BSS-56 UK urged to increase pressure on Myanmar for Rohingya repatriation

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ZCZC

BSS-56

BANGLADESH-UK-ROHINGYA

UK urged to increase pressure on Myanmar for Rohingya repatriation

DHAKA, June 24, 2020 (BSS) – Dhaka today urged the United Kingdom
(UK) to increase pressure on Myanmar for resolving Rohingya crisis
through repatriating their forcibly displaced nationals urgently to
Rakhine in a sustainable manner.

Foreign Minister Dr AK Abul Momen made the urge during a video
conference with UK’s DFID Secretary of State Anne-Marie Trevelyan, a
foreign ministry press release said here.

Pointing that Myanmar did not do anything till date for Rohingya
repatriation, Momen insisted that until international community exerts
more pressure on Naypyidaw, including by imposing trade and investment
moratorium, the Rohingya crisis will not be resolved.

While thanking DFID as a longstanding development partner of
Bangladesh, the foreign minister pointed out that transparency,
accountability and aid effectiveness regarding disbursement of aid are
crucial.

He requested the UK to keep Bangladesh government informed about
different development programmes, modes of distribution and modalities
of development activities carried out by the DFID in Bangladesh.

The DFID Secretary assured the foreign minister of following
transparent mechanism in this regard.

Momen also raised the issue of RMG export to UK being severely
affected during the coronavirus crisis and informed that so far close
to 300 million dollars’ worth of confirmed orders have been cancelled
by the British brands or retailers.

He sought the UK government’s support in resolving the issue of
defaulting on confirmed orders by UK companies. A COVID19 recovery
fund could be created to address this particular issue, Momen
suggested.

The two ministers also discussed the issue of climate change, and
committed to work together for addressing the global challenge.

Momen informed about the Climate Vulnerable Forum (CVF), where
Bangladesh is the Chair now, and suggested that UK could help
Bangladesh to strengthen the Forum.

He also briefed DFID secretary about economic and social impact of
COVID-19 in Bangladesh while a significant number of Bangladeshi
migrant workers lost their job abroad, particularly in the Middle
East.

He requested the support of the UK in overcoming this difficult situation.

Momen also expressed his sympathy over the severity of coronavirus
in the UK and briefed Trevelyan on the steps taken by Bangladesh to
contain the virus.

Terming the UK as a major investor in Bangladesh, Momen suggested
that potential British companies could further diversify its
investment here.

BSS/PR/TA/MRU/2207hrs