On Tuesday, The Prime Minister of Bangladesh, Sheikh Hasina has announced a Four-point proposal dedicated to Rohingya crisis in an event organised by The Permanent Mission of Bangladesh to the UN in New York (UN Headquarter). She will present the proposal at the current 74th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA).
The proposals are:
- Myanmar must express clear political will manifested by concrete actions for sustainable return and reintegration of Rohingyas to Myanmar.
- Myanmar must build trust among the Rohingyas by discarding discriminatory laws and practices and allowing “go and see” visit to the Northern Rakhine by the Rohingya representatives.
- Myanmar must guarantee security and safety of the Rohingyas, among others, by deploying civilian monitors from the international community in the Rakhine state.
- The international community must ensure that the root causes of Rohingya problem are addressed and atrocity crimes committed against the Rohingyas are accounted for. OIC initiative to take the issue to ICJ is indeed a significant step towards that direction.
The Prime Minister said, “It’s regrettable that we are passing yet another year without any solution to the Rohingya crisis. The plight of the Rohingyas persecuted in the Northern Rakhine state of Myanmar is continuing unabated.” The PM also mentioned that the Rohingya crisis is a political one deeply rooted in Myanmar and the solution lies there.
“I reiterate, the root of the Rohingya problem lies in Myanmar and the solution has to be found in Myanmar,” she added.
Earlier just after the Rohingya crisis on 21st September 2017, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina proposed a 5 point proposal at 72nd UNGA session which includes recommendations of the Kofi Annan Commission. These 5 points were
• Myanmar must unconditionally stop the violence and the practice of ethnic cleansing in the Rakhine State immediately and forever.
• Secretary-General of the United Nations should immediately send a Fact-Finding Mission to Myanmar.
• All civilians irrespective of religion and ethnicity must be protected in Myanmar. “Safe zones” could be created inside Myanmar, under UN supervision, for this purpose.
• Ensure the sustainable return of all forcibly displaced Rohingyas in Bangladesh to their homes in Myanmar.
• The recommendations of the report by the Kofi Annan Commission must be immediately implemented unconditionally and in its entirety
During the event, Malaysian Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohammad, OIC Secretary-General Dr Yousef bin Ahmed Al-Othaimeen and Saudi Foreign Minister Dr Ibrahim bin Abdulaziz Al-Assaf also spoke at the event.
Ministers and representatives of different countries including the USA, the UK, Canada, Germany, Belgium, European Union, Sweden, Netherlands, Turkey, Sweden, Singapore, Kuwait, Serbia, the Philippines and Gambia were also present at the event.
