UN can provide all possible assistance to Bangladesh

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The United Nations (UN), if requested for, would provide all possible assistance to Bangladesh in conducting the war crimes trial, reports UNB.
UN Resident Coordinator and UNDP Resident Representative to Bangladesh Renata Lok-Dessallien said this when she made a farewell call on Foreign Minister Dipu Moni at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Sunday, said a foreign ministry press release.
They also discussed issues related to strengthening of relevant institutions that were critical for upholding the values of democracy and accountability.
The foreign minister said that the people of Bangladesh had proved, time and again, that they would not accept anything less than democratic governance in the country.
They agreed that certain institutions, including the judiciary, the Anti-corruption Commission, the National Human Rights Commission, and the police, should be further strengthened in order to ensure continuity in good governance and democratic culture in the country.
Dr Dipu Moni, however, expressed concern at the gradual erosion in the core funding of UNDP at the global level.
She also regretted non-fulfilment of ODA commitment by most of the development partners.
Referring to the recently held Bangladesh Development Forum (BDF) in Dhaka, the foreign minister called upon the UNDP and other development partners to come forward with necessary investment to implement the agreed recommendations.
She also expressed happiness at the change of format of BDF from a donor-driven process to a forum of partnership between Bangladesh and its development partners.
While talking about UNDP activities in Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT), Ms Renata reaffirmed that the development projects in the hill districts were taken in consultation with the appropriate government authorities.
She also clarified that all development programmes in CHT were targeted for all marginalized tribal people and Bangalees.
Dr Dipu Moni appreciated the UNDP work in all parts of the country, including the CHT.
She, however, reiterated the government's position that Bangladesh did not have any indigenous population, as was meant in UN jargon.
Bangladesh rather had several ethnic minorities and tribal population living in all parts of the country, in harmony with the Bangalee population, she added.