Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will place a new specific proposal at the UN General Assembly to find a lasting solution to the Rohingya crisis, says Foreign Minister Dr AK Adbul Momen. Prime Minister will seek speedy global efforts to repatriate Rohingyas in putting pressure on Myanmar for the safe return of Rohingya people to their homeland in Rakhine State during the 74th UNGA being held from September 17 and 30 in New York, he said.
Foreign Minister Dr AK Adbul Momen made the remarks while briefing the media about Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's participation at the UNGA and high level meetings on various issues at foreign ministry auditorium on Wednesday. “Myanmar depends on many foreign countries. And these counties have assured us of extending all out cooperation in Rohingya repatriation process,” he said adding that, “China stands by Bangladesh in Rohingya repatriation efforts.”
“They said it is urgently needed to repatriate the Rohingyas. And definitely, China will cooperate with us to this end,” he said. He said that Myanmar will have to solve the Rohingya crisis as it was created by them. According to UN’s report, “Nearly 750,000 Rohingya fled to Bangladesh after the August 2017 military crackdown, which was perpetrated with "genocidal intent".
Bangladesh is now home to some 1.1 million Rohingyas after the latest exodus, many of whom refuse to go back, fearing more violence. Hundreds of thousands of Rohingyas who still remain inside Myanmar face systematic persecution and are living under the threat of genocide, repeating its calls for top generals to face trial, UN report has recently said.
According to the officials of foreign ministry, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is expected to fly from Dhaka to USA on Friday (Sept 20). A Biman Bangladesh Airline’s special flight is scheduled to take off from the Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport at 3:25pm and land at Abu Dhabi International Airport at 6:30pm (local time).
On Sept 22, Hasina is expected to board an Etihad Airways flight for New York. She is scheduled to arrive at the JFK Airport at 4:25pm (local time). Bangladesh Ambassador to the US Mohammad Ziauddin and Permanent Representative of Bangladesh to the UN Masud Bin Momen will receive her.
On Sept 23, the prime minister will co-chair the Multi-stakeholder Panel to be held in parallel to the High-level meeting on Universal Health Coverage at the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) Chamber. Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez will also attend as Co-chair. The theme of the panel is UHC as driver of equity, inclusive development and prosperity for all.
She might deliver national statement at the plenary session of the high-level meeting on Universal Health Coverage at the Trusteeship Council, deliver a statement at the Climate Action Summit on the theme ‘Climate Action Summit 2019: A Race We Can Win: A Race We Must Win' at General Assembly Hall and attend Recognising Political Leadership for Immunisation in Bangladesh organised by GAVI at Conference Room 1 in the UN headquarters. On Sept 24, Hasina will hold bilateral meeting with her Indian counterpart Narendra Modi at the Kennedy Room, Lotte New York Palace Hotel.
