Saudi Arabia’s new Permanent Representative to the OIC has said an expected positive verdict by the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in the Rohingya genocide case could set a historic precedent in international human rights law.

The envoy, Ambassador Khalid Bin Ismaeel Bin Badawi Bin Hussain Al Sharif, made the remarks during a meeting with Bangladesh’s Permanent Representative to the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Ambassador MJH Jabed in Jedha today, according to a message received here. 

The two diplomats discussed the upcoming 52nd Council of Foreign Ministers meeting to be held in Baghdad, along with issues of mutual concern within the OIC framework.

During the meeting, Saudi envoy also assured Bangladesh of Saudi Arabia’s continued support for the repatriation of the Rohingyas to Myanmar.

The Saudi ambassador said an International Court of Justice verdict fixing responsibility for committing genocide would carry wider significance beyond the Rohingya crisis by strengthening accountability under international human rights law.

Ambassador Jabed expressed Bangladesh’s full solidarity with Saudi Arabia in the wake of recent Houthi attacks on civilian infrastructure that caused loss of lives, including those of two Bangladeshi nationals.

The Saudi envoy deeply appreciated the government and people of Bangladesh for standing beside the Kingdom at a time when it was facing attacks which, he said, breached international law.

The two sides also agreed to pursue a coordinated approach at different OIC forums on key areas including trade and finance, agriculture, healthcare, science and technology.

They underscored the importance of continued Bangladesh-Saudi cooperation on Rohingya repatriation and other issues of common interest within the OIC.