CHATTOGRAM, March 28, 2019 (BSS) – Under Secretary-General and United Nations Special Adviser on the Prevention of Genocide Adama Dieng today urged religious leaders to play a strong role in fostering peace in Cox’s Bazar where Rohingya camps are located.
“Religious actors can play a very important role in fostering peace by
sharing messages of peace and tolerance as well as promoting dialogue between
the Rohingyas and host communities,” he said while addressing a meeting here.
The meeting titled, ‘Fostering Peaceful and Inclusive Society and the Role
of Religious Leaders and Actors’ was held
The meeting was jointly organised by the United Nations Office on Genocide
Prevention and the Responsibility to Protect and the United Nations
Development Programme (UNDP), in partnership with the Save and Serve
Foundation, a UNDP press release said.
Adama Dieng said the Bangladesh government and its people demonstrated
kind generosity towards the Rohingya people by providing support since they
arrived in Bangladesh.
He urged religious actors to work together with the government of
Bangladesh to implement the “Plan of Action for Religious Leaders and Actors
to Prevent Incitement to Violence that Could Lead to Atrocity Crimes”
developed by the United Nations Office.
Stressing the importance of taking immediate steps for safe and voluntary
return of Rohingyas to Myanmar, the UN Under Secretary-General said it is
also important that Rohingyas can get access to livelihoods and formal
education so that they can be more productive while in Bangladesh but
particularly, when they return to Myanmar.
“I hope the religious leaders and actors, as well as policy makers and
civil society representatives present here today will continue to extend
their support to the Rohingya community until their return, so that no one is
left behind in Bangladesh,” he said.
Addressing as the chief guest, State Minister for Religious Affairs Alhaj
Advocate Sheikh Md Abdullah reaffirmed Bangladesh’s commitment to promote
secularism and inclusive development by ensuring rights and equal
opportunities for all religions.
“The government of Bangladesh always promotes a culture which respects
freedom of religion and belief,” he said. The state minister highlighted the
continuous effort of the government to keep peace, security and stability in
Cox’s Bazar after the Rohingya influx and urged the international community
to take immediate steps towards the repatriation of the Rohingya refugees.
Syed Nazibul Bashar Maizvandary, MP, superintendent of police of
Chattogram Md Shahidullah, Robert Stoelman of UNDP, chairman of Save & Serve
Foundation Syed Tayabul Bashar and ADC (Education) of Chattogram Abu Hasan
Siddique also spoke at the meeting.
Earlier, UNHCR deputy representative Papa Kysma Sylla made a presentation
on the impact of the Rohingya influx in Bangladesh.
The speakers acknowledged the plight of the Rohingya refugees and
highlighted the importance of ensuring their return to Myanmar in dignity and
safety.
They urged national and international organisations to help host
communities in Bangladesh to overcome the challenges caused by the influx of
such a high number of people in the region and to contribute to the peaceful
coexistence of all religious groups in Chattogram.