Mohammad Yunus, the head of the interim government of Bangladesh, has urged wealthy nations to establish a system to prevent the theft of funds from impoverished countries and facilitate their return. He emphasized the current financial system’s failure to curb the outflow of money from developing nations. Yunus made these remarks at the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York.
Yunus stated at the UNGA that numerous developed countries and financial institutions aid in concealing money stolen from poor nations. He appealed to all such countries to return the stolen funds, emphasizing that the money belongs to farmers, laborers, and ordinary citizens. Over the past 15 years, billions of dollars have been siphoned off through corruption.
Yunus highlighted that recovering this money is a top priority for the government, but it is challenging without the cooperation of other nations. He noted that the public movement in August 2024 marked a new beginning for democracy. The commitment to reforms will continue regardless of who wins the upcoming elections. Elections in Bangladesh are scheduled to be held by February of the following year.
He also addressed the Rohingya crisis, stating that his government is strengthening labor rights and enacting laws related to forcibly disappeared persons. He also appealed for the safety of migrant workers. Regarding the Rohingya crisis, Yunus warned that the violence in Myanmar threatens the entire region. He demanded equal rights for the Rohingya and called for international pressure on Myanmar.
Yunus expressed sorrow over the deaths in Gaza, describing the deaths of children and the destruction of hospitals as a living genocide. He demanded a two-state solution that includes an independent Palestine with East Jerusalem as its capital.