At the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly, Mohammad Yunus, the head of the interim government of Bangladesh, called for an international system that would ensure the return of funds stolen from poor countries by wealthy nations. He expressed concern that the current global financial system is ineffective at preventing the illicit outflow of money from developing countries.
Yunus emphasized that many developed nations and financial institutions have assisted in hiding money pilfered from impoverished countries. He urged these countries to repatriate the stolen funds, asserting that this money rightfully belongs to the citizens, farmers, and laborers. He highlighted that billions of dollars have been moved out through corrupt practices in the last 15 years.
He noted that recovering this money is a primary goal for the government, but it’s a task that requires international collaboration. Yunus also mentioned that the public movement in August 2024 led to a renewal of democracy. The government has committed to continuing reforms irrespective of the election results. Elections in Bangladesh are expected to take place by February of the following year.
Furthermore, Yunus addressed the Rohingya issue. He said that his government is working to protect workers’ rights, along with laws regarding those who have been forcibly disappeared. He also appealed for migrant worker safety. Regarding the Rohingya crisis, Yunus cautioned that the violence in Myanmar imperils the whole area. He called for equal rights for the Rohingya and urged international pressure on Myanmar.
Yunus also expressed sorrow regarding the deaths in Gaza. He called the deaths of children and the destruction of hospitals a living genocide. He advocated for a two-state solution that would include a free Palestine and East Jerusalem as its capital.
