UN concerned over recent political violence in BD

Staff Reporter :
The recent political violence in the country has created concerns among the United Nations as the incidents have killed and injured many in the last few months.
“People have been killed and injured in the last few months. It is obviously a concern to us,” said UN Resident Coordinator Gwyn Lewis during an event titled ‘DCAB Talk’ organised by the Diplomatic Correspondent Association of Bangladesh (DCAB) in the Jatiya Press Club on Tuesday.
Lewis also said that she has been in the engagement with the political parties as to how things can be done in a safe way.
“I am talking with the Ministry of Home Affairs, and also talking with various security forces to try and protect lives,” she added.
About democratic values, she said, protests and rallies are parts of democracy and they should be respected.
In reply to a query about the Bangladesh election, she said, “It is not our decision. It is the government’s decision.”
She, however, said, “Unless we get a specific request from the Security Council or General Assembly or the country, there is no mandate for the UN here to engage in election.”
DCAB President Rezaul Karim and General Secretary AKM Moinuddin also spoke during the event.
About Rohingya people, Gwyn Lewis said that it had become difficult to keep the Rohingya issue on the global agenda, but the UN has been trying to keep the issue afloat.
“Various global issues are surfacing regularly. The Ukraine issue is now in focus soon after the Afghanistan war. It has become difficult to keep the Rohingya issue on the agenda. We are trying to keep it alive,” she added.
Regarding the Rohingya repatriation, she said, “The Rohingya must go back. But the repatriation has to be safe and dignified. The UN is working for their safe repatriation and will continue its assistance. We want a political solution to the Rohingya problem.”About the financial constraints to the Rohingyas, she said, “It has become a challenge to collect money for the Rohingyas due to the global situation. The food security for them is also challenging. We are giving attention here.”
In reply to a query, Gwyn Lewis said, “Out of the total donor funds, only six to seven percent are spent for UN local office management and the rest of the money is for Rohingyas.
Appreciating Bangladesh’s role in UN Peacekeeping, she said, “About 6,800 peacekeepers from Bangladesh work in UN Peacekeeping missions. Of them, 500 are women. It is very optimistic.”
She also expressed that the UN had been working with Bangladesh on the climate change issue.
About the Ukraine issue, she said, “It’s a very difficult issue. Talks are going on in the UN Secretary Council. A solution is urgent.”