Government committed to ensuring religious freedom, Chief Advisor Yunus says

Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus has reaffirmed the interim government’s commitment to safeguarding religious freedom in Bangladesh.

During a meeting with Stephen Schneck, chair of the US Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) at the State Guest House Jamuna on Monday, he said: “The government is committed to upholding religious harmony in this country of 171 million people. We are determined to safeguard the religious freedom of every citizen.”

The Chief Adviser’s Office later said in a press release that the head of the government had invited journalists from around the world to visit Bangladesh and assess the situation firsthand following allegations of violence against minorities.

The statement quoted him as saying: “Any journalist can visit Bangladesh at any time. Many have already visited the country after the mass uprising.”

Yunus expressed concern over alleged “disinformation campaigns” under the guise of undermining minority rights and aimed at discrediting the July Uprising.

He highlighted massive efforts from external sources, including media from the South Asia region, to portray the uprising as an “Islamist extremist movement”.

The chief advisor noted that the government is striving hard to build religious harmony in the country, adding that violence targeting the minorities in the South Asia region and the genocide in Palestine have exacerbated tensions domestically.

Alongside religious freedom, the meeting focused on the government’s reform plans, constitutional amendments and the Rohingya crisis.

Schneck enquired about the activities of the reform commissions and the proposed constitutional amendments.

In response, Yunus said any constitutional changes would uphold religious freedom and minority rights and the discussion in this respect is underway with the political parties.

“Minorities will continue to enjoy the same rights as the majority Muslim population," he assured.

The chief advisor sought support from the USCIRF to highlight the plight of the Rohingya people and their prolonged persecution in Myanmar's Rakhine State.

He said the United Nations is scheduled to hold a special session on the Rohingya issue in September, following his request.

"We need to resolve the crisis. The sooner, the better, he said.

“A young generation, frustrated with anger, is growing up in the Rohingya camps. We must offer them a glimmer of hope.”