Online Desk  :   The United States would support the Interim Government of Bangladesh and strengthen its ties with Dhaka on a range of issues, said US Embassy Charge d’Affaires (Cd’A) Helen LaFave on Monday. The US diplomat made the comments while holding a meeting with Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus at the State Guest House Jamuna in Dhaka this noon. The US government was happy to congratulate the chief adviser and was looking forward to working closely together, the envoy said.

She said the US embassy in Dhaka will this week resume its consular service to expedite visa processing. She said thousands of Bangladeshi students now study in the US universities. Helen said the US would work closely in health, education, labour, governance, and the Rohingyas’ issues. Washington has started resettling Rohingyas to the US, and she hoped the process would be expedited. The US is the largest contributor to the Rohingyas’ humanitarian responses, she said, adding that the amount of monthly food aid for Rohingyas has been increased this year after more US funding. She also called for livelihood opportunities for the Rohingyas.

Chief Adviser Prof Yunus thanked the US for supporting Bangladesh, including its continued funding for more than one million Rohingyas who live in the camps in Cox’s Bazar. The Chief Adviser told her that the Interim Government was tasked with carrying out deep reforms and the general election would be held after a reasonable time.

Yunus called for a “combined” effort and “a common platform” among the donors for flood response in Bangladesh. The envoy raised some concerns over labour and minority issues. The Chief Adviser said every citizen in the country is “protected by the constitution” and the Interim Government is committed to upholding the human rights of all citizens.

Human rights issues, cyber security laws, and the Rapid Action Battalion also came up during the talks. Helen said her government was also trying to help Bangladesh set up a prosecutorial service to ensure fair trials in the country.