Commonwealth Assistant Secretary-General Prof Luis Gabriel Franceschi has underscored the Commonwealth’s commitment to working with the interim government to build a “discrimination-free, inclusive, and prosperous” Bangladesh.
A high-level Commonwealth delegation, led by Franceschi, called on Foreign Adviser Md Touhid Hossain at the latter’s office at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Sunday, reports UNB.
The ASG is in Dhaka on a four-day official visit and is scheduled to meet different dignitaries of the interim government.
Prof Franceschi appreciated the efforts of the current government of Bangladesh towards democratic reform and assured the Commonwealth’s support in every possible way towards ongoing government reform initiatives, including reform for the electoral process.
During the meeting, Foreign Adviser Hossain sought the international community’s support for the Rohingyas.
He emphasized that Bangladesh cannot solve this problem on its own and said that the only solution to this crisis lies in the safe and sustainable return of the Rohingyas to their homeland in Myanmar with respect and rights.
The ASG reiterated the Commonwealth’s strong support to resolve the Rohingya crisis and stressed the importance of continued humanitarian assistance to the Rohingyas.
During the meeting, the foreign adviser highlighted the background of the historic student-led mass movement that dismantled and ultimately thwarted the autocratic regime and paved the way to reinstate the democratic process in Bangladesh.
He also briefed the delegation on the reform initiatives undertaken by the interim government to ensure a smooth and inclusive democratic transition and not return to the same situation again.
The foreign adviser emphasised that the interim government of Bangladesh reflects the aspirations of the people, particularly the nation’s youth and sought support from the Commonwealth for the reform initiatives of the interim government.
The ASG also called on Social Welfare Adviser Sharmin Murshid.
She stressed that the interim government is much stronger than any previous government as it has the overwhelming support of the mass people.
She briefed the delegation about the plan for the injured mass and sought support from the Commonwealth for counselling, re-teaching and therapies.
Bd-pratidin English/ Fariha Nowshin Chinika
