Ban Ki-moon for political solution to Rohingya crisis

Former UN secretary general Ban Ki-moon has said a political solution is necessary for resolving the Rohingya crisis through ensuring safe and dignified repatriation of the forcibly displaced people to their homeland in Myanmar.

 “There should be a political solution,” he told newsmen after emerging from a meeting with Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen at a city hotel on Saturday, seeking Myanmar’s steps to end the Rohingya crisis.

First of all, the former UN secretary general said, the Myanmar government should have much more generous and compassionate supports for Rohingyas so that they can return to their home country freely and safely.

He highly commended Bangladesh role for providing shelter to over 1.1 million Rohingyas but said, “Bangladesh government cannot do it alone while I am asking support” from the UN agencies and other humanitarian organisations for Rohingyas.

Describing his experience of visiting Rohingya camps in Cox’s Bazar during his last tour in Bangladesh this year, the former UN chief said: “It’s very tragic situation …. It was hard to describe (the sufferings of Rohingyas). What I felt that was so sad”.

Ban Ki-moon highly lauded Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s strong commitment and role in dealing with all global challenges, including climate change, implementation of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), empowering women and youth.

Saying that Bangladesh is doing excellent in its adaptation endeavour against climate change, the former UN secretary general said he has been telling about Bangladesh’s successful story over climate adaptation across the globe.

Pointing Bangladesh as one of the most vulnerable countries to climate change, the former South Korean diplomat put emphasis on global solution to the adverse affects and its adaptation worldwide due to climate change.

Ban Ki-moon arrived in Dhaka on Friday night to attend the 13th convocation of BRAC University held at the Army Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

Ban said it’s his personal honour to speak to young students, the future leaders, to tell them how they can become global citizens by overcoming global challengers.

In last July, Ban Ki-moon attended the ‘Dhaka Meeting of the Global Commission on Adaptation’ held in the capital.

Former UN secretary general Ban Ki-moon talking with Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen during a meeting at a city hotel on Saturday. -PID Photo