Different international agencies and heads of states have expressed hopes that Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will win the upcoming national election and continue her legacy of development and democracy.
They expressed their hopes during separate meetings with the prime minister at the bilateral meeting room of the UN headquarters on Wednesday, Foreign Secretary Md Shahidul Haque told reporters after the meetings, reports UNB.
They hoped that, by coming to power again, Hasina's government will continue the progress of economic growth and development that have been reflected in the regional stability, Hasina's role in the Rohingya issue and regional economic development during her tenure, Shahidul said.
He said from the discussions it became clear that the global reading is leaning towards the prime minister forming the government after the next national election.
The prime minister had separate meetings with Estonian President Kersti Kaljulaid, UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) Filippo Grandi, Unicef Executive Director Henrietta Fore, UN Secretary General's Special Envoy on Myanmar Ambassador Christine Schraner Burgener and High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Federica Mogherini at the UN headquarters, on Wednesday.
The heads of states and international agencies wished for the next general election to be a free, fair and participatory one, Shahidul said. They also hoped that there will be the continuity of the current trend of democracy and development.
‘Solution to Rohingya crisis lies in Myanmar’
They lauded Sheikh Hasina for her liberal policy and humane gesture towards the Rohingya issue, and appreciated her decision to take in the Rohingyas at a time when many countries have created controversies regarding sheltering displaced people, the foreign secretary said.
The prime minister emphasized the international community's intervention to ensure the safe repatriation of Rohingyas back to Myanmar.
She talked about her government's initiative to move the displaced Rohingyas from the refugee camps to Bhashan Char Island, Shahidul said.
According to the foreign secretary, a general agreement was reached during the meetings that the solution to the Rohingya crisis lies in Myanmar, and not in Bangladesh.
Myanmar will have to recognize Rohingyas as citizens for their repatriation back to their country- until then, Bangladesh, with support from the international communities, should look after the Rohingyas, the heads of states and international agencies said.
UN Secretary General's Special Envoy on Myanmar Ambassador Christine Schraner Burgener said she would be able to convince the Myanmar government to create a suitable environment in the northern Rakhine state so that Rohingya people can go back to their country.
