Bangladesh PM Hasina to global community: Ensure dignified repatriation of Rohingyas

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Wednesday renewed her call to the global community to ensure the dignified repatriation of Rohingyas as they are posing a big security threat to Bangladesh as well as the region. "We’ve sheltered them on humanitarian grounds but such a huge population can't be lodged for an indefinite period… I request the world community to assist us in dignified and peaceful repatriation of the Rohingyas," she said in her pre-recorded speech at the three-day “IX Moscow Conference on International Security.” She said Bangladesh has been hosting more than 1.1 million forcibly displaced Myanmar nationals for about four years. "They’re posing a huge security threat to Bangladesh as well as the region," she added. Hasina said it goes without saying that conflicts among states give rise to intrastate security problems. Besides, she mentioned, the concept of security now includes, in addition to military threats, the socio-economic and political needs of individuals, mass involuntary migration, environmental security and other non-traditional security threats. "Even, new challenges and issues of international security arise due to terrorism, extremism, separatism, weapons of mass destruction, cybercrimes, regional conflicts and ecological catastrophes," Hasina said. She also said Bangladesh maintains a zero-tolerance policy towards terrorism and extremism. The prime minister appreciated the recent ceasefire between Israel and Palestine saying that she hoped that peace and stability will prevail in the Middle East as well as other parts of the world. Regarding the Covid-19 pandemic, she said it is one of the most pressing global issues of the current time as it has not only taken its heavy toll on lives but also battered the economies and affected the livelihoods of millions of people across the world. She said the Bangladesh government has shown resilience in fighting the pandemic by ensuring available healthcare support for all and providing appropriate incentives to different sectors. She vowed to bring all citizens under the free Covid-19 vaccination program and the government is trying to get vaccines from all available sources to make that happen. "Our government is in touch with Russian for vaccines. I would like to mention that Bangladesh has the capacity to produce vaccines and even support the world community if we’re taken on board in the production chain," Hasina added. Terming climate change as a major issue, she said it needs proper attention from the global community. She mentioned that Bangladesh is one of the worst victims of climate change, although it does not have any contribution to the phenomenon. The prime minister hoped that the international community will play a proactive role in addressing adverse impacts of climate change through extending cooperation and exchanging knowledge and expertise. She said peace and security cannot be ensured unless all take appropriate measures to end human deprivation and ensure an environment that provides education and opportunities for all. Hasina urged the world community to ensure vaccination for all to fight off Covid-19, humanitarian assistance to the marginalised people, return of all the Rohingyas to Myanmar, stopping financing and arms supply to terrorists, and Increasing cooperation among military agencies to ensure global security.