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The Financial Express

Pope avoids 'Rohingya' in speech again

Appreciates role of Bangladesh over refugee crisis


| Updated: December 01, 2017 14:59:41


Pope Francis addresses a meeting at Bangabhaban in Dhaka on Thursday. Reuters Photo Pope Francis addresses a meeting at Bangabhaban in Dhaka on Thursday. Reuters Photo

Pope Francis has avoided using the word "Rohingya" again while addressing a meeting at Bangabhaban in Dhaka on Thursday.

Earlier on Tuesday, he did not use this word in his address during his visit in Myanmar.

The Catholic leader arrived in Dhaka on Thursday for his three-day visit after wrapping up his trip to Myanmar.

Pope Francis appreciated the role of Bangladesh in providing shelter to huge number of forcibly displaced people.

"This has been done at no little sacrifice (and) It has also been done before the eyes of the whole world," he said.

The Pope urged international community to take decisive measures over the crisis.

He sought measures not only to resolve the political issue over 'refugee crisis' but also to provide immediate material assistance to respond to the humanitarian needs.

“None of us can fail to be aware of the gravity of the situation, the immense toll of human suffering involved, and the precarious living conditions of so many of our brothers and sisters, a majority of whom are women and children, crowded in the refugee camps,” he said. 

"It is imperative that the international community take decisive measures to address this grave crisis," he added.

Some 625,000 Rohingya Muslims have fled the Rakhine state in Buddhist-dominated Myanmar since security forces responded to Rohingya militants' attacks on Aug 25 by launching a crackdown.

During the meeting, President M Abdul Hamid expected Pope's stance against brutalities to resolve the Rohingya crisis by morally obligating the international community to take prompt and sincere actions.

Pope Francis made an earnest reference to the political ideology and vision of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.

"He envisioned a modern, pluralistic and inclusive society in which every person and community could live in freedom, peace and security, with respect for the innate dignity and equal rights of all," Pope said.

According to BSS, the Catholic leader said no single community, nation or state can survive and make progress in isolation in today's world.

"We need one another and are dependent on one another as members of the one human family," the Pope said.

He said President Sheikh Mujibur Rahman understood and sought to embody this principle in the national Constitution.

 

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