UN chief voices ‍‍`concern‍‍` over disinformation targeted against Bangladesh: Foreign Adviser

Foreign Affairs Adviser Md Touhid Hossain on Saturday said UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres “expressed concern” over the disinformation targeted against Bangladesh.

“His visit would more than counterweigh the misinformation and disinformation campaign and the attempts to destabilise Bangladesh,” he told reporters at a joint media briefing with Guterres at a city hotel.

Hossain said his (Guterres) assurance of support would help Bangladesh in its successful reform process and transition to democracy in line with the common aspiration of the people of Bangladesh.

The UN chief appreciated the complexities of the reform process for a “free and fair election” and a “real transformation” of the country, said the Foreign Adviser.

Guterres promised the UN’s total commitment to the Reform process under the leadership of Chief Adviser Dr Muhammad Yunus and said he will do whatever he can do to support the endeavours of the interim government, and stand by Bangladesh and its people.

Guterres is now in Bangladesh as part of his “Ramadan Solidarity Visit” and is scheduled to leave Dhaka on Sunday morning.

The visit comes with the 50th anniversary of Bangladesh’s membership in the United Nations.

“This marks a historical moment for both Bangladesh and the United Nations, as the Secretary General himself is witnessing the formative stage of a new Bangladesh following the supreme sacrifices of the July-August mass uprising that aspired for a just, democratic and inclusive society,” Hossain said.

The ‘Ramadan Solidarity Visit’ is a tradition that Secretary-General Guterres himself initiated, and in his language - “to remind the true face of Islam”.

During the trying times, the Secretary General always stood up and expressed solidarity with the true endeavours for discrimination-free, peaceful, democratic society, said the Foreign Adviser.

The Foreign Adviser said this visit is significantly meaningful for the government and for the future Bangladesh.

Guterres also expressed his full solidarity with the Rohingya people and vowed to work for their repatriation to Myanmar with dignity, security and rights.

During this visit, the Secretary General and his high delegation that includes, among others, Undersecretary General Rabab Fatema, met the Chief Adviser, visited Cox’s Bazar Rohingya camps, met the Rohingya children and youth, witnessed how they get equipped with portable skills and learning opportunities for a dignified return to their homeland.

They had an extraordinarily historical solidarity iftar with more than one hundred thousand Rohingya people along with the Chief Adviser.

To understand the peoples’ aspirations of the future Bangladesh, Hossain said, Guterres graced three meetings with youth, civil societies as well as with the members of the Reform Commissions whose contributions are paving the way for the July Charter- the blueprint for country’s democratic transition, and draw the political, judicial, electoral, administrative, anti-corruption and police reforms.

During this visit, Guterres learnt how desperately the Rohingyas want to return to their motherland, uphold their identity, enjoy their rights in the land they own and live a life they consider dignified.

They were loud and clear that they see a dignified life in their forefather’s land- Rakhine, not in the neighbouring country’s shelter- the Cox’s Bazar camp, Hossain said.

They said ‘even an insect has its own home but we don’t have’. Thus, they defined voluntariness and dignity for themselves.

The Secretary General with his gracious presence at the Rohingya camp expressed solidarity to the cravings of the Rohingyas.

He spoke aloud to draw the urgent attention of the international community to extend all-out support to stand by the Rohingyas to keep the spotlight on them – the most discriminated people of the world.

He also assured to provide his support to the successful holding of the UN conference on Rohingya in September 2025.

The Secretary General also learnt what legacy the interim Government was left with when they took charge.