Int’l solidarity crucial to address human displacement issues

Sarwar Nipa and Mahmuda Akter read out excerpts from a novel titled 'Sonajhara Din', the Bengali version of 'A Golden Age' by Tahmima Anam, at a programme marking the World Refugee Day at the Liberation War Museum yesterday. UN Information Centre and the museum jointly organised the event. Photo: STAR

The United Nations (UN) Secretary General Ban Ki-moon yesterday made an urgent call to the international community to redouble their efforts to address both the causes and consequences of forced human displacement.

“Greater international solidarity is crucial if we are to share the burden of protection more equitably,” he said in his World Refugee Day message, adding that the number of refugees increased to more than 11 million worldwide last year.

In the written speech circulated at the discussion, jointly organised by Liberation War Museum and United Nations Information Centre (UNIC) in the city to mark the day, the UN secretary general said the goal must be to ensure that refugees will be freed to return their homes in safety and dignity.

“But, on the World Refugee Day, let us first reaffirm that all refugees have their rights to asylum, and let us do everything we can to give them the full protection they deserve.”

The UN secretary general said conflicts and poverty, the most common reasons that compel people to leave their homes, are now amplified by the effects of climate change, increasing scarcity of resources and food shortages — factors that may lead to greater insecurity in future.

“…the responsibility of providing asylum currently falls disproportionately on developing nations. Contrary to public perception in many industrialised nations, developing countries actually bear the burden of hosting a larger number of refugees, despite their limited resources.”

Speaking as the chief guest at the discussion, United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) Representative Pia Prytz Phiri said, “Thousands of people in Bangladesh are getting displaced due to poverty, limited arable land and river erosion.” We need to be conscious about their protection, she added.

Phiri said she was happy that the situation of around 27,500 Rohingya refugees in two camps in Cox's Bazar is now much better in terms of education, health, housing, water and sanitation, which was in precarious condition just two years ago.

She further said some developed countries like Canada, the UK and New Zealand have agreed for resettlement of some Rohingyas, but this scheme is limited.

Referring to reported criminal activities by the Rohingyas, the UNHCR representative said, “If some refugees are criminals, we are not going to protect them. Police should take actions as per laws.”

Liberation War Museum Trustee Mofidul Hoque said it is a day that reminds the history back in 1971 when around one crore Bangladeshis took shelter as refugees in India and that they were treated humanely.

“We express our gratitude to India. This day helps us to be humane,” he added.

Liberation War Museum Trustee architect Rabiul Hussain and UNIC official Kazi Ali Reza also spoke.