The United States has said it is "maintaining pressure" on Myanmar’s military regime to end the Rohingya crisis and create conditions conducive for the eventual voluntary return of the refugees to their homeland in a manner that is safe, dignified, informed, and sustainable.
US Under Secretary for Civilian Security, Democracy, and Human Rights Uzra Zeya met with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina this morning and discussed bilateral issues.
They discussed the strong and growing partnership between the United States and Bangladesh, including coordination on issues from humanitarian assistance to gender equality.
They spoke about efforts to advance a prosperous future built on strong democratic institutions, including free and fair elections; the vital role of civil society and independent media; promoting human rights and fundamental freedoms, including freedom of association and labor rights, according to the US Embassy in Dhaka.
"Us appreciates Bangladesh’s generosity towards Rohingya refugees and looks forward to free and fair elections anchoring a thriving democratic future for the Bangladeshi people," Under Secretary Zeya tweeted after her meeting with Prime Minister Hasina.
She also described the meeting as "engaging and productive".
The Under Secretary and Prime Minister also discussed Bangladesh`s generous hosting of Rohingya refugees and the continued need for support from the global community.
The United States is proud to have provided more than $2.1 billion in humanitarian assistance to support Rohingya refugees and host communities in Bangladesh and the region since August 2017.
The Under Secretary also shared that the United States is providing more than $74 million in additional humanitarian assistance to support the ongoing response efforts in Myanmar and Bangladesh, including nearly $61 million to support Rohingyas internally displaced in Myanmar, Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh, and their host communities, including in Bangladesh, while urging continued support by other donors and potential donors.
Given declining donor support and rising camp insecurity, the United States strongly encouraged the government of Bangladesh to expand livelihood opportunities for Rohingya refugees.
The US Under Secretary urged worldwide partners’ assistance for the nearly over 1.1 million Rohingyas who fled genocide.
"US is proud to be the leading donor of humanitarian aid to Rohingya and urges worldwide partners’ assistance for the Rohingyas," she said.
During her visit to Rohingya camp in Cox’s Bazar on Wednesday, Under Secretary Zeya had "important conversation" with RRRC Mizanur Rahman.
"I thanked him for RRRC’s support to Rohingya refugees and his efforts to ensure U.S. humanitarian aid advances safe and dignified conditions for Rohingya," she tweeted.
After her meeting with the Prime Minister, she will have a series of meetings till Thursday night.
She is scheduled to have dinner with PM`s Private Industries and Investment Adviser Salman F Rahman apart from her other engagements throughout the day, a diplomatic source told UNB.
The US Under Secretary had meetings with Law Minister Anisul Haq and Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan before her meeting with Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen on Thursday noon.
"Thrilled to be in Bangladesh. Thanks for the warm welcome," Under Secretary Zeya tweeted after her arrival in Dhaka on Tuesday evening.
Zeya leads global diplomatic efforts to strengthen democracy, advance universal human rights, support refugees and humanitarian relief, promote rule of law and counternarcotics cooperation, fight corruption and intolerance, prevent armed conflict, and eliminate human trafficking.
US Assistant Secretary of State for the Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs Donald Lu and Deputy Assistant Administrator of the Bureau for Asia, USAID Änjali Kaur are part of the delegation, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
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