Canadian PM Trudeau writes to Hasina conveying support on Rohingya issue

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has written to Sheikh Hasina conveying his support to Bangladesh on the Rohingya crisis and the appointment of a special envoy to Myanmar.

bdnews24.com obtained a copy of the letter in which Trudeau has recognised the “strong and important” leadership of Bangladesh to help bring the stability to this situation.

“We would like to support you in these efforts,” he wrote.

Canada has been vocal against Myanmar since the beginning of the mass Rohingya exodus on Aug 25. Over half a million Rohingyas have fled the violence in Rakhine State in over a month since Aug 25, raising the number of total refugees living in Bangladesh to around 900,000.

Canada has issued four statements since then expressing its concern over the gross violations of human rights in Rakhine and asked the Myanmar authorities to ensure safe return of the Rohingya refugees from Bangladesh.

Trudeau said he was “alarmed” by the situation of the Rohingya community and other ethnic minorities in Myanmar.

He also recognised and applauded Prime Minister Hasina's government for sheltering them.

“I firmly believe that helping Myanmar chart a pathway to promote equality, social cohesion and reconciliation on the basis of the full protection and defense of the rights of all minorities will lead to lasting peace.”

The Canadian Prime Minister also supported the Kofi Annan advisory commission report and said immediate action to support the implementation of these recommendations can help restore stability.

“We maintain that there must be accountability for the human rights violations on the basis of independent and impartial investigation.”

“Canada believes in the importance of protecting the rights of refugees and supporting a process between Bangladesh and Myanmar which facilitates the safe and dignified return of Rohingya refugees to their place of origin.

“We also firmly believe that this return must be accompanied by a firm commitment to address their citizenship, rights and equality before the law.”

Trudeau also referred to the Bangladesh-Canada relations and said both countries have “enjoyed a long and important relationship, built upon our shared values of democratic and pluralism".

“Our people-to-people ties and the Canadian-Bangladeshi community continue to be an important contribution to Canadian prosperity and to the multi-cultural fabric of Canada,” he said.

“Canada has continued to provide humanitarian assistance to help your goverment respond to the situation and we commit to doing more.”

He indicated sending his newly appointed special envoy, lawyer and public servant Bob Rae, to Bangladesh to meet the prime minister and his senior officials to discuss the situation and ways that Canada can cooperate.