Bangladesh’s Foreign Affairs Adviser, Touhid Hossain, clarified that the nation did not request United Nations (UN) assistance to facilitate the return of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina from India. This statement came during a joint press briefing with UN Secretary-General António Guterres in Dhaka.
During the briefing, Hossain emphasized that Guterres expressed support for Bangladesh’s ongoing reform process, aimed at ensuring free and fair elections and a “real transformation” of the country. Guterres pledged the UN’s full commitment to this reform effort under the leadership of the current interim government, offering to provide all possible support to Bangladesh and its people.
A significant point of concern raised by Guterres was the prevalence of disinformation targeting Bangladesh. Hossain asserted that the UN Secretary-General’s visit would help counter these misinformation campaigns and attempts to destabilize the country. He believes Guterres’s assurances will aid in the successful implementation of reforms and the transition to democracy, reflecting the aspirations of the Bangladeshi people.
Guterres engaged in meetings with youth, civil society representatives, and members of reform commissions to gain a deeper understanding of the people’s vision for the future of Bangladesh. These discussions contributed to the development of the “July Charter,” a blueprint for democratic transition encompassing political, judicial, electoral, administrative, anti-corruption, and police reforms.
The Rohingya refugee crisis was also a key focus of Guterres’s visit. He witnessed firsthand the Rohingyas’ strong desire to return to their homeland in Rakhine State, Myanmar, and live with dignity. He expressed solidarity with their plight and pledged to raise international awareness about their situation, calling for sustained support. Guterres also assured his support for the UN conference on Rohingya in September 2025.
