If US congressmen wrote to PM about Dr Yunus, they're asking govt to interfere with court: Hasan Mahmud

The case against Dr Yunus is within the jurisdiction of the court, and the government has no authority over it, Foreign Minister Dr Hasan Mahmud said today (23 January).

Responding to a query regarding 12 US senators' letter to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to 'end harassment' of Dr Yunus, the foreign minister said, "If the US congressmen wrote any such letter [about Dr Yunus to the prime minister], then they are asking the government to interfere with the court. Can the government do that? Is it logical?"

While talking to reporters at the foreign ministry, he further said, "The government cannot dictate the court. I would like to say, paying due respect to Dr Yunus, that the government is not a party to the case. Aggrieved people filed the case." 

The minister also said the World Bank is willing to provide $700 million for Rohingyas and the host communities in Bangladesh.

"The country director of the World Bank told me that they will provide $315 million as grant for the Rohingyas and the rest $385 million will be provided to support the host community in Cox's Bazar as soft loan," he said, adding that they want to further deepen its cooperation with Bangladesh.

Regarding his meeting with his Myanmar counterpart on the sidelines of the NAM Summit in Uganda, Hasan Mahmud said the Myanmar foreign minister has shown interest in the repatriation of Rohingyas. 

Additionally, discussions were held to reinstate Bangladesh-Myanmar trade to its previous status, he added.

'BNP upset as entire world greets Sheikh Hasina'  

In response to a question from journalists, the foreign minister said the entire world has congratulated Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and expressed interest in working together. "Observing this, BNP has been upset," he added.

He said, "I held 17 bilateral meetings in two days during the summit. Twelve of these meetings took place on the first day. The Awami League government was welcomed in every meeting, and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina was congratulated."

The foreign minister said they have prioritised a few issues with the countries meeting on the sidelines of the summit, including economic diplomacy or trade expansion and the Rohingya issue.

"I have requested the UN secretary-general address the Gaza problem. The repatriation of the Rohingya population was also discussed, and I have sought the intervention of the UN to resolve this issue," he added.

Hasan Mahmud said, "In a meeting with the Myanmar foreign minister, I requested the repatriation of Rohingyas, suggesting at least starting the repatriation process. I observed a positive attitude from them. Since the arrival of the Rohingya people, the trade situation between the two countries has significantly decreased. We further discussed the possibility of increasing trade, and a positive response has also been received from them."

He added, "Drugs come from Myanmar in various ways, and various groups in Myanmar are involved in it. They also admitted to the matter."

He said the matter of Rohingya repatriation has also been discussed with India's External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar. India has also been requested by Bangladesh regarding repatriation.

Hasan also praised Uganda as a beautiful country with a favourable climate and security conditions. He highlighted the great agricultural potential in Uganda, particularly for cultivating cotton and palm oil. "We are planning to send a trade delegation there soon," he added.

The minister mentioned that discussions on trade expansion took place with the foreign ministers of Belarus, Brazil, and Indonesia, and all expressed interest.

"We export manpower to Singapore, and discussions were also held to address obstacles in the export of manpower to these countries," he added.

The foreign minister participated in the 19th NAM Summit in Kampala. He was accompanied by Foreign Secretary Masood Bin Momen, Permanent Representative of Bangladesh to the United Nations Muhammad A Muhith, High Commissioner of Bangladesh to Kenya and Uganda Tarek Muhammad, and others.