Reaffirming Bangladesh fully support to and cooperation with all UN human rights mechanisms, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has urged the international community to work for ensuring the fundamental rights of Rohingya people.

‘Bangladesh continues to urge the international community to work towards ensuring the fundamental human rights of the Rohingya population including their right to return to their homeland, self-identification, citizenship and other basic human rights required for them to lead a dignified life,’ she said on Saturday, reports the UNB.

The Prime Minister made the remark in a message on the occasion of International Human Rights Day that falls on December 10.

She also said, ‘As a state-party to all major human rights instruments and as a member of the UN Human Rights Council, Bangladesh has been actively contributing towards the promotion and protection of human rights for all.’ 

The Prime Minister said Bangladesh has provided shelter to over one million forcibly displaced Rohingya people who fled ethnic cleansing in their homeland Myanmar.

The Prime Minister, on behalf of the government and the people of Bangladesh, reiterated its staunch commitment to uphold all human rights and fundamental freedom of all people around the world as enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR).

Bangladesh achieved its liberation through a nine-month long war in 1971 to end oppression, discrimination and establish human rights for its people.

‘Therefore, the fundamentals of UDHR that ‘all human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights’ is deeply embedded in our genesis,’ she said.

The Prime Minister said the national constitution of Bangladesh guarantees human rights for all.

‘Guided by the constitutional obligation, our government has been relentlessly working to uphold human rights and ensure development of our citizens, especially women, children, elderly people, religious and ethnic minorities, persons with disabilities, migrant workers, and people living in extreme poverty.’

The Prime Minister said it is their conviction that human rights are at the core of any step towards resolving conflicts, building peace and sustaining it.

She said Bangladesh is a proud contributor to UN peacekeeping operations and Bangladeshi peacekeepers are deployed in many conflict-prone areas where they diligently work for the peace, security and human rights of the local people particularly through the protection of civilians.

These peacekeepers are addressing conflict-related sexual violence and violence against children; supporting democratic elections and institution building, and providing humanitarian assistance along with other multi-faceted roles, she said.