UN Secretary-General calls Prime Minister

Dhaka: UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and discussed the Rohingya crisis with her.

The UN Secretary-General telephoned the Prime Minister at around 9:30 pm on Saturday (October 21).

Prime Minister's Press Secretary Ihsanul Karim said Antonio Guterres spoke to the Prime Minister on the phone for about 20 minutes. They discussed the Rohingya crisis.

At this time, the Prime Minister requested the UN Secretary-General to pressure Myanmar from the UN to take the Rohingyas back from Bangladesh to their homeland and ensure their safe resettlement.

The Prime Minister sought the UN Secretary-General's cooperation in implementing the five proposals made at the 72nd session of the UN last month to resolve the Rohingya crisis.

The Prime Minister also thanked the UN Secretary-General for the call and requested his continued involvement and cooperation in the Rohingya crisis.

At the time, the Prime Minister mentioned Bangladesh's bilateral efforts with Myanmar to resolve the Rohingya crisis.

The Prime Minister told the UN Secretary-General that you are quite aware that the root of this problem lies in Myanmar and that its solution can also be found in Myanmar.

The Prime Minister said that the Bangladesh Foreign Minister will visit New York to inform the UN Secretary-General about the latest situation and reality of the Rohingya crisis.

He said, "I am sending the Bangladesh Home Minister to Myanmar to find a solution to the Rohingya crisis."

At the time, the UN Secretary-General expressed concern about the influx of millions of Rohingya into Bangladesh. He also praised the people and government of Bangladesh for sheltering and serving the Rohingya.

The Prime Minister urged the UN Secretary-General to play a role in bringing the UN Security Council and the world community to support the resolution of the Rohingya crisis.

The Prime Minister said that about 1 million Rohingyas, including 600,000 who arrived recently, have taken refuge in Bangladesh.

Sheikh Hasina said her government has sheltered these Rohingya refugees considering humanitarian aspects.

The Prime Minister informed the UN Secretary-General at that time that international and local NGOs, including the UN, should be given full access to work in the Cox's Bazar area.