Bangladesh is concerned that the situation in Myanmar continues to remain unsafe for civilians, especially for the ethnic and religious minorities such as Rohingyas, Ambassador Rabab Fatima has said. While referring to the precarious security situation in Myanmar which is causing a delay in the repatriation of the Rohingyas, she also expressed concern about the denial of access to the UN and other humanitarian agencies in the country. Ambassador Fatima was speaking at the UN Security Council (UNSC) Open Debate Wednesday. She said the protection of civilians (POC) is an important national priority for Bangladesh, and the country remains committed to all efforts to strengthen it. Convened by the US delegation as the current president of the Council, the debate focused on the protection of civilians in armed conflicts. It discussed possible practical measures that the UNSC can take in the context of denial of humanitarian access, and attacks against humanitarian workers, among others. The Bangladesh ambassador said the protection of civilians remains a serious challenge in the context of ongoing conflicts, protracted humanitarian crises and growing forced displacement. While humanitarian needs are soaring, access remains a major challenge. Ambassador Fatima mentioned Bangladesh's commitment to the protection of civilians, and the role its peacekeepers play in fulfilling this mandate. "Nearly 7,000 peacekeepers from Bangladesh are serving in some of the most challenging missions, providing security at civilian sites, ensuring unhindered humanitarian services, supporting delivery of health and social services, community engagement and empowerment of women and youths," she added. However, the peacekeepers and the humanitarian workers are increasingly becoming targets of attacks, often fueled by misinformation and disinformation. The ambassador suggested that the relevant UN entities develop effective communications strategies to combat this. She also emphasised ensuring that the peacekeeping missions are adequately resourced and equipped to fulfil their POC mandates. Ambassador Fatima also called for increased awareness of compliance with international humanitarian law by all parties to the conflicts. She also stressed the importance of holding the perpetrators accountable for violations of international humanitarian law. "Targeting civilians, schools, hospitals, and humanitarian actors cannot be condoned under any pretext. These attacks must be investigated and accounted for." Also read: FM urges UNHCR to expedite efforts at Rohingya repatriation to Myanmar

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will urge the G20 to demand accountability from Taliban based on the recent United Nations Security Council (UNSC) resolution on Afghanistan and call for an inclusive government in Kabul with participation of minorities and women at the G20 Extraordinary Summit on Afghanistan on Tuesday, reports The Economic Times. Modi, who will be joined by US President Joe Biden among other G20 leaders in the virtual event, is also expected to highlight the possibility of external players (read Pakistan) seeking to use Afghan territory to promote cross-border terror, people aware of the matter told ET. Last month, India had stated that the global approach to address the Afghan crisis must be guided by the UNSC resolution 2593 that demands that the territory of Afghanistan must not be used for terrorism or attack on any other country and that a negotiated political settlement should be found out to the conflict in the country. The resolution specifically refers to terrorist individuals proscribed by UNSC including those belonging to Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jaish-e-Mohammad. Also read: Eye on China, India looks to step up engagement with Indian Ocean Foreign secretary Harsh Shringla had last month said there was recognition of the need to uphold human rights, including of women and minorities, and to encourage all parties for an “inclusive, negotiated political settlement” and that India expected the international community to remain both responsive and united to deal with the Afghan crisis. He had also said the UNSC resolution, adopted during India's presidency of the UNSC in August, also sets expectations on safe passage and secure departure of Afghans and all foreign nationals who wish to leave that country. Prime minister Modi, during his address at the UN General Assembly last month, had said, “It is absolutely essential to ensure that Afghanistan's territory is not used to spread terrorism and for terrorist activities. We also need to ensure that no country tries to take advantage of delicate situation in Afghanistan and use it for its own selfish interests. At this time, people of Afghanistan, women and children, minorities need help. We must fulfil our duties by providing them with help.” He had also highlighted the threat from the radical ideology. Also read: India 'reviewing' Taliban's request for resumption of Kabul flights Earlier in September, addressing the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit, Modi had indicated that India would refrain from recognising the Taliban government in the near future and pointed out that the change in power in Afghanistan was not inclusive and happened without negotiations. This raised questions over the acceptance of the new system, he had said. Similar views were expressed by Russian President Vladimir Putin on the same occasion. The G20 Extraordinary Summit convened by the group’s current chair Italy will seek to build upon UNSC resolution on Afghanistan and explore options to supply humanitarian aid without recognising the current Taliban regime, ET has learnt. China has been lukewarm to the proposal of convening a special G20 summit on Afghanistan. It is expected to be represented by foreign minister Wang Yi. Italy holds the rotating G20 presidency this year and its Prime Minister Mario Draghi had recently discussed Afghanistan including the special summit with world leaders including Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping. “We have to see whether there are shared objectives among the G20 nations...we have reached a point where we only need to worry about saving lives,: Draghi had said at a recent press meet. The international community must also lay down a strategy to prevent Afghanistan becoming a haven for militants, he had said. Qatar, the International Monetary Fund, the World Bank and the United Nations will also participate in the Tuesday’s extraordinary meet that is taking place ahead of the annual G20 summit in Rome on October 30-31. The Afghan crisis is fuelling worries within the European Union over the risk of massive flows of migrants and some member states have already opposed plans to accommodate refugees. Italy is of the opinion that systematic violation of women’s rights makes it impossible to recognise the Taliban regime but has urged foreign government to guarantee financial support to the Afghan civilians. “I believe it is the duty of the richest countries in the world to do something to avoid a humanitarian catastrophe,” Draghi had said at the press meet.  

As India took over the presidency of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), a senior diplomat said the stint would give the country an opportunity to play an important role yet again in shaping some of the important challenges on international peace and security. India’s permanent ambassador to the UN TS Tirumurti said there are three major areas on which focus would remain in August -- maritime security, peacekeeping and counter-terrorism. Read: India assumes rotating presidency of UN Security Council “Conflicts have increased in Covid times, putting considerable pressure on UN peacekeepers and resources. In this scenario, India's priority in the UN, particularly in the UNSC, has a very clear focus on issues that are directly relevant to the international community,” “For example international terrorism, peacekeeping, enhancing international peace and security, sensitivity to developing country issues especially Africa and small states, reformed multilateralism, and furthering the agenda of women and human-centric development,” the ambassador. Read: UNSC: Dhaka extends support to Tokyo's bid for permanent seat Speaking about India’s agenda for August that it can decide on as part of the rotating presidency, focus will be on the themes of maritime security, peacekeeping, and counter-terrorism and preside over three high-level signature events on these issues.

Indian Foreign Minister S Jaishankar said on Sunday India looks forward to "working productively" with other members of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) as the country takes over the presidency of the 15-nation UN body. Asian News International (ANI) quoted Jaishankar as saying that India will always be a voice of moderation, an advocate of dialogue and a proponent of international law. Read:UNSC: Dhaka extends support to Tokyo's bid for permanent seat "As we take over UNSC Presidency for August, look forward to working productively with other members. India will always be a voice of moderation, an advocate of dialogue and a proponent of international law," Jaishankar tweeted. India on Sunday assumed the rotating presidency of the UNSC and is set to host signature events related to maritime security, peacekeeping and counterterrorism during the month. India took over the presidency from France. Ambassador of India to United Nations, TS Tirumurti, thanked France Permanent Representative to the UN, Nicolas de Riviere, for steering the UN Security Council for the month of July. This is India's first presidency in the UNSC during its 2021-22 tenure as a non-permanent member of the UNSC. The two-year tenure of India as a non-permanent member of the UNSC began on 1st January, 2021.

Fortify Rights on Thursday said the United Kingdom government should implement recommendations made by the Foreign Affairs Committee and urgently draft a UN Security Council (UNSC) resolution to impose a global arms embargo and sanctions against the Myanmar military to deprive it of weapons and financial resources. On July 16, the British parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee published its report on the U.K. government’s response to the Myanmar crisis. The 30-page report stems from the Myanmar military’s attempted coup d’état on February 1 and subsequent deadly crackdown on peaceful protesters and others. It makes 30 recommendations to strengthen UK leadership on addressing the human rights catastrophe unfolding in Myanmar. Since February, the Myanmar army and police have killed more than 900 people and imprisoned more than 5,000. Since the military seized power, its forces have arbitrarily arrested, beat, and killed medical professionals and destroyed medical supplies and facilities, leaving Myanmar’s healthcare system in disarray as COVID-19 spreads throughout the country. Also read: In Myanmar, the military and police declare war on medics “As the UN Security Council’s ‘penholder’ on Myanmar, the U.K. is in a unique position to provide decisive leadership on this crisis,” said Ismail Wolff, Regional Director of Fortify Rights. “With increasing violence as well as mounting COVID-19 cases and deaths, the situation in Myanmar requires urgent international action.” The committee’s report is the culmination of an urgent inquiry launched on April 29, 2021 into what Committee Chair Tom Tugendhat described as the “flagrant human rights abuses and killings” occurring in Myanmar since the February 1 coup d’état. The committee received written submissions, including from Fortify Rights, on the Myanmar crisis and heard oral evidence from Myanmar National Unity Government (NUG) Minister of International Cooperation Dr. Sasa, U.N. Special Rapporteur on the human rights situation in Myanmar Thomas Andrews, human rights defender Thinzar Shunlei Yi, and others.   The committee’s report identifies freezing global arms sales to the Myanmar military as a “first priority,” recommending that the U.K. draft a U.N. Security Council resolution that would impose a global arms embargo. As the Security Council’s “penholder” on the Myanmar crisis, the U.K. has a responsibility to draft and propose resolutions. As a result of Security Council inertia, on June 18, the U.N. General Assembly took the rare step of issuing its own non-binding resolution calling for an arms embargo against Myanmar. The resolution enjoyed widespread international support, with 119 member states voting in favor of it and only one, Belarus, voting against it.   Also read: Human rights defenders in Myanmar under siege, say UN experts The Foreign Affairs Committee report also calls on the U.K. government to use its new status as an Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Dialogue Partner as well as its recently announced strategic “tilt” toward the Indo-Pacific arena to pressure regional powers to act. Fortify Rights noted in its submission to the committee that Singapore continues to extend banking services to the Myanmar military junta. As a global leader in banking and financial services, the U.K. could compel banking institutions dealing in pound sterling, including those in Singapore, to comply with U.K. sanctions against the Myanmar junta thereby cutting off a major source of revenue. The committee also recommended that the U.K. government “use its diplomatic influence to encourage border countries such as Thailand . . . to accept more refugees from Myanmar, and to meet their commitments of non-refoulement.” “The U.K. urgently needs to level up its response to the Myanmar crisis,” said Ismail Wolff. “People in Myanmar and across the world are calling out for international action to end the bloodshed. The U.K. government is in a unique position to effect change, and the Foreign Affairs Committee has set out a comprehensive road map of actions that the government would do well to follow.”

China puts forward a four-point proposal regarding escalating Palestine-Israel conflict, Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi said on Sunday. Wang made the remarks when chairing the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) open debate on "The Situation in the Middle East, including the Palestinian Question" via video link. Wang said that the escalating conflict between Israel and Palestine had resulted in a large number of casualties, including women and children. The situation is extremely critical and severe, and a ceasefire and cessation of violence is urgently needed. The international community must move forward with urgency to prevent the situation from further deteriorating, to prevent the region from falling again into turmoil, and to protect the lives of local people, Wang said. Read:Israel says Gaza tunnels destroyed in heavy airstrikes He said that the Palestinian question has always been the core of the Middle East issue. Only when the Palestinian question is resolved comprehensively, fairly and permanently, can the Middle East truly achieve lasting peace and universal security. In response to the current tense situation, Wang put forward a four-point proposition: First, ceasefire and cessation of violence is the top priority. China strongly condemns violent acts against civilians, and once again urges the two sides to immediately stop military and hostile actions, and stop actions that deteriorate the situation, including airstrikes, ground offensives, and rocket launches. Israel must exercise restraint in particular. Second, humanitarian assistance is an urgent need. China urges Israel to earnestly fulfill its obligations under international treaties, lift all the blockade and siege of Gaza as soon as possible, guarantee the safety and rights of civilians in the occupied Palestinian territory, and provide access for humanitarian assistance. The international community must provide humanitarian assistance to Palestine, and the UN must play a coordinating role to avoid serious humanitarian disasters. Third, international support is an obligation. The UNSC must take vigorous action on the Palestine-Israel conflict, reiterate its firm support for a "two-state solution," and push the situation to cool down at an early date. The UNSC has failed to make a unanimous voice due to the obstruction of one certain country. China calls on the United States to shoulder its due responsibilities, adopt a fair stand, and support the UNSC in playing its due role in easing the situation, rebuilding trust, and political settlement. China also supports the UN, the League of Arab States, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation and other countries that have an important influence on the region to play a more active role. Fourth, a "two-state solution" is the fundamental way out. China supports the two sides resuming peace talks based on a "two-state solution" as soon as possible, to establish an independent State of Palestine that enjoys full sovereignty with East Jerusalem as its capital and based on the 1967 border, and fundamentally realize the peaceful coexistence of Palestine and Israel, realize the harmonious coexistence of the Arab and Jewish nations, and realize lasting peace in the Middle East. Wang said that, since China assumed the rotating presidency of the UNSC, it has made responding to the current tensions in the Middle East a top priority and pushed the UNSC to deliberate on the Palestinian question many times. Read: Israel-Palestine conflict: China calls for UN council action, slams US "China will continue to intensify efforts to promote peace talks, and fulfill its duties as the rotating presidency of the UNSC," said Wang, adding that China reiterates its invitation to peacemakers from Palestine and Israel to hold dialogue in China, and welcomes negotiators from the two countries to hold direct talks in China. Wang urged unity; siding with peace, justice and fairness; standing by the right side of history; and practicing the real multilateralism, to push for the comprehensive, fair and permanent settlement of the Palestinian question at an early date. For the part of the attendees, they thanked China for chairing the event, and called for an immediate ceasefire and cessation of violence between Israel and Palestine, as well as cooling down of the situation while abiding by relevant UNSC resolutions and international laws. They also believed the UNSC members and the international community should speak with one voice to fairly promote the Palestine-Israel peace talks and the realization of peaceful coexistence between Palestine and Israel. 

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has requested India, as a member of the United Nations Security Council, to play a “strong role” in the early repatriation of the displaced Rohingyas to Myanmar. Prime Minister Hasina and her Indian counterpart Narendra Modi have reiterated the importance of safe, speedy and sustainable return of Rohingyas to their homeland for the greater security of the region. India which shares border with Bangladesh and Myanmar assured its continued support in this regard, according to joint statement issued on Prime Minister Modi’s two-day state visit that ended on Saturday. Also read: US urged to lead in finding durable solution to Rohingya crisis Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed appreciation at the generosity of Bangladesh in sheltering and providing humanitarian assistance to the 1.1 million forcibly displaced persons from the Rakhine State of Myanmar. Bangladesh and Myanmar signed the repatriation deal on November 23, 2017. On January 16, 2018, Bangladesh and Myanmar signed a document on ‘Physical Arrangement’, which was supposed to facilitate the return of Rohingyas to their homeland. Bangladesh says the Rohingyas do not trust their government, and Bangladesh gave a number of proposals to build trust among them. Also read: Dhaka seeks global community's constructive role in early Rohingya repatriation Bangladesh is trying in multiple ways -- bilaterally, multilaterally, tri-laterally and through the judicial system -- to find a lasting solution to the Rohingya crisis. Bangladesh proposed deployment of nonmilitary civilian observers from Myanmar’s friendly countries -- Japan, China, Russia, India and Asean countries.

Bangladesh has reiterated her support for Japan’s bid for a permanent seat at the UN Security Council as the two countries agreed to foster greater cooperation in the international fora including at the UN.

 The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) should “institute a coordinated, global arms embargo” against the Myanmar military, said Fortify Rights and 136 other organisations in an open letter to the HR body and UN member states on Wednesday.

UN Security Council members have reiterated the need for addressing the root causes of the crisis in Rakhine State and creating conditions necessary for the safe, voluntary, sustainable and dignified return of Rohingyas.