Dhaka seeks Biden administration's leading role in resolving Rohingya crisis

Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen has urged the new US administration to play a leading role, both bilaterally and multilaterally, in bringing about a durable solution to the Rohingya crisis.

He made the request during his interaction with the US Think Tank 'Newlines Institute on Strategy and Policy' on Friday.

Momen is currently visiting Washington DC to reach out to the new US administration to further enhance the bilateral relations and convey Bangladesh's willingness to work closely with the Biden administration.

Director of the Institute Dr Azeem Ibrahim moderated the event.

During the discussion, Dr Momen reiterated that the only durable solution is the repatriation of the persecuted 1.1 million Rohingyas temporarily sheltered in Bangladesh.

Among others, dignitaries, including former US Ambassador to the United Nations, Commissioner from the US Congress on Religious Freedom, and prominent journalists, members of Congress, State Department officials, UN personnel, and senior leadership of the OIC attended the event, both physically and online.

The event was live-streamed on YouTube.

During the question-answer session with the audience, Dr Momen briefed on how the Bangladesh government is working for the welfare of Rohingyas during the Covid-19 pandemic, as a result of which there was not a single case of death due to the Covid-19 in Rohingya camps.

He also explained the context and rationale of relocating some of the Rohingya population from the overcrowded Kutupalong camps to Bhasan Char.

Dr Momen hoped that the Biden administration would put more political and economic sanctions on Myanmar to create a conducive environment for safe and dignified return of the Rohingyas to their homeland Myanmar.

He noted that the Bangladesh government looks forward to the US government's concrete steps and leading role, including his proposal to appoint a Special Envoy on Rohingya, in achieving a sustainable solution of the crisis, and hoped to work closely with the US administration in this regard.

Later, the Foreign Minister attended a virtual event entitled "Bangladesh-US bilateral relations and Rohingya issue", organised by the prestigious Council on Foreign Relations (CFR).

The session was moderated by Ambassador Isobel Coleman.

At the session, Dr Momen highlighted the socio-economic development of Bangladesh, tackling of the Covid-19 pandemic and efficient management of the ongoing vaccination programme in Bangladesh under the judicious direction of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

On the same day, the Bangladesh Foreign Minister virtually met US Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky from Illinois, who appreciated Bangladesh for sheltering a huge number of Rohingyas.

Dr Momen thanked the US government for its humanitarian and political support to Bangladesh to cope with the Rohingya exodus.

He also requested for US lawmaker's support to influence the US government for taking more effective measures like imposing economic sanction and withdrawing GSP facilities of Myanmar.