Africa-Press – Gambia. oreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen has said there is a “gentleman’s agreement” under UN norms that will allow Inspector General of Police Benazir Ahmed to attend the UN Chiefs of Police Summit in New York.
The foreign secretary said this replying to a query whether there would be any problem as the IGP, who is one of the seven police officials sanctioned by the US in December last year, is set to attend the third UN Chiefs of Police Summit at the UN headquarters in New York on August 31-September 1.But in my experience, there have been a few instances where we have seen exceptions to this rule. It is difficult to predict until it happens,” he added while talking to reporters after a meeting with US Assistant Secretary of State for International Organization Affairs Michele J Sison, at the Foreign Service Academy today (August 8, 2022).
“Let’s see…if there is no problem, we are hoping that he can attend the event. If there is any problem, we will try to learn it beforehand,” Masud Bin Momen said.When asked if there is any risk that US immigration may turn away Benazir, Masud said they have not spoken about it yet.
“We may inquire about it, but as a government order has been issued, it means he has plans to go,” he said.
The United States has agreed to provide assistance for the Rohingyas in Bhasan Char, said Masud Bin Momen, in a development that can help mitigate the funding challenges for those sheltered on the island.Bangladesh and the United Nations signed an MoU in October last year through which UN and international aid agencies started providing humanitarian assistance to the about 20,000 Rohingyas in Bhasan Char that had earlier faced criticism.
“They [US] will extend their hand in Bhasan Char. This is a new thing. We thanked them,” he said.
This development comes when funding for the Rohingyas is declining. More than $881 million is required this year to support approximately 1.4 million people, including 920,000 Rohingyas in Cox’s Bazar and Bhasan Char, according to the UN. But only 13% of the joint response plan has been funded so far.
The foreign secretary said Dhaka updated the status of the nearly one million Rohingyas sheltered in the camps in Cox’s Bazar and Bhasan Char and the various funding and other challenges Bangladesh has been facing for their prolonged stay.
Dhaka also sought US assistance for the Gambia’s Rohingya genocide case against Myanmar, while also thanking the Biden Administration for determining the atrocities against the Rohingyas as genocide early this year, he said.
During the meeting with Michele J Sison, Masud Bin Momen also spoke about the possibility of third-country resettlement of the Rohingyas.
However, repatriating them to Myanmar is the best solution for them.
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