Muhammad Yunus, the newly appointed leader of Bangladesh, has pledged to uphold support for both the Rohingya refugees and the country’s crucial garment industry. His commitment was outlined during his first major policy address following his return from Europe this month. Yunus, who assumed office after a dramatic student-led uprising resulted in the ousting of Sheikh Hasina, emphasized continuity in addressing two of the most pressing challenges facing Bangladesh.
The Rohingya refugee crisis remains a significant issue, with around one million Rohingya individuals seeking refuge in Bangladesh after fleeing Myanmar in 2017. Yunus underscored the need for ongoing international assistance to ensure the refugees' safety, dignity, and eventual repatriation. His administration will continue to advocate for humanitarian operations and work towards securing the refugees' rights as they prepare to return to their homeland.
In his address, Yunus also highlighted the importance of Bangladesh's garment industry, which plays a critical role in the nation’s economy. With 3,500 garment factories contributing approximately 85% of the country’s $55 billion in annual exports, Yunus stressed that his administration would not tolerate disruptions to this vital sector. The recent unrest has caused significant interruptions, with many suppliers shifting orders away from Bangladesh. Yunus’s firm stance aims to stabilize the industry and maintain its global supply chain position.
Yunus, a Nobel Peace Prize laureate known for his pioneering work in microfinance, assumed his role as "chief adviser" to a caretaker government comprised largely of civilians, with the exception of two retired generals. He expressed his commitment to conducting free and fair elections "within a few months" as part of his administration's mandate.
His predecessor, Sheikh Hasina, fled the country on August 5, following intense protests that led to her removal. The unrest also saw widespread human rights violations, including mass detentions and extrajudicial killings. Yunus's administration has vowed to facilitate an impartial investigation into these incidents, with a UN fact-finding mission expected to arrive soon.
Yunus, visibly emotional during his address, reflected on the dramatic events leading to Hasina’s ouster. He described the violence and loss of life during the protests, with more than 450 individuals reported killed in the turmoil. The new leader has committed to supporting UN investigators and addressing the atrocities committed during this period.
Looking ahead, Yunus outlined plans to implement necessary reforms in Bangladesh's election commission, judiciary, civil administration, security forces, and media. He also emphasized the importance of national reconciliation and promised to work towards restoring the integrity of the country’s institutions, which he claimed had been undermined during Hasina's rule.
