ZCZC
BSS-06
ANISUL-MEETING-GENEVA-ZEID-LEAD (with picture)
Anisul apprises UN rights official of Rohingya issue, drug problem
DHAKA, June 2, 2018 (BSS) – Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Minister
Anisul Huq called on UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid Ra’ad Al
Hussein in Geneva yesterday, discussing ways and means to further ensure
promotion and protection of human rights in Bangladesh and beyond.
The meeting was part of the Bangladesh government’s ongoing cooperation and
“respectful discourse” with the UN Human Rights mechanism, an official
release said here today.
During the meeting, the High Commissioner stated that Bangladesh’s ongoing
generosity towards displaced Rohingyas is indeed exemplary to many other
countries including those from the West.
He further appreciated Bangladesh’s proactive and responsive engagement
with the UN Human Rights mechanism.
The minister apprised the High Commissioner of the difficulties being faced
by Bangladesh due to arrival of the forcibly displaced Rohingyas, with
special emphasis on the recent significant rise of problems related to drug
trafficking and use.
He informed that this has compelled the government to take the initiative
to conduct the ongoing nationwide anti-drug operations, as the youths of the
country are being hugely and adversely affected by the drug menace.
Huq mentioned that, while the government is in the process of addressing
the issue through correctional measures and of enacting relevant laws and
rules, the emergence of armed drug syndicates during the Rohingya influx has
forced government to take stern actions.
“This has resulted in many arrests, and unfortunately, some deaths mainly
due to the armed resistance by the drug dealers,” he said.
Minister Huq assured the High Commissioner that the government would
investigate any allegation of excessive use of force by the law enforcement
agencies and would, if proved, bring the perpetrators to justice. He also
assured that the ongoing operations are temporary measures to curb the drug
problem, and the government looks forward to end these as soon as the
situation comes under control.
The High Commissioner underscored that the drug problem is emerging as a
global phenomenon and the governments need to address its demand and
production aspects, especially through correctional measures and not just by
using force.
Meanwhile, Law Minister Anisul Huq yesterday called on International
Labour Organization (ILO) Director General Guy Ryder in Geneva.
The minister narrated different steps taken by the present government for
establishing rights of the laborers in Bangladesh and thanked the ILO DG for
removing the country’s name from the hearing list of the UN labour agency.
Law minister is visiting Geneva as the leader of Bangladesh delegation to
the ongoing 107th International Labour Conference.
BSS/PR-MHR/GA/1650 Hrs