Dhaka: ASEAN Parliamentarians for Human Rights (APHR), a coalition of former and current lawmakers from Southeast Asia, has proposed an international conference to address the ongoing Rohingya crisis. The conference aims to involve Bangladesh, China, and ASEAN countries in collaborative efforts to find a resolution.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the proposal was made during a meeting between an APHR delegation and Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus at the State Guest House Jamuna. Charles Santiago, a former Malaysian lawmaker and Co-Chairperson of APHR, emphasized the urgent need for an ASEAN-led initiative to raise funds for the Rohingyas and called for a high-level political summit involving ASEAN, Bangladesh, and China to address the crisis.
Chief Adviser Yunus reiterated the importance of Bangladesh becoming a member of ASEAN to effectively address the issue within the regional framework. He expressed Bangladesh’s interest in becoming a sectoral dialogue partner of ASEAN, which would allow the country to actively participate in discussions and solutions regarding the Rohingya crisis. Professor Yunus also encouraged APHR to form an ASEAN parliamentary group with Bangladesh included as an invitee, underscoring the significance of a dedicated platform to highlight the issue globally.
Charles Santiago acknowledged the previous efforts by ASEAN parliamentarians, who visited Rohingya camps in 2018, to raise awareness about the crisis. However, he admitted that recent efforts had slowed due to the focus on restoring democracy in Myanmar. Other notable attendees at the meeting included Wong Chen, a Malaysian lawmaker, Raoul Manuel, a former Philippine congressman, and Chonlathan Supphaiboonlerd, the Program Director of APHR.