Staff Reporter:
Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus on Monday said that the interim government has been tasked with carrying out “deep reforms” and general election would be held after a “reasonable” time.
Prof Yunus also called for a “combined” effort and “a common platform” among the donors for flood response in Bangladesh.
The Chief Adviser made the remarks during a meeting with US Embassy Charge d’Affaires (Cd’A) Hel-en LaFave, when the latter paid a courtesy call on Prof Yunus at the State Guest House Jamuna in Dha-ka.
LaFave told the Chief Adviser that the US would support the interim government of Bangladesh and strengthen ties with Dhaka on a range of issues. She said the US would work closely with Bangladesh on health, education, labour, governance, and the Rohingya issues.
She said the US government was happy to congratulate the Chief Adviser and was looking forward to working together.
She said the US embassy in Dhaka will this week resume its consular service in an effort to expedite visa processing. Thousands of Bangladeshi students now study in US universities, the Chief Adviser’s press wing quoted her as saying.
LaFave said Washington has started resettling some Rohingyas in the US, and hoped the process would be expedited.
The US is the largest contributor to the Rohingya humanitarian responses, and the US charge d’affaires said the amount of monthly food aid for the Rohingyas has been increased this year after more US fund-ing has been allocated. She also called for livelihood opportunities for the Rohingyas.
Chief Adviser Prof Yunus thanked the US for supporting Bangladesh, including its continued funding for more than one million Rohingyas who live in the camps in Cox’s Bazar.
The US diplomat also raised some concerns over labour and minority issues.
The Chief Adviser said every citizen in the country is “protected by the constitution” and the interim government is committed to upholding the human rights of all citizens. Human rights issues, the cyber security laws, and the Rapid Action Battalion also came up during the talks.
The US Charge d’Affaires said her government was also trying to help Bangladesh set up a prosecutorial service in an effort to ensure fair trials in the country.
