Bangladesh seeks UK’s ‘sustained leadership’ on Rohingya issue

Bangladesh wants the ‘sustained diplomatic leadership’ of the United Kingdom in the United Nations to resolve the Rohingya crisis, State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shahriar Alam has said.

Speaking at an event marking Bangladesh’s independence in London, the state minister called for the “strong and unremitting” support of the UK – the top donor in the humanitarian response to the Rohingya crisis – to tackle the issue.

The UK is also vocal at the UN Security Council for the safe and sustainable return of Rohingyas to their home country – Myanmar.

“We would like to see UK’s sustained diplomatic leadership in the UN in New York, Geneva and the Security Council for safe and sustainable return of Rohingyas to Myanmar," the state minister said.

The Bangladesh High Commission organised the 49th Bangladesh Independence and National Day reception in London at the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) for the members of the British parliament, diplomats, academia and community leaders on Wednesday.

High Commissioner Saida Muna Tasneem greeted the guests and delivered the welcome speech at the reception.

Deputy Leader of the House of Lords and Minister of State for Defence Earl Howe, Commonwealth Secretary General Patricia Scotland, Secretary General of the IMO Kitack Lim and a good number of members of House of Lords and baronesses attended the event.

They praised Bangladesh’s progress, particularly in the fields of economy and social sector under the leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, according to the Bangladesh mission.

Shahriar Alam thanked the British parliamentarians, the people and the media for raising their voices for the displaced Rohingya refugees and urged them to keep up their efforts until their return to Myanmar with dignity and rights is secured.

He was in London for a 12-hour transit ahead of his visit to Canada via the United States.

This was his first visit to the UK after taking office as the State Minister for Foreign Affairs for second consecutive term.

During the brief stopover, he met some senior British parliamentarians, held meetings with his counterpart Mark Field and participated in a discussion meeting at the House of Commons on Bangladesh’s Independence and National Day, organised by the UK Awami League.

At those engagements, the Bangladesh mission said, the state minister expressed gratitude to the UK government and British and Bangladeshi-British people for their "unforgettable contribution" to the Bangladesh's War of Independence.

“UK continues to assume a special place in the foreign policy priority of the government of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina,” he said.