Diplomatic Efforts to Bring Sheikh Hasina Back Continue: Standing Committee

The second meeting of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the 13th Jatiya Sangsad discussed several important issues, including giving the highest priority to national interests in the country’s foreign policy, controlling illegal migration and human trafficking, bringing ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina back to the country, and resolving the Rohingya crisis.

The government’s position on bringing Sheikh Hasina back to Bangladesh was presented at the meeting. It was stated that the Bangladesh government continues to take necessary diplomatic and legal initiatives to bring her back to the country. The meeting was held today at the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban under the chairmanship of committee chairman Joharat Adib Chowdhury.

The meeting emphasised maintaining a balanced foreign policy for Bangladesh. It was stated that Bangladesh will maintain partnerships with every country, but foreign policy and diplomatic decisions will be made by prioritising the country’s interests. The meeting also noted that the Prime Minister has emphasised the “Bangladesh First” policy.

A report on controlling illegal migration and human trafficking was presented at the meeting. The discussion highlighted serious systemic weaknesses in the process of sending workers abroad in the past. Problems that have persisted for a long time due to sending workers without proper verification and screening are now having to be addressed.

To overcome the situation, emphasis was placed on ensuring proper authentication of information and documents of migrant workers. At the same time, the committee recommended developing a transparent and effective process in coordination with the Ministry of Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment and the Ministry of Labour and Employment.

The meeting also stressed strengthening arrangements to send migrant workers abroad through suitable and verified recruiting agencies. It was also informed that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has launched a “Migration Wing” for the first time to ensure safe migration and protect the interests of migrant workers.
The meeting also emphasised increasing grassroots-level awareness to protect potential migrants from fraud by brokers and unauthorised intermediaries. To this end, recommendations were made to conduct social awareness campaigns and take necessary measures to inform people about legal migration procedures.
Meanwhile, the latest situation of the Rohingya crisis and progress in addressing the problems were also reviewed at the meeting. The committee expressed hope that it would visit the Rohingya camps in October to observe the actual situation of the crisis on the ground.

Committee members and State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam, Md Amanullah Aman, SK Azizul Bari, ABM Mosharraf Hossain and Sanjida Islam attended the meeting. State Minister for Foreign Affairs Humayun Kabir also attended the meeting at the special invitation of the committee.
The Foreign Secretary and other senior officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Jatiya Sangsad Secretariat were also present.