DHAKA: Terming ‘Rohingya Issue’ a matter of deep concern, a total of 135 countries voted for UN Committee’s resolution, while 10 countries including, China and Russia, voted against the resolution, with 26 abstained, and 22 remained absent.

In a response over the result, two former diplomats advised Bangladesh to continue pressurizing Myanmar as well ass deploying strategic policies.

In the resolution, Myanmar was urged to review the Citizenship Act of 1982 and give full citizenship to Rohingyas.

Meanwhile, the government was urged to bring to justice the perpetrators who committed atrocities against Rohingyas.

On October 31, Egypt submitted the draft resolution to the Third Committee titled 'Human rights situation in Myanmar.'  

Former Foreign Secretary Md. Touhid Hossain told Banglanews that "We have learnt that most of the countries of the world voted for Bangladesh. India is among the ones who abstained from voting. Our problems circle around India, Russia, and China. We haven’t got rid of these problems.  Finally, India, being very important in the voting, did not support the resolution.”

Another former ambassador Humayun Kabir told Banglanews that India, China, Russia, Japan took their positions by not voting for the resolution. Those who voted for the resolution were with us even from earlier.

Resolution has made it clear who are on which side of the issue. Now it is up to us ponder over the matter, take strategic steps to sort out the problem quickly.
 
With such support from many countries, we must utilize this pressure. To implement this pressure in the right way is huge progress, added Humayun Kabir

BDST: 1535 HRS, NOV 18, 2017
AH/EHJ