FM for holding Israel accountable for crimes against humanity

Foreign Minister Dr Hasan Mahmud today demanded immediate cessation of the conflict in Palestine, ensuring humanitarian access and holding Israel accountable for war crimes and crimes against humanity.

"Accountability and punishment are mandatory so that once for all the ongoing conflict in Gaza ends and people can start living peacefully in their own land," he said while speaking at the 15th Islamic Summit Conference at Banjul in the Gambia, a foreign ministry's press release said here.

The foreign minister said it is time for the leaderships' total commitment and goodwill to end the crisis and to establish justice as desired by the Muslim Ummah.

"We, the members of the OIC, should be part of a multi-tracked international engagement to end the Gaza crisis," he said.

Hasan said all should support the ICJ case submitted by South Africa as Bangladesh along with a few other countries has requested International Criminal Court for an investigation of 'the situation in the State of Palestine'.

"Bangladesh's participation and engagements in the OIC has always been guided by the principles of unity, peace, prosperity and development, first outlined by Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman whose vision included a revival of the Muslim world," he said.

The Bangladesh foreign minister underlined the need for finding the solution to the Rohingya crisis through international intervention and implementation of judgement of the International Court of Justice (ICJ).

He said the Rohingya crisis has entered its 7th year and Bangladesh is hosting the largest refugee camp in the world while it is the duty for all to assist in fulfilling the desire of these homeless people to return to their own country.

"As solution through the court is a long-term issue, we must keep the momentum going," he said.

Hasan appreciated the voluntary contribution and pledge of some countries and urge all Member States to commit to contribute generously to the Gambian case against Myanmar with the ICJ.

The foreign minister said the OIC should continue initiating dialogue with the governments and inter-governmental bodies like the UN, EU and other organizations to diffuse the elements that is instigating islamophobia and creating an environment of intolerance.

He said Bangladesh maintains a zero-tolerance policy towards all forms of terrorism including financing in terrorism, radicalization and violent extremism which is contributing to maintain peace and stability in the region.

It is also Bangladesh's principled stance not to harbor international terrorists and not to allow our territory to be used for terrorism purpose, Hasan added.

The Bangladesh foreign minister said OIC is a platform that will be able to build a Muslim Ummah of shared peace and stability through the concerted efforts of its member state.

The Gambia took over the presidency from Saudi Arabia at the opening session of the OIC summit.

Speaking at the opening session, OIC Secretary General Hissein Brahim Taha thanked the Bangladesh government for providing shelter to the forcefully displaced Rohingya people.

The Bangladesh delegation led by Dr Hasan also comprised with foreign secretary Masud Bin Momen, Bangladesh Ambassador to Saudi Arabia and permanent representative to OIC Mohammed Jabed Patoyi, Bangladesh Ambassador to Nigeria Masudur Rahman and foreign ministry's Director General (International Organizations) Wahida Ahmed, among others.

On the sideline of the conference, Hasan also held separate bilateral meetings with Malaysian foreign minister Mohamad Bin Haji Hasan, Azerbaijan foreign minister Jeyhun Bayramov and Brunei's second minister for foreign affairs Erywan bin Pehin.