19 June 2023

Acting Chairman of BNP, Mr. Tariq Rahman, gave the following message on the occasion of World Refugee Day:-

Message

"Today is World Refugee Day. The day, declared by the United Nations, is celebrated on June 20 each year. Since 2001, the day has been celebrated every year to raise awareness among international leaders about the plight of refugees worldwide. Today this day is celebrated with due dignity in different countries of the world, including Bangladesh. The problem of refugees in the countries of the world continues to be terrible and inhumane. The main reason for this is the insecurity of the socialized population due to ethnic violence, religious extremism, and political ideology. The Bangladesh Nationalist Party expresses its full solidarity with this day and its determination to continue supporting international initiatives to ensure the dignity and repatriation of forcibly displaced people around the world. Refugees displaced from their own countries seek refuge and relief from hunger in other countries as human beings are deprived of human rights. Even today, the tragic experience of the Bangladeshis in the Great War of Liberation has not faded from our memory.

Around a million Rohingyas are staying at Ukhia-Teknaf in Cox's Bazar, the world's largest refugee camp. They were persecuted, forced to leave their home country, and became refugees in Bangladesh. The people of Bangladesh are standing by the Rohingya refugees with their best efforts. This is a rare example of humanity. The government has no effective initiative to return them safely to their country of origin.

I call for the cooperation of the international community and various donor organizations to continue pressing the Myanmar authorities to repatriate them with proper dignity and livelihood. Today, on World Refugee Day, I express my full solidarity with all the world's refugees, including their right to return to their countries of origin."

(Advocate Ruhul Kabir Rizvi)

Senior Joint Secretary General

Bangladesh Nationalist Party – BNP.