Uzra Zeya vouched for stronger ties

US State Department Under Secretary for Civilian Security, Human Rights and Democracy Uzra Zeya has reiterated the commitment to strengthen bilateral relations.

US Undersecretary Uzra Zeya held a meeting with Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen at State Guest House Padma on Thursday (July 13).

This commitment was announced in a press release of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs at night regarding the meeting.

Regarding the meeting, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said, they discussed the protracted Rohingya crisis including achieving the ultimate goal of repatriation, challenges to humanitarian responses and accountability measures.

Ms. Zeya appreciated Bangladesh for generously hosting over a million Rohingya and acknowledged Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s leadership in this regard.

They further discussed among others issues related to labour reforms, civil rights, upcoming national election and trafficking in persons.

Highlighting the achievement in labour reforms the Foreign Secretary hoped that this will further boost bilateral trade and the US investment in Bangladesh.

He reiterated Bangladesh’s request to repatriate Rashed Chowdhury, the self-confessed and convicted killer of Bangabandhu.
He also restated Bangladesh’s request to review the sanction on RAB.

Ms. Zeya appreciated the Prime Minister’s unequivocal commitment to hold a free, fair and violence-free national election.

Md Mustafizur Rahman, Senior Secretary, Public Security Division,  Md. Ehsan-E-Elahi , Secretary, Ministry of Labour and Employment, Md. Golam Sarwar, Secretary, Law and Justice Division, Md Kamrul Hasan, Secretary, Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief and other senior government officials were present in the meeting.

Ms. Zeya was accompanied by Assistant Secretary for South and Central Asia Bureau Donald Lu, USAID Deputy Assistant Administrator Anjali Kaur, U.S. Ambassador to Bangladesh Peter Haas, National Security Council Director for South Asia Regional Affairs Brian Luti and other US officials.

Under Secretary Uzra Zeya called-on the Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in the morning and later met Law Minister Anisul Huq and Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan in their offices. The US delegation also visited Rohingya camps in Cox’s Bazar.

Ms. Zeya is leading a 6-member US delegation who is visiting Bangladesh from 11-14 July 2023.