Foreign Secretary Ambassador Md. Jashim Uddin called for action with courage, compassion, and responsibility to safeguard the dignity and sustainable rights of all. He said this as Chief Guest at an event organized today by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) to mark the 75th anniversary of the adoption of the Four Geneva Conventions.
In his speech, Foreign Secretary emphasized the crucial role of International Humanitarian Law (IHL) in protecting human dignity during conflict. He urged the international community to work towards a future where human rights and dignity are upheld. He underscored Bangladesh’s steadfast commitment to peace, disarmament, and international humanitarian law (IHL).
Acknowledging the increasing complexity of modern conflicts, he expressed concern over the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, particularly the high civilian casualties, including children. He also touched upon the broader issues of climate change-induced displacement, emphasizing the vulnerability of marginalized communities.
On the protracted crisis of the Rohingya temporarily sheltered in Bangladesh, Foreign Secretary called for unified international support to address the root causes of the crisis and ensure their safe return to Myanmar. He referred to the recent call of the Hon’ble Chief Adviser to the UN Secretary General to convene an all stakeholders’ Conference on the Rohingya crisis in early 2025 to review the overall situation of the crisis and suggest innovative and forward looking ways out.
Toufique Hasan, Director General (UN) of the Ministry highlighted the country’s contributions to UN peacekeeping operations and its role in promoting women’s participation in peace-building.
Agnès Dhur, Head of Delegation of the ICRC in Bangladesh, and H.E. Reto Renggli, the Ambassador of Switzerland to Bangladesh also spoke at the event. Dr. Nazmuzzaman Bhuiyan Professor at the Department of Law of the University of Dhaka delivered the keynote presentation at the event.
The event brought together diplomats, government officials, members of the National IHL Committee and scholars, among others.