Doha: Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus today urged Qatar to mount pressure on Myanmar for starting Rohingya repatriation and sought its proactive role in engaging the OIC countries to raise more funds for them.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, Professor Yunus addressed a high-level roundtable titled "Social and Environment Challenges Around Forcibly Displaced Populations-The Case of the Rohingya" on the second day of his Qatar tour. The meeting was held at Mandarin Oriental Hotel in Doha this morning.
In his speech, Prof Yunus emphasized Qatar's potential to express solidarity in resolving the Rohingya issue and encouraged its engagement with OIC countries to secure more funds and pressure the international community for repatriation advocacy. He recalled Qatar's support since the 2017 Rohingya crisis outbreak, noting its diplomatic positions and bold statements by the Emir of Qatar in international forums.
On September 19, 2017, at the 72nd United Nations General Assembly, Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani urged the Myanmar government and international community to address violence against the Rohingya minority, emphasizing protection, repatriation, and the prevention of discrimination.
Prof Yunus mentioned Qatar Charity's extensive humanitarian aid to over 234,313 Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh, including medical supplies, school essentials, and cooking gas cylinders. He highlighted Qatar Charity's 'Livelihood' agricultural project launched in Bhasan Char in June 2023 and the provision of LPG gas cylinders benefitting 23,000 refugees.
Qatar's role in providing more LPG facilities was encouraged by Prof Yunus. He referred to a meeting on December 9, 2024, between Bangladesh National Security Adviser Dr Khalilur Rahman and Qatar's Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Dr Mohammed bin Abdulaziz bin Saleh Al Khulaifi, where Qatar's cooperation in repatriation efforts was discussed. Dr Khulaifi reiterated Qatar's commitment to addressing the Rohingya plight.
Foreign Adviser Md Touhid Hossain, National Security Adviser Khalilur Rahman, and other officials participated in the meeting, alongside Qatar Foundation CEO Sheikha Hind bint Hamad Al Thani, who hosted the Earthna Summit.