Bangladesh did not seek UN assistance to bring Hasina back from India: Foreign adviser
UN chief expressed concern with the disinformation targeted against Bangladesh, adviser says
Highlights:
- UN chief's support would help us in reform process, Touhid says
- UN chief expresses concern with disinformation targeted against Bangladesh
- Guterres spoke aloud to draw urgent attention to Rohingyas
Bangladesh did not discuss seeking assistance from United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres to bring deposed prime minister Sheikh Hasina back from India, Foreign Affairs Adviser Touhid Hossain said today (15 March).
In a joint press briefing with the UN secretary-general, the adviser made the disclosure in response to a question from reporters.
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Touhid said, "The UN secretary general appreciated the complexities of the reform process for a free and fair election and a 'real transformation' of the country. He promised the UN's total commitment to the reform process under the leadership of chief adviser and said he will do whatever he can do to support the endeavours of the interim government, and stand by Bangladesh and its people."
The UN chief also expressed concern with the disinformation targeted against Bangladesh, Touhid said.
"His visit would more than counterweigh the misinformation and disinformation campaign and the attempts to destabilise Bangladesh. His assurance of support would help us in our successful reform process and our transition to democracy in line with the common aspiration of the people of Bangladesh," he added.
To understand the peoples' aspirations of the future Bangladesh, the secretary general graced three meetings with youth, civil societies as well as with the members of the reform commissions whose contributions are paving the way for the July Charter – the blueprint for country's democratic transition, and draw the political, judicial, electoral, administrative, anti-corruption and police reforms, Touhid said.
During this visit, the secretary general learnt how desperately the Rohingyas want to return to their motherland, uphold their identity, enjoy their rights in the land they own and live a life they consider dignified, he added.
"They [Rohingyas] were loud and clear that they see a dignified life in their forefather's land, Rakhine, not in the neighbouring country's shelter, the Cox's Bazar camp. They said 'even an insect has its own home but we don't have one'. Thus, they defined voluntariness and dignity for themselves. The secretary general with his gracious presence at the Rohingya camp expressed solidarity to the cravings of the Rohingyas.
"He [Guterres] spoke aloud to draw the urgent attention of the international community to extend all-out support to stand by the Rohingyas to keep the spotlight on them – the most discriminated people of the world. He also assured to provide his support to the successful holding of the UN conference on Rohingya in September 2025," the foreign adviser further said.
