UN Resident Coordinator in Dhaka Gwen Lewis paid a courtesy call on Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr. Shafiqur Rahman. The meeting was held at the Jamaat Ameer's office in Bashundhara in the capital on Tuesday (October 7) morning. Gwen Lewis was accompanied by UN Human Rights Adviser Ms. Huma Khan in the meeting. On the other hand, Jamaat was represented by party Secretary General and former Member of Parliament Professor Mia Golam Parwar and Supreme Court lawyer Mir Ahmad Bin Quasem (Arman).

At the beginning of the meeting, Gwen Lewis inquired about the health of Dr. Shafiqur Rahman and wished him a speedy recovery. In the meeting, both sides discussed in detail the upcoming national elections, human rights situation and social development in Bangladesh.

The upcoming national elections were mentioned as very important for Bangladesh. The need for UN cooperation and technical assistance in organizing free, fair and acceptable elections was highlighted. Briefing reporters after the meeting, Jamaat Secretary General Professor Mia Golam Parwar said, "We are optimistic that the elections in Bangladesh will be held in a free, fair and transparent manner. The reform process and the July Charter were discussed. If a national consensus is built on the legal basis of this charter, then the elections can be impartial."

He also said that Jamaat does not see any concern about the elections in February, but the importance of national dialogue for political stability was highlighted.

The meeting also discussed the Rohingya refugee problem, the situation in Myanmar and the humanitarian crisis in the hilly region. Professor Parwar said, "The Rohingya issue has now become not only a humanitarian but also a regional security problem. Many young people are going astray due to lack of education, medical treatment and shelter. A coordinated effort from everyone, including the United Nations, is needed to solve this problem."

Dr. Shafiqur Rahman said in the meeting that although Jamaat, as a political party, cannot work directly in the Rohingya camps, it is providing humanitarian assistance through Islamic NGOs.

In addition, the meeting also discussed in detail the protection of women's rights in Bangladesh, increasing their skills in the workplace and women's participation in development activities. Jamaat expressed its hope for continued support from the United Nations in this regard.

At the end of the meeting, Dr. Shafiqur Rahman said, "Acceptable elections are not possible without national consensus. We hope that a fruitful announcement will come from the consensus commission tomorrow (October 8)."

In the meeting that lasted about an hour and a half, both sides emphasized the importance of strengthening the democratic process in Bangladesh, protecting human rights and increasing development cooperation.