State Minister for Foreign Affairs Humaiun Kobir on Tuesday said the prolonged Rohingya crisis had gone beyond a humanitarian issue, with wider security and irregular migration implications.
He called for stronger international efforts to ensure the early and dignified return of the Rohingyas to Myanmar.
He made the remarks during a courtesy meeting at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs with a visiting delegation led by Apsana Begum MP, chair of the UK All-Party Parliamentary Group on Bangladesh.
The delegation also included Shockat Adam MP and Lord Qurban Hussain, a member of the House of Lords.
Kobir welcomed the delegation and appreciated the APPG’s continued interest in strengthening Bangladesh-UK relations.
He also highlighted the UK government’s support for Bangladesh’s democratic consolidation and reform initiatives.
Acknowledging the APPG’s role as a bridge between the UK Parliament, Bangladesh and the British-Bangladeshi community, Kobir sought its support for greater engagement with the UK Parliament to communicate Bangladesh’s progress and realities on the ground.
The APPG delegation, which is scheduled to visit the Rohingya camps on Wednesday, expressed support for addressing the plight of the Rohingya community.
The delegation also pledged to continue raising the issue in international forums, including the UK Parliament, to maintain humanitarian assistance and support the sustainable repatriation of the Rohingyas to their homeland, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The talks also focused on strengthening parliamentary cooperation and exchanges between Bangladesh and the United Kingdom.
The two sides discussed democratic consolidation, trade and investment, migration, skills mobilisation and human rights, alongside other issues of mutual interest.
They also exchanged views on regional and global developments and expressed interest in continuing cooperation through relevant bilateral and multilateral channels.
