Keep up pressure on Myanmar

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina yesterday stressed the need for keeping up pressure on Myanmar from different levels for resolving the Rohingya crisis.

The Rohingyas must be helped also, she said during a meeting with Australian Foreign Minister Julie Bishop at Intercontinental Sydney Hotel here.

Foreign Secretary Md Shahidul Haque briefed reporters after the meeting.

The Australian foreign minister said her country has always been for a solution to the Rohingya issue.

Hasina said Bangladesh signed an agreement with Myanmar and there had been exchange of official visits between the two countries. “But they are yet to take action to implement the agreement,” PM's Press Secretary Ihsanul Karim quoted her as saying.

Julie highly appreciated Bangladesh and the PM's stance on hosting about 1.1 million Rohingyas.

She praised the PM for her leadership role in women empowerment. “You [Hasina] are an inspirational leader in the world on women's emancipation and empowerment... you are also a courageous leader as you faced authoritative regime in the past,” the Australian minister said.

Hasina highlighted women's participation and empowerment policies taken by her government. She also focused on women's participation in the judiciary, law enforcement agencies, parliament and political system apart from the administration and defence forces.

Foreign Minister AH Mahmood Ali, Foreign Secretary Md Shahidul Haque, PMO Secretary Sajjadul Hassan, PM's Press Secretary Ihsanul Karin and Bangladesh High Commissioner to Australia Mohammad Sufiur Rahman were present at the meeting.

The PM arrived in Sydney yesterday morning on a three-day official visit to Australia to receive the Global Women's Leadership Award and hold a bilateral meeting with her Australian counterpart Malcom Turnbull.