Diplomacy in 2018: Dhaka’s lively presence on the global stage

Hossen Sohel of DOT
Bangladesh has maintained its strong presence in international forums with much of its diplomacy successfully remaining focused on the Rohingya issue, in the outgoing year, 2018; compelling the international community to stay engaged with Bangladesh and mount pressure on Myanmar, reports UNB.
Bangladesh has successfully kept the Rohingya issue “alive” via its “prudent diplomacy” throughout the year, though many thought that it would be a “forgotten” issue, said a diplomat.
He, however, said the Rohingya repatriation plan, as agreed by Bangladesh and Myanmar, to begin in mid-November this year, has failed. Some tried to create the impression that Bangladesh has undertaken the Rohingya issue as a “business venture” and that Bangladesh does not want the repatriation of Rohingyas, he added.
Bangladesh, however, through its diplomatic efforts—some direct and some indirect—was able to “successfully” end this perception through its seriousness about beginning repatriation, a senior official told UNB.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, at the 73rd United Nations (UN) General Assembly, made three recommendations to solve the Rohingya crisis at its roots; one was abolishing Myanmar’s discriminatory laws, policies, and practices against the minority group.
Foreign Minister AH Mahmood Ali highlighted the need to accelerate efforts to create a conducive environment, and build houses and villages, for returnees in northern Rakhine State; to facilitate repatriation.
Minister Ali, along with Joint Working Group (JWG) members on Rohingya repatriation, in August this year, visited northern Rakhine State and saw the widespread trail of devastation suffered by people there.
Bangladesh and Myanmar formed the JWG on December 2017, to start repatriating Rohingya refugees by January 23, 2018. The JWG members from both sides visited Rohingya camps in Cox’s Bazar in October this year.