Ref: Statement/Bangladesh/Politics/01 March 15, 2025
The South Asia Initiative welcomes the visit of UN Secretary-General António Guterres to Bangladesh and expresses sincere gratitude for his presence. The organization believes that this visit holds particular significance following the publication of the UN Human Rights Commission’s investigative report on crimes committed by the ousted Awami League government, led by Sheikh Hasina during the July uprising in Bangladesh.
Besides, the ongoing genocide of the Rohingya Muslim community and their forced displacement have created a severe humanitarian crisis with far-reaching impacts on Bangladesh. Addressing this crisis immediately is essential to mitigating regional instability and security risks. In this context, the South Asia Initiative warmly welcomes the UN Secretary-General’s visit to the Rohingya refugee camps in Cox’s Bazar on the second day of his trip.
South Asia Initiative believes that the optimistic message delivered by the Secretary-General during his visit to the Rohingya camp will open new doors of hope for both Bangladesh and the Rohingya refugees. The South Asia Initiative also expects that the Secretary-General will effectively convey the humanitarian crisis faced by the Rohingya community and their yearning to return to their homeland to global leaders and international organizations, urging them to take meaningful actions to resolve this crisis.
The South Asia Initiative also extends heartfelt gratitude to the Honorable Chief Advisor of Bangladesh’s interim government, Nobel Laureate Professor Dr. Muhammad Yunus, for his sincere efforts and astute leadership in addressing the Rohingya crisis and other domestic and regional challenges.
The organization believes that if this momentum is sustained and pertinent stakeholders respond sincerely to resolve the issues, it will be possible to ensure justice for the genocide committed during and before the July uprising in Bangladesh and to achieve a sustainable resolution to the Rohingya crisis.
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Dr. Md. Farid Hossain Talukder Chairman South Asia Initiative Assistant Professor McNeese State University, USA |
Mohammad Fakhrul Islam South Asia Initiative Adjunct Faculty and PhD Candidate Hungarian University of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Hungary |