Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Monday said her government wants the next general election to be held in a free and fair manner with the participation of all political parties.
She made the remarks when UK Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs Jeremy Hunt met her at the bilateral meeting room of the UN headquarters here.
After the meeting, Foreign Secretary Md Shahidul Haque briefed reporters.
Jeremy Hunt said the UK is looking forward to a free, fair and participatory election in Bangladesh.
In response, the Prime Minister said, ‘We also want all (political parties) to participate in the next election and it'll be free and fair. Our government is working constantly for this.’
Turning to the Rohingya issue, the UK secretary of foreign affairs wanted to know from the Prime Minister about the repatriation process of the forcibly displaced Rohingya people.
In reply, Hasina said Bangladesh has signed agreements with Myanmar to this end. ‘Myanmar has agreed to take back their nationals from Bangladesh, but they don't act accordingly,’ she said.
The Prime Minister said the Rohingyas will return to their homeland ‘if we can create a conducive environment and give assurance them of their safe and dignified repatriation to their homeland. But such thing is not happening.’
In this regard, Hasina sought support of all, including the UK, to shift the Rohingyas to an island, Bhashan Char, in Bangladesh.
Jeremy expressed his desire to visit Bangladesh soon.
Foreign Minister AH Mahmood Ali and PM's Principal Secretary Md Nojibur Rahman were present on the occasion.
Earlier, the Prime Minister attended a High-level Event on Global Call to Action on World Drug Problem organised by the Permanent Mission of the United States.
US President Donald Trump, among other world leaders, was present, said the foreign secretary. Source: unb.
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