Dhaka: Chief of Army Staff General Waqar-uz-Zaman has said that army personnel will not be sent on peacekeeping missions if allegations of human rights violations against them while deployed in Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) forces are proven.
ISPR said in a press release that he returned to the country on Friday (October 25, 2024) after visiting the United States and Canada.
During the visit, he met important persons associated with the peacekeeping mission at the United Nations Headquarters, high-ranking military and civilian officials including the US Army Chief, and high-ranking Canadian military and civilian officials and individuals.
On October 17, he met with the Under Secretary General of the United Nations Department of Peace Operations Jean-Pierre Lacroix, Under Secretary General of the Department of Operational Support Atul Khare, Assistant Secretary General of the United Nations High Commission for Human Rights Ilje Brands Kehris, Under Secretary General (Department of (Political and Peacebuilding Affairs), Assistant Secretary General for Middle East, Asia and Pacific Affairs Mohammad Khaled Khyari and Director of Office for Peacekeeping Strategic Partnerships General Joy Menon each met in bilateral meetings.
During the meeting with the army chief, they highly praised the peacekeeping activities of the Bangladeshi peacekeepers, especially the members of the armed forces. In these meetings, the army chief emphasized on increasing the participation of Bangladeshi peacekeepers in UN peacekeeping missions and increasing the representation of Bangladesh at the policy-making/force command level. Besides, the army chief informed everyone that if the allegations of human rights violations against the army members are proven while they are deployed in the RAB forces, they will not be selected for the peacekeeping mission.
Besides, he shed light on the ongoing activities of the Bangladesh Army as per the directions of the interim government in the current situation of Bangladesh. The Army Chief highlighted the various positive aspects taken by the Bangladesh Government and the Army for the development of socio-economic and peace order in the Chittagong Hill Tracts.
He also apprised them about the operation of hospitals and clinics by the Bangladeshi peacekeeping contingents engaged in various peacekeeping missions to ensure healthcare for the local people. Among the countries participating in the mission, exchange of peacekeeping training, enhancement of operational capabilities and other issues related to the mission were discussed with importance. The army chief reiterated the strong role and support of Bangladeshi peacekeepers in world peacekeeping to the senior UN officials. Besides, the Chief of Army Staff visited the Permanent Mission of Bangladesh in New York and had a courtesy call on the Permanent Representative.
On October 22, the Chief of Army Staff had a courtesy meeting and discussion with the US Chief of Staff of the Army, General Randy A. George, at the Pentagon in Washington DC. During the meeting, they discussed issues related to the interests of the armies of the two countries, especially UN peacekeeping missions, training assistance, development of bilateral relations and mutual trust, mutual cooperation in regional security, post-disaster humanitarian assistance, joint training. At that time, the foreign policy adviser of the US army chief was present.
In addition, the US Secretary of Defense Office of the Chief of Army Staff, Indo-Pacific Security Affairs Assistant Military Secretary Dr. Courtesy meeting with Eli Ratnar. During this time, strengthening the relationship between the Indo-Pacific countries and the Bangladesh Army and increasing mutual cooperation and future plans were discussed. Special Assistant to the President of the United States and Senior Director for South Asia Lindsey W. Ford, along with senior military and civilian officials on South Asia from the National Security Council, were also present during the meeting. Besides, he had a courtesy meeting with US State Department Assistant Secretary Donald Lu.
During the meeting, the army chief informed about the overall security situation of the country and various activities of the army in support of the government. The meeting was attended by other senior officials of the State Department.
During his visit to Canada, the Chief of Army Staff paid a courtesy call on Vice Chief of Canadian Defense Staff Lieutenant General Stephen R. Kells. During the meeting, he talked about facilitating visa processing for Bangladeshi students, serving and retired military personnel. He mentioned strengthening cooperation in the field of defense especially the exchange of trainees between military training institutes.
Besides, Salma Zahid, a member of the Standing Committee on Citizenship and Immigration of the Canadian Parliament, met the Army Chief. During the meeting, they discussed various issues related to the mutual interests of the two countries. The army chief particularly emphasized on facilitating the visa process for students and serving/retired military officers, signing MoUs with Bangladesh universities for educational exchange, sending attendants along with agriculture and infrastructure development, and cooperation in the health sector. Also, Canadian High Commissioner-designate to Bangladesh Ajit Singh and Bangladesh High Commissioner to Canada Nahida Sobhan paid a courtesy call on the Army Chief.
The Army Chief went on an official visit to the United States and Canada on October 15.
Bangladesh Time: 2352 hours, October 25, 2024
MUM/JH
