Chair of the US Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) Stephen Schneck met with Bangladesh’s Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus at State Guest House Jamuna in Dhaka on Monday.
According to a statement issued by the CA’s Press Wing, their discussions encompassed the state of religious freedom in Bangladesh, the July 2024 uprising, the interim government’s reform agenda, proposed constitutional amendments, and the ongoing Rohingya crisis.
Chief Adviser Professor Yunus underscored the significant role of religion in Bangladesh and reaffirmed the government’s dedication to ensuring religious harmony in the country of 171 million people.
“We are committed to safeguarding the religious freedom of every citizen of the country,” the Chief Adviser said.
Addressing allegations of violence against minorities, Yunus emphasised the interim government’s commitment to transparency by inviting journalists worldwide to visit Bangladesh and assess the situation firsthand.
“Any journalist can visit Bangladesh anytime. Many have visited the country since the uprising,” he said.
Professor Yunus expressed concern over orchestrated disinformation campaigns aimed at discrediting the July uprising and undermining minority rights in the subsequent months.
He highlighted massive efforts from external sources, including media from the South Asia region, to portray the uprising as an Islamist extremist movement.
“We are striving hard to build religious harmony in the country,” he noted, adding that violence targeting the minorities in the South Asia region and the genocide in Palestine have exacerbated tensions domestically.
Schneck enquired about the activities of the reform commissions and the proposed constitutional changes following the uprising.
Yunus stated that any constitutional amendments would uphold religious freedom and minority rights in Bangladesh.
“The consensus-building commission is holding dialogue with political parties over the proposed amendments. Minorities will continue to enjoy the same rights as the majority Muslim population,” he assured.
Professor Yunus sought support from the USCIRF to highlight the plight of the Rohingya people and their prolonged persecution in Myanmar’s Rakhine State.
He mentioned that the United Nations is scheduled to hold a special session on the Rohingya issue in September, following his request.
“We need to resolve the crisis. The sooner, the better. An angry young generation is growing up in the Rohingya camps. We need to provide them hope,” Yunus emphasised.