Bangladesh has stressed on the international community’s responsibility towards establishing and supporting accountability and justice for the massive human rights violations perpetrated against Rohingyas in Myanmar.
In a meeting with United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet in Geneva, Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen also reiterated Bangladesh’s strong commitment to promoting the safe, dignified and voluntary return of the Rohingya in a conducive environment in Myanmar.
He conveyed Bangladesh’s readiness to work with Myanmar, UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNCHR), Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) and other concerned parties to bring about sustainable and durable solution, according to the Foreign Ministry on Wednesday.
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Dr Momen is on a three-day visit to Geneva to participate in the Asia-Pacific regional review meeting of the LDCs, convened jointly by the Government of Bangladesh, UN-OHRLLS and UN-ESCAP at the UN Headquarters in Geneva in preparation for the Fifth UN Conference on the Least Developed Countries (UNLDC-5).
Meeting with WTO director general
During his meeting with Director General of the World Trade Organization (WTO) Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Foreign Minister Dr Momen urged for continuation of LDC-specific flexibilities and exemptions available under the WTO rules and provisions for the LDCs after graduation
He expressed concerns for possible negative impacts on the development momentum of the graduated countries if they lose the international support measures (ISMs).
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Referring to LDC group’s submission in the WTO for extension of LDC-specific ISMs, the foreign minister expressed hope for a favourable decision in the upcoming 12th ministerial conference to be held on November in Geneva.
Meeting with ILO director general
In the meeting with ILO Director General Guy Ryder, Foreign Minister Momen highlighted the incremental progresses that Bangladesh has made in the RMG sector, which was duly recognized and appreciated by the DG.
He emphasized on the initiatives taken by the government of Bangladesh during the pandemic for the welfare and protection of the RMG sector workers.
No garment factory worker was terminated from service during Covid-19 pandemic, thanks to different stimulus packages and initiatives of the government, the minister claimed.
