Bangladesh to raise Rohingya issue in CPA

Bangladesh will raise the Rohingya issue in the 63rd Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference starting tomorrow in Dhaka.

The country, which is currently hosting over six lakhs Rohingyas, who fled persecution in Myanmar since August, brief all foreign delegates including Speakers and Deputy Speakers of Commonwealth countries in the conference over the ongoing humanitarian crisis, sources at the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association said.

Over 550 delegates from 144 national and provincial parliaments from 44 countries are scheduled to participate in the eight-day long mega event, the sources said.

Formed in 1911, the annual flagship event would bring together parliamentarians, parliamentary staff and decision makers from across the Commonwealth for this unique conference and networking opportunity.

A total of 52 countries are members of CPA at present.

Although the conference would kick off tomorrow, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, also vice-patron of the CPC, would formally inaugurate the conference on November 5 at the South Plaza of the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban.

Speaker of Bangladesh parliament Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury would preside over the conference, in which Deputy Speaker Fazle Rabbi Mia would lead the Bangladesh delegation.

Talking to reporters at her office in parliament, Speaker Shirin Sharmin today said Foreign Minister AH Mahmood Ali will brief the foreign delegates on November 5 on the Rohingya issue so that they can understand the whole issue.

Bangladesh will also be able to give answer if they have any queries on the global issue, added the Speaker. 

"Bangladesh wants the world community's support and this message can be delivered at that briefing session," she said adding, many MPs of different countries also want to know about the ongoing burning issue centering the Rohingya crisis. "That's why we are arranging the briefing."

The event will take place at the Bangabandhu International Convention Centre.

Meanwhile, the foreign delegates have started coming to Dhaka to attend the largest annual gathering of CPA. Theme of 63^rd conference is "Continuing to enhance the high standards of performance of MPs."

Before formal inauguration of the conference on November 5, steering committee meeting, Small Branches Conference, Regional Secretaries meeting, different sub-committee meeting will take place at city's Radisson Blu Hotel.

Eight workshops on different global related issues including climate change, poverty reduction, fortify of democracy, effective parliament, sustainable development, rise of nationalism will be held during the eight day-long conference.

After the inaugural session, all other events of the conference will be held at BICC.

The conference will conclude with a Dhaka declaration.