Dhaka: State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam today urged the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) to strengthen its advocacy for the early repatriation of the Rohingyas to their homeland in Myanmar. She made the call during a meeting with ICRC Regional Director for Asia Pacific R©gis Savioz at her office at the foreign ministry here.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, during the meeting, Shama recalled the atrocities committed against the Rohingyas and their mass exodus from Rakhine State, noting that today marks the ninth anniversary of the tragic events. The State Minister appreciated the ICRC’s continued support for the Rohingyas and sought its sustained humanitarian engagement in addressing their plight.
Shama Obaed Islam urged the international humanitarian organisation to step up its advocacy towards facilitating an early return of the forcibly displaced Rohingyas to Myanmar. She also appreciated the ICRC’s longstanding humanitarian engagement in Bangladesh.
The State Minister briefed the ICRC regional director on the government’s people-centric and humanitarian approach to social protection, highlighting the potential impact of its Family Card and Farmer Card initiatives. She also drew attention to the growing incidence of digital harassment, particularly against women, and sought the ICRC’s cooperation in addressing emerging digital threats and their humanitarian consequences.
Furthermore, Shama proposed exploring the possibility of hosting an ICRC regional meeting on International Humanitarian Law (IHL) in Dhaka. Meanwhile, R©gis Savioz commended Bangladesh’s continued cooperation with the ICRC and acknowledged the country’s constructive contribution to the global IHL agenda, including its role as a co-chair of the ‘IHL and Peace’ Work stream.
Savioz expressed the ICRC’s willingness to expand cooperation with Bangladesh in IHL dissemination, capacity building, humanitarian response, and other areas of mutual interest.