Mike Pence A top US leader has expressed his government's stance over holding the persons who are responsible for unleashing "brutal atrocities" against the Rohingya accountable, the foreign ministry said on Friday.
US vice president Mike Pence said this while delivering the keynote address in the 2nd ministerial meeting on advancing religious freedom hosted by the US Department of State on Thursday.
Foreign Minister Dr. A.K Abdul Momen also spoke on the occasion.
Delegates from 106 countries with about 40 foreign ministers attended the meeting at the invitation of Mike Pompeo, US Secretary of State, the foreign ministry said in a statement.
Mike Pence, in his address, expressed concern over the violation of this "very basic right" of religious freedom of the Rohingya in Myanmar.
He reiterated that the US government would remain resolute to resolve the Rohingya issue while also holding the perpetrators in Myanmar accountable for committing the crimes against the stateless people, whom the United Nations called "most-persecuted on earth."
In his opening speech, secretary Pompeo reinforced that ensuring religious freedom for all remains the top foreign policy priority of the USA.
Foreign minister Momen, in his speech, highlighted the commitment of the government to ensure basic rights of its people.
Foreign minister thanked the US government and the international community to extend support as Bangladesh hosts 1.1 million Rohingya in Bangladesh.
Bangladesh being a land of humanity has shown generosity at the cost of its own, he said, calling upon the international community to ratchet up pressure on Myanmar to take back these people.
He said Bangladesh has been relentlessly working to maintain the religious rights of all sects of people.
Under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Bangladesh has upheld religious pluralism and rights of minorities, he added
He elaborated how the present government maintained a 'zero tolerance' approach to any form of violence and discrimination against religious minorities, and successfully prevented rise of extremist elements in Bangladesh.
"This has resulted in the unprecedented socio-economic growth of its economy," he said. "Besides, non-communalism and peaceful coexistence, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina promotes a national slogan 'Religion unto individual, festivals unto all', to promote religious tolerance and create a sense of accommodation among religious sects," he added.
Dr. Momen noted that at times a section of international media is disseminating hatred and violence against selected religious groups.
He called for the media to play a constructive and responsible role in promoting religious freedom, thereby supporting peace and stability.
In order to have sustainable peace and stability across nations, he called for creating a mindset of tolerance, a mindset of respect for others irrespective of religion, ethnicity, colour and background.
He said to create such a mindset, everyone including religious, social, community, academia, and media leaders must work together in collaboration and partnership.
He proposed hosting a similar ministerial at the regional level in Bangladesh soon.
On the sidelines of this conference, in addition to the foreign minister of Hungary, Mr Momen met the foreign ministers of Iraq, Bahrain, and Malta.
He discussed with his counterpart of Hungary on enhancing the mutual bilateral relation through extended cooperation. Foreign Minister Momen offered him to share expertise in agriculture and water resources.
He requested the investors of the east-European nation to invest in harnessing maritime resources in the Bay of Bengal.
He also asked his Hungarian counterpart to take skilled and semi-skilled workforce from Bangladesh.
He invited his counterpart to visit Bangladesh with a business delegation. The Hungarian minister showed interest to visit Bangladesh.
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