Dhaka: Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed has made a compelling appeal for increased international support for the Rohingya refugees. ‘Bangladesh alone cannot shoulder the burden of hosting the large displaced population without sustained global assistance,’ he asserted during a meeting with Australian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Susan Ryle at the Secretariat office this afternoon.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the Home Ministry’s press release emphasized Ahmed’s call for heightened funding and coordinated international efforts to improve the rehabilitation and living conditions of the Rohingya community. Ahmed outlined recent government actions, including the inaugural meeting of the national committee on Rohingya camp security held on May 4. He noted the active role of law enforcement agencies in addressing crime and drug trafficking within the camps.
During the discussions, Bangladesh and Australia explored a broad spectrum of mutual interests such as law and order, irregular migration, policing capacity building, and mutual legal assistance (MLA). The Australian High Commissioner reaffirmed her nation’s ongoing commitment to providing humanitarian aid to the Rohingya and emphasized the necessity of sustained international involvement.
On the topic of migration, Ryle mentioned a joint working group between Bangladesh and Australia that is tackling irregular migration and highlighted Australia’s initiatives to promote awareness about legal migration pathways. The minister expressed appreciation for these efforts and conveyed Bangladesh’s interest in broadening regular migration opportunities through skilled workforce deployment.
The meeting also covered the strengthening of bilateral relations, police training cooperation, and forthcoming engagements, including a scheduled visit by the Australian cricket team to Bangladesh. Present at the meeting were Home Ministry Additional Secretary (Add Charge: Political Wing) Dr. Ziauddin Ahmed, Joint Secretary (Political-1) Rebeka Khan, Deputy Secretary (Political-1) Begum Minara Nazmin, Counsellor on Home Affairs at Australian High Commission Reuben Gray, and First Secretary (Political) Harry Thompson, among others.