The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs yesterday suggested to the government to create pressure on Myanmar through the United Nations (UN) to take back the Rohingyas fleeing persecution in Rakhine state in the neighbouring country. The committee also recommended to the foreign ministry to focus on the real scenario of the atrocities against Rohingyas by the Myanmarese authorities at the UN.

The meeting came ahead of Prime Minister (PM) Sheikh Hasina’s scheduled address to the 72nd UN general assembly in New York on September 21. The PM is expected to focus on Bangladesh’s position on the Rohingya issue in her address. A high-level delegation, led by the PM, will reach New York on September 17 to attend the UN general assembly.

The Parliamentary Standing Committee meeting held at Sangsad Bhaban was chaired by its chairman Dr Dipu Moni. Committee members, including state minister for foreign affairs Shahriar Alam, Faruk Khan, Golam Faruque Khandaker, Sohrab Uddin, Kazi Nabil Ahmed, Selim Uddin and Mahjabeen Khaled, attended the meeting.

After the meeting, Faruk Khan told reporters that the committee had discussed the “barbaric attacks” on the Rohingyas.

“The committee has recommended to the foreign ministry to mount pressure on the UN so that it can initiate a move in sending back the Rohingyas,” he said.

The committee also asked the government for holding a “Bangladesh Envoys Conference” with the participation of all the ambassadors and high commissioners of the country.

It suggested that the proposed conference should hold detailed discussions on the government’s policies and positions as well as its challenges and prospects regarding foreign policy, international relations, bilateral relations, trade and commerce, and expatriate welfare. It also suggested preparing booklets and documentaries on the Liberation War of 1971 and sending those to the country’s foreign missions.