Online Desk  :   Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus has urged the people of Bangladesh to break the cycle of revenge and foster an environment of peace and harmony.  “We are all children of this country. There should be no place for revenge,” he said during a meeting with US Chargé d’Affaires Tracy Jacobson at the state guesthouse Jamuna on Tuesday.  Professor Yunus highlighted his recent initiatives, including the establishment of a consensus commission and the initiation of dialogue with political parties.

“Once consensus is reached on reforms, the political parties will sign the July Charter and implement them,” he said.  Chargé d’Affaires Jacobson emphasised the importance of free, fair, and inclusive elections for the new government. She also inquired about ‘Operation Devil Hunt’, a recent security forces initiative. Yunus assured her that he had instructed law enforcement agencies to prioritise human rights in all operations.  The Chief Adviser praised the United States for its continued humanitarian assistance to the one million Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh. “The assistance of the United States is of the utmost importance for the Rohingyas,” he said.

However, Yunus expressed concern over the suspension of USAID projects, particularly its impact on the life-saving activities of the internationally renowned health research organisation icddr’b. He noted that ICDDR’B has significantly reduced mortality rates from diseases like diarrhoea and cholera in countries such as Bangladesh and Haiti.  “Whatever the future of USAID, US support is essential at this crucial time of reform and reconstruction in Bangladesh. This is not the time to stop,” Yunus emphasised.