Bangladesh
Tourism emerging as vital to Bangladesh-Malaysia relations
Malaysian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Haznah Md. Hashim has said the tourism sector has emerged as a vital component of bilateral relations between Bangladesh and Malaysia.
"This is acting as a bridge to bring our people closer and allowing us to experience the unique beauty and diversity each nation has to offer," she said while speaking at a B2B networking dinner on Sunday at a Dhaka hotel.
Marking the "Roadshow to Bangladesh", the High Commissioner said Malaysia registered more than 10 million tourists’ arrivals in 2022.
"This shows that Malaysia is on track to gain back 26 million tourists’ arrivals. Out of 10 million tourists in 2022, about 59,000 were originated from Bangladesh," she said.
With respect to Bangladeshi tourists, leisure tourism plays a significant role in attracting them to Malaysia.
The High Commissioner said Malaysia, Truly Asia, offers the Bangladeshi travellers a perfect blend of natural landscapes, vibrant cities, and rich cultural heritage – which is a multitude of experiences for every traveller.
Conference to recognise 1971 war as Genocide held at DU
Amra Ekattor, an organisation based on the sprit of liberation war, organized an international conference for first time of this type on Bangladesh Genocide Recognition.
The conference was arranged to draw the attraction of the international community to have the 1971 war recognised as genocide.
The conference was organised at Abdul Matin Chowdhury virtual classroom of Dhaka University at 11 am today.
An international team of genocide specialists comprising of Harry van Bommel, former Member of Parliament of Netherlands, Dr. Anthonie Holslag, teacher at the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Chris Blackburn, Communications Director of the Swiss Inter strategy Group, and representatives of EBF from the United Kingdom joined the program.
From Bangladeshi side, Helal Foyeji, Shahriar Kabir, DU vice Chancellor prof Mohammad Akhtaruzzaman, chairperson of the Aamra Ekattor organisation Mahbub Jaman and other freedom fighters and activists were present in the conference.
Harun Habib, one of the sector commanders of liberation war of Bangladesh, said, "During the war Pakistani military committed crimes like mas killing, genocide, ethnic cleansing, raping Bangladeshi girls. These crimes must be addressed and globally recognised as genocide. It is not a political claim or movement. It is a matter of human rights."
"By raping our women and girls during the war, they wanted to change our nationalism, and religions. It's a crime against the Bangladeshi Nation," he added.
In this regard, Ansar Ahmed, co-president of european Bangladesh forum and a community leader, said, "today we came here to consolidate with the movement of gaining global recognition of the incident of 1971 as a genocide which was committed by Pakistani military. Already four United States (US) based organisations have already recognised the incident as genocide. It is a hope for us."
"To have global recognition, we need to make our profile clear about our movement and to clarify our profile, we have to produce more research based publications about the 1971 war. It is the easy and best way to have global recognition of the incident of 1971. However, already some institutes like Center for Genocide Studies (CGS) have started working in this field," he added.
Professor Hafizur Rahman Carzon, director of center for genocide studies, said, " millions of people were massacred by pak army during 1971 genocide. Again pak military intentionally and with preplanning destroyed ethnic minorities and religious minority people especially the people of hindu community. According to statistics we have, Pakistani military killed 10 thousands to 1 lakh people on 25th of March in 1971 after they started Operation Searchlight."
"International community did not pay much attention to this incident as a result we do not have any international recognition till now in spite of passing 52 years of the war. But we are working to have the recognition. Our young researchers are working and doing great jobs. They are bringing incredible information to light which will help us to gain global recognition," he added.
Harry van Bommel, head of the foreign delegation team to the program, said, "Genocide is a part of global history. To make the real history known to the people the incident shall must be recognised globally.
"To have global recognition of this type of incident, it requires much political involvement. For this reason politicians have to come forward and work in this field."
"However, in the Netherlands, I'm working with Bangladeshi people to have an international acknowledgement of the war of 1971. It is a Humanitarian call. As far as I remember, 500 Bangladeshi children were adopted by Dutch families after the war ended in 1971. They do not have any recognition and identity of their own. So, human rights organisations have also a ground to work for attaining global recognition of independent war as a genocide."
"However, as it has much relation with politics, it may take time but it will be recognised as we know that the Armenian genocide was recognised much later from the time it took place,"
"Dhaka University is the place where the genocide was started in 1971, let Dhaka University the first place to recognise it," he concluded.
Thanking all the people demanding the international recognition of the 1971 war as genocide, DU Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr. Md. Akhtaruzzaman said, "In 1971, Dhaka University was the center of genocide. No other university in the history of the world has witnessed such a brutal massacre. Some people of this country also collaborated in this massacre."
At the end of the program, Mahbub Jaman, chairperson of Aamra Ekattor, gave framed pictorial posters of 1971 war as gifts and mementoes.
Sagar-Runi murder case: Submission of probe report deferred for 98th time
A Dhaka court on Monday fixed June 22 for submission of the probe report in the murder case of journalist couple Sagar Sarowar and Meherun Runi.
With this, the deadline for submission of the probe report in the case was deferred for the 98th time.
Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) was supposed to submit the report today but as it failed to submit the report Dhaka Metropolitan Magistrate Rashidul Alam fixed the new date for submitting it.
Read more: Sagar-Runi murder case: Submission of probe report deferred for 97th time
On March 2, 2021, RAB submitted a progress report in the Sagar-Runi murder case in affidavit form to the Attorney General’s Office.
According to the report, two unidentified people were involved in the murder.
Maasranga Television News Editor Sagar Sarowar and his wife ATN Bangla senior reporter Meherun Runi were found dead at their rented apartment in the city’s West Rajabazar area on 11 February 2012.
Nousher Ali Roman, brother of Runi, filed a case with Sher-e-Banglanagar Police Station on the following day.
Police arrested Tanvir Rahman in connection with the murder case on October 1, 2012. Later, he secured bail in 2014.
Read more: Probe report deferral nears century in Sagar-Runi murder case
Law enforcers have so far arrested eight people, including Tanvir, in connection with the murder case.
The seven other suspects are Rafiqul Islam, Bakul Mia, Abu Syed, Mintu alias Baggira Mintu alias Masum Mintu, Quamrul Hasan alias Arun, security guard Enam Ahmed alias Humayun Kabir and Palash Rudra Pal.
Court grants bail to singer Noble in fraud case
A Dhaka court on Monday granted bail to singer Mainul Ahsan Noble in a fraud case filed with Motijheel Police Station.
Dhaka Metropolitan Magistrate Shafi Uddin passed the order till the submission of a chargesheet on bond of Tk 5,000.
Earlier in the day, DB inspector also the investigating officer of the case Humayun Kabir produced him before the court after completion of his one-day remand in the case.
Advocate Abdullah Al Mamun stood for Noble.
Md Safayet Islam filed a case on May 16 on behalf of Shariatpur’s Vedorganj Headquarter Pilot High School’s HSC 16th batch.
Later, a court granted one-day remand to Noble on May 20.
Also read: Airhostess, musicians blamed for Noble’s drug addiction
According to the case details, Noble received TK 1.72 lakh for performing at the high school’s reunion programme but he didn’t perform at the event organised for April 28 and he did not even return the money.
Earlier, his ex-wife Salsable Mahmud complained to the police and wrote on social media about the constant physical and emotional abuse of Noble, citing that he is an avid drug addict and his demeanour got drastically changed in recent years due to his addiction.
Noble won the 2nd runner-up position in the popular Indian TV reality show Sa Re Ga Ma Pa’s West Bengal edition on Zee Bangla in 2019 and received the "Viewer's Choice" award, winning hearts in both countries.
However, his addiction led him to several miserable acts one after another, degrading his popularity among his audiences.
JS body recommends transparency in procurement and recruitment process in ministries
A parliamentary watchdog on Fisheries and Livestock Ministry recommended being more careful to ensure proper and transparent in the procurement and recruitment process of different department to prevent corruption in the ministry as well as improving the quality of many development works of Mirpur zoo and Bangladesh Livestock Research Institute (BLRI) in Savar.
The recommendation came from the 19th meeting of the committee on Monday with its chairman Dhirendra Debnath Sambhu in the chair.
The meeting also suggested protecting the rights of marginal fisheries workers during the ban on catching and transporting fish.
It also sought help from the authorities concerned to avoid irregularities and create a corruption free environment in the ministries and departments.
The meeting also held an elaborate discussion on proposed Zoo Bill-2023 and the quality of the work of BLRI.
Committee members, Fisheries and Livestock Minister SM Rezaul Karim, Md Shahidul Islam, Choto Monir, Nazma Akhter, Shamima Akter and high official concerned authority of the ministry were present there.
Rajshahi BNP leader sued for making ‘death threat’ to PM
A case has been filed with Puthia Police Station against Rajshahi district BNP Convener Abu Sayeed Chand for making a “death threat” to Prime Minister and AL President Sheikh Hasina.
Local Awami League leader Abul Kalam Azad filed the case on Sunday night.
Deputy Inspector General of Police (Rajshahi Range) Abdul Baten said that a case has been filed with Puthia Police Station under the Anti-Terrorism Act. Police are conducting raids to arrest the accused Abu Sayeed Chand.
Earlier on Friday afternoon, Abu Sayeed Chand threatened the prime minister at a public rally of metropolitan and district BNP at Shibpur High School ground in Puthia Upazila of Rajshahi as part of the central program.
"No more 27- or 10-point demand, just one point now – send Sheikh Hasina to the grave! We will do whatever is necessary to get Sheikh Hasina to resign,” he said.
Meanwhile, a video of the threat went viral on social media, triggering a storm of protests among Awami League leaders and supporters.
Bangladesh keen to increase its readymade garments exports to Canada: BGMEA chief
A delegation of the Canada-Bangladesh Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CBCCI) led by its Executive Vice President Areef Rahman met with BGMEA President Faruque Hassan to discuss potential collaboration in boosting RMG exports to Canada.
During the meeting, they discussed prospects of Bangladesh’s RMG exports in the Canadian market and how Bangladeshi exporters could explore more business opportunities through participation in the trade fair titled "CBCCI Trade Expo 2023" which will be organized by CBCCI in Toronto from 17 to 19 November 2023.
Farzana Ali, Country Director of CBCCI in Bangladesh, and Bangladeshi film actor Ferdous Ahmed, who is promoting the trade fair as its Brand Ambassador, were also present at the meeting held at BGMEA Complex in Uttara, Dhaka on May 22
BGMEA President Faruque Hassan said Bangladesh was keen to increase its readymade garments exports to Canada, especially with high-value products like jacket, outerwear, technical textile items, and lingerie.
He also said BGMEA had been supporting garment exporters in expanding their business in the existing markets like Canada and exploring new emerging markets as well, he said.
“BGMEA provides support to its member garment factories in participating in international trade fairs so that they could build relationship new buyers and demonstrate the capabilities of Bangladesh’s apparel industry, especially in manufacturing more complex and high-value items,” he added.
Faruque Hassan thanked CBCCI for organizing the trade fair, saying the trade fair would provide an opportunity to strengthening business ties with potential Canadian buyers and ramp up RMG exports.
He laid emphasis on intensifying the focus on the Canadian market to make optimum use of the duty-free market access to Canada.
He assured CBCCI of BGMEA’s all-out cooperation in promoting participation of BGMEA member factories in the trade fair.
Monzurul Huq joins UNB as Tokyo Correspondent
Retired Professor, Columnist, and Former President of the Foreign Correspondents Club of Japan (FCCJ) Monzurul Huq has been appointed as UNB's senior correspondent in Tokyo.Huq reported from the frontlines of the 1971 war of independence as an 18-year-old, for an independently produced newsletter. He then went on to study journalism at Moscow State University.In 1990, the BBC offered Huq a full-time position in London, working with their Bengali language service on its World Service radio network, spending four and a half years there.He then moved to Tokyo, working with the Japanese state broadcaster NHK on its Bengali language radio broadcasts. He also worked as Tokyo correspondent for Prothom Alo and the Daily Star, and has a regular column in the Dhaka Courier.Huq recently brought a book of memoirs on the 1971 Liberation War, A Story of My Time.
Govt announces zero tolerance against wildlife crimes: Environment Minister
Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister Md. Shahab Uddin on Monday said that the government announced zero tolerance policy against wildlife related crimes.
“Wildlife Crime Control Unit is working diligently to create public awareness for the purpose of wildlife conservation in different parts of the country by stopping illegal wildlife trade, hunting/killing, and trafficking. Every department and unit at the field level is carrying out regular patrol activities to eliminate illegal extraction of forest resources,” he said.
The Minister said this while delivery his speech at a discussion programme organized at the Forest Department on the occasion of International Biodiversity Day-2023 on the theme of 'From Agreement to Action: Build Back Biodiversity'.
Shahab Uddin said that the government has already signed the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity to conserve biodiversity. "Bangladesh Biodiversity Act-2017" has been enacted to ensure the conservation of biodiversity and sustainable use of its components.
“25 wildlife sanctuaries, 20 national parks, 2 special biodiversity conservation areas, 2 marine protected areas, 1 botanical garden, 3 Eco parks and 2 vulture safe areas have already been declared in different regions of the country for biodiversity conservation, free roaming and breeding of wildlife,” he added.
Mentioning that the government declared 1.73 lakh hectares of swatch of no ground in the Bay of Bengal and 1,743 square kilometers adjacent to Saint Martin Island as Marine Protected Area, the minister said adding “Ratargul, a swamp forest in Sylhet region, and Altadighi in Naogaon have been declared as special biodiversity conservation areas. There are also 2 Ramsar sites and 6 flyway sites in the country.”
Environment, Forest and Climate Change Ministry Deputy Minister Habibun Nahar, President of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on the Ministry Saber Hossain Chowdhury, secretary to the ministry Farhina Ahmed, additional secretary Iqbal Abdullah Harun and Director General of the Department of Environment Dr. Abdul Hamid were present as the special guests in the discussion programme among others.
The meeting was presided over by Md. Amir Hossain Chowdhury, Chief Conservator of Forest Department.
Earlier, a colorful procession was brought out from Shahbagh of the capital to TSC of Dhaka University with the participation of people from various professions.
PM’s 2nd visit to Qatar in 3 months bears sign of Bangladesh's visible presence in int’l arena: Momen
Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen on Monday (May 22, 2023) said the two-time visits by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to Qatar within three months this year bear the sign of Bangladesh's visible presence in the international economic arena as well as its close friendly relations with Qatar.
He made the remarks at a media briefing at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs hours ahead of the Prime Minister’s departure for Doha to attend Qatar Economic Forum-2023. Ministry of Foreign Affairs Spokesperson Seheli Sabrin, among others, was present.
This forum will focus on nine important contemporary issues, Dr Momen said.
These issues include energy security; technology and innovation; changing market systems; innovation in the health sector; climate finance; trade strategies and arrangements; manpower in the fourth industrial revolution; sports in the digital world; and the future of foreign investment, he said.
Read more: ‘Very strange, no source mentioned’: Momen on report claiming new sanctions are coming
According to the organizers, prominent economists and leading business leaders of the world will participate in the discussion on these issues.
In addition to Minister Momen, Advisor to the Prime Minister on Private Industry and Investment; State Minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources along with senior government officials will participate.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina left Dhaka for Doha on Monday afternoon on a three-day official visit to attend the Qatar Economic Forum 2023 at the invitation of Emir of Qatar Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani.
A VVIP flight of Biman Bangladesh Airline, carrying the premier and her entourage, departed Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport at 3:13 pm.
Read more: Qatar Economic Forum 2023: PM to leave for Doha this afternoon
The flight is scheduled to land at Hamad International Airport at 6:00pm local time (9:00pm Bangladesh Time).
The Prime Minister will attend the Forum titled “3rd Qatar Economic Forum: A New Global Growth Story” to be held on May 23-25.
The Qatar Economic Forum is the Middle East's leading voice dedicated to global business and investment.
The main objective of this forum is to find a solution by increasing mutual cooperation among the international community to deal with the multi-faceted challenges and crises going on globally and the adverse economic consequences arising from them.
Read more: PM Hasina to leave for Doha on Monday to attend Qatar Economic Forum 2023
On May 23, Hasina will join the opening session of the 3rd Qatar Economic Forum, address the students of Qatar University in Doha, and hold meetings separately with Qatar Minister of State for Energy Affairs Saad bin Sherida Al Kaabi and Minister of Investment of Saudi Arabia Khalid A. Al-Falih.
On May 24, the PM will join the forum, have a meeting with the emir of Qatar at Amiri Diwan and visit Awsaj Academy (a specialized school).
PM Hasina is expected to return home in the morning of May 25.
Read more: PM Hasina likely to attend Qatar Economic Forum May 23-25