Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina highlighted both the issues of trial of top Myanmar military officials involved in 2017 Rohingya genocide and the sustainable Rohingya repatriation. These two pertinent issues were widely discussed in the ongoing NAM Summit in Azerbaijan capital of Baku.
On the inaugural day of the summit, on Friday, Hasina raised the issue during two sideline meetings respectively with Iranian president and Malaysian prime minister in the 18th NAM Summit at Baku Congress Centre in Azerbaijan.
Expressing solidarity with the premier’s message, different heads of states also demanded trial of top Myanmar military and civil leaders responsible for the genocide of Rohingyas.
They also demanded immediate and sustainable repatriation of the minority Muslim community of Myanmar to the country.
Trial of genocide perpetrators demanded
Demanding trial of senior Myanmar army Generals for involvement in Rohingya genocide, Malaysian Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohammad said, “Malaysia and other ASEAN nations will continue to do whatever is necessary to bring the perpetrators of the genocide to book as well as to ensure safe and sustainable repatriation of the Rohingyas to their motherland in Rakhain state of Myanmar.”
The Malaysian prime minister made the demand in his bilateral meeting with Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina at Baku Congress Centre on Friday (Oct 25) afternoon, reports state news agency BSS.
“I think that genocide was committed on the Rohingyas in Myanmar and its trial should be held,” said Mahathir.
After the meeting, Foreign Secretary Md Shahidul Haque briefed reporters.
The Malaysian prime minister said he and other ASEAN members would continue to do whatever is necessary for solution to the Rohingya problem.
Dr Mahathir told the Bangladesh prime minister that Malaysia would continue operation of its hospital in Cox’s Bazar and wanted to know from her about Bhashanchar Island where the
Haque said that Sheikh Hasina apprised the Malaysian prime minister of different aspects of the island including its safety and security.
Simultaneously, the Bangladesh prime minister explained to him about the present state of the island.
The Malaysian prime minister said his government would continue work to recruit more Bangladeshi workers.
He also talked about safety and security of the Bangladeshi workers in Malaysia, the foreign secretary said.
Terming Malaysia’s ties with Bangladesh as very deep, Dr Mahathir assured that the Malaysian investment in Bangladesh would boost further.
Tehran to put pressure on Myanmar
Iranian President Hassan Rouhani in a meeting with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina at Baku Congress Centre on Friday said that Tehran would continue work for creating international pressure on Myanmar for the solution to the protracted Rohingya crisis, report agencies.
The Iranian president gave the assurance in his meeting with Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina at Baku Congress Centre in Azerbaijan on the side-lines of the 18th NAM Summit on Friday (Oct 25) afternoon, reports BSS.
“We’ll continue work whatever is necessary for mounting international pressure on Myanmar for a solution to the Rohingya crisis and bringing back their nationals from Bangladesh,” he said.
After the meeting, Foreign Secretary Md Shahidul Haque briefed reporters.
Rouhani extended his sincere thanks to the prime minister for giving shelter to over 1.1 million Rohingyas in Bangladesh.
He said Iran would continue support to the forcibly displaced Myanmar people.
Sheikh Hasina thanked the Iranian president for their commitment on the Rohingya issue.