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UN's failure ignites Rohingya crisis: Momen

FE Report | June 21, 2019 00:00:00


Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen expressed concern over the 'discriminatory use' of the Geneva Convention in different parts of the world.

Had the United Nations taken proper steps in time, he said, the Rohingya crisis might not be unfolded.

The minister made the observations on Thursday while addressing a meeting jointly organised by Diplomatic Correspondents Association, Bangladesh (DCAB) and International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) to mark the 70th anniversary of the Geneva Convention.

"The Geneva Convention was signed with a view to protecting humanity from the onslaught of war. It was a welcome step but unfortunately those who formulated the convention are flouting it indiscriminately," he said.

Mr Momen also cited the examples of Palestine and Myanmar while backing his argument.

"We feel that these humanitarian laws should be complied in a non-discriminatory manner to ensure world peace and Bangladesh intends to take a leading role in this regard."

While talking to newsmen after the meeting, the minister agreed with a recent UN report that blamed the systemic failure of the UN system in averting abuses unleashed against the Rohingya community in Myanmar.

More than one million Rohingya took shelter in Bangladesh due to abuses against them in Myanmar, he said.

"For a long period, the Myanmar authorities ignited hatred against this community in the Myanmar society. Though the UN was aware of this issue, they had failed to intervene to stop such abuse," he noted.

But the UN was almost silent about the issue. They did a little in ensuring accountability in the case of Myanmar rather they were more vocal against Bangladesh, the foreign minister said in a sarcastic tone.

He also urged the world community to ensure accountability in the case of abuses against Rohingya by Myanmar.

Ikhtiyar Aslanov, the head of the delegation of ICRC, Bangladesh, DCAB president Raheed Ejaj and its secretary Nurul Islam Hasib also spoke on the occasion.

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