DHAKA: Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen said United Nations can not avoid liability of ethnic cleansing in the Rakhine state.

Dr AK Abdul Momen said: “United Nations was not aware of long-held ethnic cleansing in the Rakhine state of Myanmar. They can in no way avoid liability of Rakhine incident.”

The minister told reporters while speaking at a seminar in Bangladesh Institute of International and Strategic Studies (BIISS) on Thursday (June 20).

Dr AK Abdul Momen said: “They (UN) hid the issue of persecution of Rohingyas for a long time. They also have to take that liability.”

In response to another question, he said: “Myanmar must be held accountable for atrocities committed against Rohingyas.”

Geneva conventions were held so that human rights were not violated. Wars are going on in all parts of the world including Syria, Sudan and Yemen. Humanity rights are being violated there. However, Bangladesh is committed to establish world peace, Dr AK Abdul Momen also said.

The seminar was titled “70-years anniversary of the Geneva conventions: the relevance of international law (IHL) in today’s evolving humanitarian world.”

International Red Cross Committee (ICRC) and Diplomatic Correspondent Association, Bangladesh (DCAB) jointly organized the seminar.

BDST: 1552 HRS, JUNE 20, 2019

AH/SMS