Dhaka seeks int'l support to solve Rohingya crisis

By Daily Star

April 10, 2014

Bangladesh has sought cooperation of the international community for the implementation of its National Strategy to address the issue of undocumented Myanmar nationals here.

Foreign Secretary M Shahidul Haque, now in Geneva, conveyed the request while briefing the international community on the Bangladesh National Strategy to address the issue of undocumented Myanmar nationals.

The Foreign Secretary is currently visiting Geneva to attend the 20th session of the Committee on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of their Families (CMW) in his capacity as an independent expert of the committee, said a Foreign Ministry media release Thursday.

He held bilateral meetings with Director General (DG) of International Labour Organization (ILO) Guy Ryder, DG of International Organization for Migration (IOM) Ambassador William Lacy Swing, DG of World Health Organization (WHO) Dr Margaret Chan and Special Rapporteur on the human rights of migrants Francoise Crepeau.

The Foreign Secretary also spoke at a preparatory meeting on the Global Expert Meeting on Migration in Post-2015 Development Agenda to be held in Dhaka on 28-29 April 2014, co-hosted by Bangladesh and Switzerland.

The committee on the Protection of the Rights of All migrant Workers and Members of their Families (CMW) is a UN Treaty Body of independent experts that monitors implementation of the 1990 International Convention on the protection of Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of Their Families.

Shahidul Haque was elected as member to the Committee last year with second highest number of votes.

During the committee meeting, he participated in the review of periodic report of the Philippines, Uruguay, Mali and El-Salvador. The committee also deliberated on the status of the rights of migrants workers in the context of the convention.

During the Foreign Secretary’s meeting with Guy Ryder, they discussed several issues pertaining to the interest of Bangladesh.

Shahidul Haque highlighted Bangladesh’s progress after Rana Plaza incident and other possible areas of cooperation between Bangladesh and ILO.

The ILO DG commended the progress made in terms of education and legislation in Bangladesh in the RMG sector and assured all possible support to Bangladesh in its efforts to ensure safety, security and rights of labor in Bangladesh.

The Foreign Secretary is scheduled to return to Dhaka tomorrow (Friday).

Living conditions are cramped and shelters need to be constantly repaired. There is no room for livestock or gardens, making interventions aimed at improving people's food security extremely challenging. AAH uk photo