'The gravest ethno-religious cleansing of recent times'

Dhaka has urged the international community to continue pressure on Myanmar for the safe repatriation of the Rohingyas and hold accountable the perpetrators of brutal atrocities in Rakhine state.

“The influx of the Rohingyas from Myanmar is one of the gravest ethno-religious cleansing of recent times. The perpetrators of these heinous crimes must be held accountable,” said Foreign Minister AH Mahmood Ali.

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Addressing a conference on “Ministerial to Advance Religious Freedom” in Washington DC on Thursday, Ali said the unprecedented role played by Bangladesh in sheltering and supporting 1.1 million forcibly displaced Myanmar nationals reflects the truly Samaritan and inclusive nature of Bangladesh.

The foreign minister emphasised that the international community should continue sustained pressure on Myanmar to ensure safe, sustainable and dignified return of the refugees to a religiously-tolerant and ethnically-inclusive Myanmar.

Organised by the US Department of State, Foreign Minister Ali took part in the first-ever ministerial conference at the invitation of the US secretary of state. As many as 80 delegations, mostly led by ministers, attended the conference.

The foreign minister highlighted some actions that reflect the commitment to maintaining the legacy of a democratic, secular, open, inclusive and pluralistic social fabric in Bangladesh.

He said the right to freedom of religion, thought and conscience has been unconditionally guaranteed by the Constitution of Bangladesh, said a press release of embassy in Washington DC yesterday.

At the opening session held at the Loy Henderson Auditorium, the US secretary of state delivered the address of welcome, while Vice President Mike Pence in his inaugural speech mentioned that the USA is a nation of faith and religious freedom is a top priority of its foreign policy.

US Ambassador-at-Large for International Religious Freedom Samuel D Brownback, who chaired the opening session, praised Bangladesh for hosting such a huge number of Rohingyas.

Around 350 political, civil, and religious leaders from 80 countries gathered in Washington on July 24-26 and listened to personal stories of Christians, Buddhists, Muslims, Jews and others targeted for religious beliefs.

Foreign Minister Ali, in his remarks, commended the US government for organising the conference.

“We feel that such a conference should also be held at regional level. Bangladesh would be ready to host such a regional ministerial conference in Dhaka at a suitable time,” he said.

He mentioned that the UN Human Rights Council Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Religion and Belief noted in his report in 2015 that “religious pluralism is deeply rooted in Bangladesh and the principle of secularism as laid down in the Constitution provides for a framework which accommodates religious and belief-related pluralism for everyone without discrimination”.

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo thanked the foreign minister for attending the meeting during a lunch hosted by him. Ali also thanked the US secretary of state for inviting him to the conference.

During a reception held in honour of the delegates attending the conference, US Ambassador to the UN Nikki Haley thanked Bangladesh for generous humanitarian responses to the Rohingya crisis.

She also thanked Bangladesh for opening its arms and allowing international organisations to support the Rohingyas.