Shama Obaed seeks ICRC’s cooperation in addressing emerging digital threats

State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam today (25 August) drew attention to the growing incidence of digital harassment, particularly against women, and sought the ICRC’s cooperation in addressing emerging digital threats and their humanitarian consequences.

She also proposed exploring the possibility of hosting an ICRC regional meeting on International Humanitarian Law (IHL) in Dhaka.

The issues were discussed when Regional Director for Asia Pacific of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) Régis Savioz met the State Minister at her office.

During the meeting, the State Minister appreciated the ICRC’s longstanding humanitarian engagement in Bangladesh.

She briefed him on the government’s people-centric and humanitarian approach to social protection, highlighting the potential impact of the Family Card and Farmer Card initiatives.

State Minister Shama Obaed recalled the atrocities committed against the Rohingyas and their mass exodus from Rakhine State, noting that today marks the 9th anniversary of those tragic events.

She appreciated the ICRC’s continued support for the Rohingyas and sought its sustained humanitarian engagement. She urged the ICRC to strengthen its advocacy for the early repatriation of the Rohingyas to Myanmar, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Regional Director Savioz commended Bangladesh’s continued cooperation with the ICRC and acknowledged its constructive contribution to the global IHL agenda, including as a Co-Chair of the “HL and Peace” Workstream.

He expressed the ICRC’s willingness to expand cooperation in IHL dissemination, capacity building, humanitarian response and other areas of mutual interest.