The Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) has urged the international community to take immediate steps to solve the Rohingya crisis.
The organisation made the call through adopting a consensus during concluding session of the 63rd Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference (CPC) on Tuesday in Dhaka.
A statement was issued seeking immediate actions on the humanitarian ground after the programme at Bangabandhu International Conference Centre in Dhaka this evening.
The CPA has expressed its hope that the members of all parliaments would condemn the atrocities committed against Rohingyas in Myanmar.
The CPA members also said the association should adopt a resolution supporting Bangladesh's stance.
It is necessary to put pressure on Myanmar to take back Rohingyas and ensure their safe rehabilitation, they said.
A local media report says, the CPC could not pass any resolution on Rohingya crisis.
Outgoing CPA Chairperson Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury said to pass a resolution a notice is required at least 60 days before beginning of the conference as per the rules of CPA.
It was not possible to submit a notice in this regard as the issue is a very recent matter, said Chaudhury, also the speaker of the Bangladesh Jatiya Sangsad.
Meanwhile, Cameroon National Assembly Deputy Speaker Emilia Monjowa Lifanka has become new chair the executive committee of the CPA.
Delegates from various commonwealth nations elected her at the 63rd CPC for a three-year term.
Lifanka received 107 out of 192 votes, said CPA Secretary Ganeral Akbar Khan, who announced the results.
The Cook Islands’ Nikki Rattell received 70 votes, while Montserrat’s Shirly M Osborne received 15.
CPA representatives from Africa were elated at Lifanka’s victory, bringing proceedings at the event to a halt for a good ten minutes.
“I thank the people of Africa,” Lifanka told the media. “We will begin work on CPA’s priorities.”
Departing Chairman Chaudhury congratulated Lifanka on her victory.
“We hope the CPA will proceed to implement the proposals adopted at this conference and also introduce new ones,” she said.
Chaudhary became the chair of the second largest parliamentary forum in the world in 2014.