Drawing a parallel between the prolonged Rohingya crisis and the ongoing humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza, CA鈥檚 high representative Khalilur Rahman on Tuesday said there is 鈥榦ur own Gaza (Rohingya) on our shoulders, yet there are no protests for it鈥�.
鈥楢t a time when Bangladesh is hosting an investment summit, protests against Israel erupted across the country, leading to vandalism and attacks on outlets of multinational corporations,鈥� he said while addressing a press conference at the Foreign Service Academy in Dhaka.
The press briefing was organised to brief the media on key achievements of the sixth Bimstec Summit held in Bangkok from April 3 to 4.
Chief adviser鈥檚 press secretary Shafiqul Alam and deputy press secretary Apurba Jahangir were also present.
In response to a question about the message this sends to foreign investors, Khalilur Rahman observed, 鈥榃henever we move to do something positive, sudden complications arise. There seems to be a pattern-a deliberate attempt to derail our good initiatives.鈥�
He went on to say, 鈥楾he global conscience is outraged by what鈥檚 happening in Gaza, and it is natural for Bangladeshis to react. But what pains me most is that we already have a Gaza of our own-the Rohingya crisis. Yet there is no protest, no public discussion. Instead, we see people taking to the streets and engaging in looting. This must stop. We must first resolve our own issues.鈥�
Khalilur Rahman expressed disappointment over the apparent double standards in public sentiment, saying, 鈥業t feels shameful when I am asked abroad, 鈥淲hy is there silence about the Rohingya crisis in your country while you rally for others?鈥� Are the Rohingyas any less Muslim than those in Gaza? We must understand our priorities.鈥�
He called on the public to stand up for domestic challenges, saying, 鈥極f course you may speak out about international issues, but first and foremost, stand for the crisis at home. Otherwise, we will fail to protect our national interests.鈥�
Meanwhile, on Monday, protests erupted in Bangladesh condemning the Israeli military offensive in Gaza. These demonstrations turned violent in some areas, leading to the arrest of 49 people involved in vandalism and looting.
A statement posted on the chief adviser鈥檚 verified Facebook page confirmed that two official cases had been filed in connection with the violence.
The police are reviewing video footage from the demonstrations to identify those involved and have pledged to continue their crackdown until all perpetrators are brought to justice.
Since October 7, 2023, when Hamas launched a surprise attack on Israel that killed approximately 1,200 people, the Israeli Defence Forces have retaliated with relentless assaults on the Gaza Strip.
Over 50,000 Palestinians-most of them women and children-have since lost their lives.
Khalilur Rahman reaffirmed Bangladesh鈥檚 historical commitment to supporting oppressed people worldwide, referencing the country鈥檚 own liberation struggle. 鈥業t is our moral obligation to stand with the persecuted. But let us not forget those suffering within our own borders,鈥� he said.
