambassador to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) and Permanent Representative to the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Mohammad Javed Patwari has sought the help of OIC member states to continue the Rohingya genocide case lodged by Gambia at the International Court of Justice (ICJ).
Javed sought the help at the ad-hoc meeting of OIC ministers on Myanmar’s accountability for violating the human rights of the Rohingyas — held in Jeddah on Thursday.
“Bangladesh has already provided USD .5 million to the volunteer fund to continue the Rohingya genocide case at ICJ and is about to provide USD .2 million more in the coming days. Besides, we’ve built new infrastructure at Bhasan Char for the Rohingya people at a cost of USD 350 million, which has been allocated from our own fund,” Javed said.
Read: EU announces € 3m for Rohingyas in Bhasan Char
Javed added that Bangladesh needs the help of OIC countries as the assistance received till now is much less than the required amount.
“The solution to the Rohingya problem through ICJ is a long-term process and we need to carry on our activities to this end intensively. It’s a question of providing justice to an uprooted people who have been deprived of their ethnic existence. That’s why all of us need to show solidarity, support and provide assistance to the ICJ case,” Javed added.
During the meeting, the ambassador praised the voluntary contributions and pledges made by some OIC countries and thanked Gambia’s representatives at the ICJ along with OIC Secretariat and member states for lodging the case against Myanmar.
Read: Dhaka seeks proactive role from Thailand, ASEAN to repatriate Rohingya
The meeting was presided over by Gambia’s Minister of Justice Dawda Jallow. Permanent representatives of OIC countries including Saudi Arabia and Turkey also spoke during the meeting.
EU announces € 3m for Rohingyas in Bhasan Char
The European Union (EU) has announced additional Euro 3 million support for the Rohingyas in Bhasan Char.
EU Commissioner for Home Affairs YIva Johansson announced the assistance at an event at the EU Embassy in the city’s Gulshan on Thursday.
Ylva Johansson arrived in Dhaka this morning on a two-day official visit to discuss the issues of mutual interest with special focus on security matters.
Read more: Dhaka seeks proactive role from Thailand, ASEAN to repatriate Rohingya
At the event, State Minister for Disaster Management Enamur Rahman said, “We are happy to hear that the EU will provide € 3m as humanitarian aid for the Rohingyas in Bhasan Char. They also helped the Rohingyas in Cox's Bazar. The Government of Bangladesh expressed gratitude to the European Union for the support.”
Enamur said the Bangladesh government is trying to ensure all kinds of humanitarian assistance to the Rohingyas.
The nutrition situation among the Rohingyas in Cox's Bazar and Bhasan Char has improved a lot, the state minister said adding violence among the Rohingyas has already been brought under control.
Read more: Elaborate scheme to provide Rohingya with NIDs at Tk 1 lakh each busted
Bangladesh is currently hosting over 1.1 million Rohingyas in camps in Cox's Bazar and Bhasan Char. Most of them have come to this country since August 25, 2017, when the Myanmar military launched a brutal offensive targeting the Muslim ethnic minorities.
Rohingya man shot dead in Cox’s Bazar
A Rohingya man was shot dead by some unidentified miscreants at Teknaf upazila in Cox’s Bazar on Monday night.
The deceased was identified as Mohammad Salam, 26, from Musni refugee camp in Teknaf, said Abdul Halim, Officer-in-Charge of Teknaf police station.
Read more: Rohingya leaders shot dead in Cox’s Bazar
Three unidentified men took wounded Salam to Kutopalong Hospital at Ukhiya where doctors announced him dead on arrival, said the OC.
The men who took Salam to the hospital fled the hospital, he said.
Salam was sued in two cases for drug peddling and murder, said the OC.
Myanmar’s military govt ‘willing to take back Rohingyas’ after verification: Momen
The current military government of Myanmar has agreed to honour all the previous agreements signed between Bangladesh and Myanmar, and has conveyed willingness to take back Rohingyas after verification, Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen said today.
“That’s good news, but there is no specific date (for the repatriation to begin),” Momen said.
The foreign minister also said that the Chinese side is yet come up with good news on Rohingya repatriation but they are continuing their efforts to that end. He was talking to reporters after his meeting with Chinese Ambassador Li Jiming.
Read: Rohingya repatriation: Dhaka may seek updates on Beijing's efforts
“My discussion (with the Chinese ambassador) today focused on Myanmar and the Rohingya issues,” Momen said.
The hour-long meeting was held at the State Guesthouse Padma. The foreign minister briefed media at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs later.
Momen said, “They (China) are facilitators, not decision-makers. We are requesting them again and again.”
The foreign minister said Rohingyas are a priority issue for Bangladesh. “We need a quick and sustainable solution to the crisis.”
Read: Momen seeks Kuwaiti, Iranian support on Rohingya issue
Responding to a question, Momen said there has been no discussion on the Teesta issue with the Chinese ambassador. “I said this issue was never raised to me.”
Momen said he has conveyed to the ambassador that China should play a role so that Rohingyas living on ‘zero point’ can be taken back to the Myanmar side.
He said the situation along the Bangladesh-Myanmar border has improved, which he sees as “good development”.
Momen sees Rohingya repatriation as a “new assignment”.
Read What PM said on Russia-Ukraine war, Rohingya issue, climate action, terrorism at 77th UNGA
Another Rohingya camp leader gets shot in Cox’s Bazar
A Rohingya leader of camp No 9 sustained a bullet injury in an attack by miscreants in Ukhiya upazila of Cox’s Bazar on Tuesday night.
Mohammad Hossain is a leader, locally known as Head Majhi, of the Rohingya camp No 9 in Balukhali Moinakhonar area of the upazila.
Sheikh Mohammad Ali, officer-in-charge of Ukhiya Police Station, confirmed the matter and said the Rohingya leader received three bullets in his body during the attack around 8pm, leaving him critically injured.
Read: Man arrested in fatal shooting of student at SUNY-Potsdam
He was rushed to Cox’s Bazar Sadar Hospital where has been undergoing treatment, he said adding that no one has been arrested so far.
What PM said on Russia-Ukraine war, Rohingya issue, climate action, terrorism at 77th UNGA
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Friday demanded immediate end to the Russia-Ukraine war and lifting sanctions for the sake of lives and livelihoods of people worldwide.
“We want the end of Russia-Ukraine war. Due to sanctions, and counter-sanctions, not a single country, rather the entire mankind including women and children is punished,” she said.
The Prime Minister made the call while delivering her statement at the 77th session of United Nations General Assembly (UNGA).
Also read: Hasina breaks down in tears while talking about everyday ordeals of Rohingyas
Like previous years, she delivered her statement in Bangla. The theme of this year's general debate is “A watershed moment: transformative solutions to interlocking challenges”.
She mentioned that the impact of Russia-Ukraine war does not remain confined to one country, rather puts the lives and livelihoods of the people of all nations in greater risk, and infringes their human rights. People are deprived of food, shelter, healthcare and education.
She said Children suffer the most in particular and their future sinks into darkness. “My urge to the conscience of the world community- stop the arms race, war and sanctions. Ensure food and security of the children. Establish peace,” she said.
Read Homelessness is a curse that impacts people everywhere: PM
“We share one planet, and we owe it to our future generations to leave it in a better shape,” she said.
“Dialogue is the best way to resolve crises and disputes,” she added.
In this context, she thanked the UN Secretary General for setting up the Global Crisis Response Group.
“As a champion of this group, I am working with other world leaders to determine a global solution commensurate with the gravity and depth of the current situation,” said the Bangladesh premier.
Read Dhaka-Washington: A thaw in the offing?
“This (war) has brought economies like ours under tremendous pressure. Inflation has gone up. We (Bangladesh) are taking various initiatives to overcome this situation,” she noted.
Rohingya crisis may affect regional stability and beyond
Talking about the forcibly displaced Rohingyas from Myanmar, Sheikh Hasina said, Last month Bangladesh witnessed five years of the 2017 mass exodus of Rohingyas to Bangladesh from their home country.
“Not a single Rohingya was repatriated to their ancestral home Myanmar, despite our bilateral engagements with them, discussions with partners in trilateral format and engagements with the UN and other partners to assist Myanmar to create necessary conditions for safe and dignified repatriation,” she complained.
Read UNGA lauds Bangladesh’s leadership in promoting culture of peace
In this connection, she said the ongoing political turmoil and armed conflicts in the country has made possibilities of Rohingya repatriation more difficult. “I hope the United Nations will play an effective role in this regard,” the PM added.
Talking about the prolonged presence of Rohingyas in Bangladesh, she said, it has caused serious ramifications on the economy, environment, security, and socio-political stability in Bangladesh.
“Uncertainty over repatriation has led to widespread frustration. Cross-border organized crimes including human and drug trafficking are on the rise,” she said, adding that this situation can potentially fuel radicalization.
Read Citing abstention at UNGA vote on Ukraine, Lithuania withdraws vaccine donation to Dhaka
“If the problem persists, it may affect security and stability of the entire region, and beyond,” she cautioned.
Promote inclusive climate action
Regarding the impact of climate change she said it is one of the biggest threats for humankind. “In the past, we have seen a vicious cycle of promises being made and broken. We must now change this course,” she said.
In Bangladesh, she mentioned that the government has led to many transformative measures to tackle perilous impacts of climate change consistent with implementing the Paris Agreement and achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.
Read Fear grips border areas as Myanmar fighter jets fire towards Bangladesh
During Bangladesh’s Presidency of Climate Vulnerable Forum, it launched ‘Mujib Climate Prosperity Plan’, which aims to put Bangladesh on a sustainable trajectory from “one of vulnerability to resilience to climate prosperity,” she said.
“Our national plans and policies on climate change and natural disaster are gender responsive and take into account the critical role of women in adaptation and mitigation,” said Hasina.
She said Bangladesh is ready to support other vulnerable countries to develop their own prosperity plans. “I call on world leaders to promote inclusive climate action,” she said.
Read PM in NY: Rohingyas living in Myanmar’s Arakan since 8th century
Zero tolerance policy on terrorism and extremism
The Prime Minister reiterated Bangladesh’s stance of 'zero tolerance' to terrorism and violent extremism. “We do not allow our territory to be used by any party to incite or cause terrorist acts or harm to others,” she said.
She also called upon the UN member states to work together for the conclusion of an internationally binding instrument to tackle cyber-crimes and cyber-violence.
Bangladesh fully committed to protecting human rights
As a responsible member state, Bangladesh is fully committed to protecting and promoting human rights of its own people, PM Hasina said. “We have adopted a holistic and inclusive approach to ensure the political, economic, cultural and social rights of the people.”
Read Myanmar’s shelling inside Bangladesh “unintentional mistake”, Momen says in NY
She said Bangladesh is interested in looking for transformative solutions to poverty alleviation, mitigating climate change effects, preventing conflicts and finance, energy and fuel crises that the world is grappling with now.
Dhaka to continue supporting Palestine
The premier said Bangladesh will continue to extend its support to the occupied Palestinian people.
She reiterated Bangladesh’s unequivocal support for the two-state solution based on pre-1967 borders and the establishment of a Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital.
Read Helicopters attack school, village in north-central Myanmar, 7 children among 13 killed
Briefly describing the success of Bangladesh in controlling COVID-19, she said, as of August 2022, hundred percent of the eligible population of Bangladesh have been vaccinated.
Besides, in the 77th UN General Assembly 2022, Bangladesh prime minister Sheikh Hasina highlighted the economic progress of the country, its successes in different sectors including education, food security and health, and gender inequality.
2 Bangladesh projects win 2022 Aga Khan Award for Architecture
Two Bangladesh projects are amongst six winners of the 2022 Aga Khan Award for Architecture (AKAA).
A monograph that includes essays on issues raised by the Master Jury’s selections of the shortlist and the winners for the 2022 Award will be published by Architangle in October 2022, according to a message received from Geneva.
The Urban River Spaces project in Jhenaidah created by Khondakar Hasibul Kabir and Suhailey Farzana, and the community spaces of the Rohingya Refugee Response program by architects Rizvi Hassan, Khwaja Fatmi and Saad Ben Mostafa will share the US$1 million award with four other winning projects.
Read: Bangladeshi projects shortlisted for Aga Khan Award for Architecture 2022
Myanmar’s shelling inside Bangladesh “unintentional mistake”, Momen says in NY
Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen on Tuesday termed Myanmar’s recent mortar shelling inside Bangladesh “unintentional mistake”.
He said this while addressing a press conference — on Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s itinerary at the 77th UNGA — at Hotel Lotte in New York.
The foreign minister said Myanmar authorities informed them that they are not shelling, targeting Bangladesh.
Read Myanmar claims mortar shells fired by Arakan Army, ARSA on its border forces landed in Bangladesh
“That particular border area is very crisscrossed. Sometimes it is difficult to understand the border…for that reason, they are not shelling inside our border intentionally,” Momen said. One or two mortar shells that landed inside the Bangladesh border were dropped by mistake, he said.
He also said that Bangladesh foreign ministry summoned the Myanmar ambassador and the Myanmar authority promised that they will remain cautious.
Momen said Bangladesh has sealed the entire border and will not allow any more Rohingyas cross into the country.
Read Malaysian foreign minister, int’l lawmakers demand decisive action on Myanmar
He also mentioned that some Rohingyas went to the China area as they did not dare to come to the Bangladesh side.
He hoped that the displaced Rohingyas, who are staying in Bangladesh, would return to their homeland.
The foreign minister said Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has reiterated her call to the international community and the United Nations to play a more active role in repatriation of the forcibly displaced Rohingyas to their motherland Myanmar.
Read Tension at Bangladesh-Myanmar border: Govt plans to evacuate 300 families
She made the call while UN High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi paid a courtesy call on her in New York.
Sheikh Hasina also emphasized enhancing UNHCR's activities in Myanmar for solving the Rohingya issue.
In response, Filippo Grandi said he would visit Myanmar soon.
Read BGB, Coast Guard asked to remain alert with “reinforcement”, if needed
The PM reiterated that the Rohingya crisis can only be resolved by repatriating them to Myanmar.
The UNHCR High Commissioner also agreed with her on this matter.
During the meeting, they discussed in detail the present operations of UNHCR to help Rohingyas who took shelter in Cox's Bazar and Bhashanchar in Bangladesh.
Read BNP urges global community to act against Myanmar's insolent activities
Later, Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC) Karim A A Khan QC also called on Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
They discussed various aspects of cooperation between Bangladesh and the ICC.
The Premier has assured the ICC Prosecutor that Bangladesh will continue to cooperate with all ongoing efforts at the ICC to ensure justice and accountability for the Rohingya victims of torture in Myanmar.
Read Do more to cut Myanmar military's revenue, arms supply: UN to countries
ICC Prosecutor Karim Khan has expressed interest in visiting Bangladesh again early next year.
Executive Director of the UN-Habitat Maimunah Mohd Sharif paid a courtesy call on the Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina as well.
In this meeting, the steps for sustainable urbanisation taken by the Bangladesh government and areas of future cooperation were discussed.
Read Bangladesh-Myanmar border tension: ASEAN envoys to relay Dhaka's concerns
In this connection, the Prime Minister informed him about the success of the Ashrayan Project undertaken by the Government of Bangladesh for the landless and homeless people.