Bangladesh
Prothom Alo journo offered a child Tk 10 and expressed his views in the minor’s name: Foreign Ministry
The government of Bangladesh has said as a party to the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child it would not tolerate any act of abusing children, noting that Prothom Alo journalist Shamsuzzaman Shams was arrested because of “child abuse and exploitation”.
"The government would also not accept any such effort aimed at maligning the Independence Day of the nation," the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said today (April 01, 2023).
The government of Bangladesh is committed to uphold the freedom of expression for all its citizens and the media, the foreign ministry said.
Read More: Prothom Alo journalist Shams denied bail, sent to jail
However, it said, creating social unrest by undertaking such “fraudulent acts” is contrary to the spirit of honest journalism.
The ministry said it has been brought to the notice of the government that some international media and institutions are claiming that a journalist in Bangladesh, named Shamsuzzaman, has been arrested as he wrote about the “cost of living in Bangladesh”.
"This information is totally false and fabricated. This journalist was arrested because of ‘child abuse’ and ‘child exploitation," the foreign ministry said.
Many media outlets have been continuously reporting on the cost of living in Bangladesh since the beginning of the Ukraine war which has caused inflation around the world.
Read More: Prothom Alo journalist Shams taken to court
"No one has been arrested due to such reporting. The said journalist was arrested because of child abuse and child exploitation, as he offered ten taka to a 9-year-old boy and then expressed his own views in the name of that child," the ministry said.
"That is surely an act of child abuse and exploitation. Secondly, he tried to undermine the independence of Bangladesh on the great Independence Day. These acts are surely tantamount to punishable crimes," the foreign ministry said.
Read More: Prothom Alo reporter Shamsuzzaman sued under DSA
DU BCL leaders, activists demand arrest of Motiur Rahman; block Shahabagh
Leaders and activists Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL) of different hall units of Dhaka University demanded arrest of Prothom Alo editor Motiur Rahman blocking Shahbagh intersection for about two hours on Saturday.
The BCL men under the banner of 'general students' blocked the area around 10.20 am and continued till 12.30 pm.
Jaman Sami, a student of 2017-18 academic session of Law department also organisational secretary of Sir AF Rahman hall Chhatra League, said, " Today we came here to protest yellow journalism practiced by Prothom Alo. Motiur Rahman, the editor of the daily, has been accused of child exploitation, killing a student of Dhaka Residential Model College and so more."
Also read: Prothom Alo Editor Matiur Rahman sued under Digital Security Act
“We, the conscious students of Dhaka University, are protesting this heinous activities of Prothom Alo. For doing such heinous acts, Motiur Rahman have to be arrested soon," he added.
On March 26, Prothom Alo published a ‘ graphic card’ with a photograph and a quotation of a day labourer Zakir Hossain for sharing a news report on Facebook. However, the national daily later removed the post from online due to a discrepancy regarding the photo that was used with the news.Later, the report was republished with necessary amendments and a note below the report regarding the correction.Later, Shamsuzzaman Shams, the paper’s Savar correspondent, who wrote the report was sued in a separate case under the DSA on Wednesday afternoon, around 10 hours after being picked up from his house near Jahangirnagar University by members of the Criminal Investigation Department of police.Editor of the country’s leading daily Motiur Rahman was also sued under the Digital Security Act.
US State Department ‘deeply concerned over use of Digital Security Act’
The United States’ Department of State has expressed concerns over the Bangladesh government’s use of the Digital Security Act (DSA).
"We remain deeply concerned about the [Bangladeshi] government's use of the Digital Security Act. And freedom of expression, including for members of the press, is an essential element of democracy and is especially important in an election year. No members of the press should be threatened, harassed, physically attacked, or arrested for simply doing their job,” said Vedant Patel, principal deputy spokesperson for the US Department of State on March 30.
This was posted on the verified Facebook page of the US Embassy in Dhaka today.
On March 29, Criminal Investigation Department (CID) men in plainclothes picked up Prothom Alo reporter Shamsuzzaman Shams from his residence in Ambagan area, adjacent to Jahangirnagar University, around 4:30 am.
Also read: Prothom Alo journalist Shams denied bail, sent to jail
The same day, a Jubo League leader filed a case under the Digital Security Act against Shams, accusing him of publishing a "false and fabricated report" in the daily Prothom Alo.
A Dhaka court on Thursday (March 30, 2023) sent Prothom Alo reporter Shamsuzzaman Shams to jail in a case filed under the Digital Security Act after rejecting his bail petition.
Private university student dies in Dhaka road crash
A private university student was killed as a covered van hit the motorbike carrying her on Gabtali-Sadarghat road in the capital’s Beribadh area on Friday night.
The deceased, Sanjida Akter Tamanna, 27, a honours final student of North South University, was a pillion rider of the motorbike. She hailed from Noakhali’s Sonaimuri upazila and used to live with her family in the capital’s Kamrangichar.
Akter Hossain, sub inspector of Lalbagh police station, said the accident occurred around 10:00 pm when the speeding covered van crashed into the motorbike in front of one Shamim Garment on the road, leaving her critically injured.
She was first taken to a local hospital and later shifted to Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH) around 1:00am when her condition deteriorated, he said.
The physicians at the emergency department of the hospital declared her dead upon arrival, the SI said, adding that the body was kept at the morgue for autopsy.
Honey collection begins in Sundarbans
The season to collect honey from the Sundarbans began on Saturday.
The honey season was formally inaugurated at noon by collecting honey in Satkhira range area of the west Sundarbans.
Honey collectors were given permit (pass) after training on the premises of the Government Primary School adjacent to the Burigoalini Forest Office of the West Forest Division. With the pass, the honey collectors will go to the deep forest to collect honey.
The patrolling of the Forest Department has been strengthened to collect honey in the Sundarbans without any hindrance and the collectors were advised to move carefully to protect themselves from the attack of wild animals, said Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) of Sundarbans West Division Abu Naser Mohsin Hossain.
A target has been set to collect 3,000 quintals of honey and 800 quintals of wax in the Sundarbans this year, he said.
Most of the honey is found in the Satkhira range of the Sundarbans.
According to the Forest Department, 1,012 permits were issued for the collection of honey and wax in 2021. Against the permits, 6,797 honey collectors went to the Sundarbans and collected 3,376.90 tonnes of honey and 113.09 tonnes of wax. Tk 25,64,363 revenue was earned from honey and Tk 10,25,850 from wax.
In 2022, the revenue from honey was Tk 36,93,600 and from wax it was Tk 15,31,200. That year, 2,320 quintals of honey and 696 quintals of wax were found in the Sundarbans.
Two stabbed to death in separate incidents in Jashore
Two persons were stabbed to death in separate incidents in Jashore on Friday.
Yunus (22) was stabbed to death, allegedly by his younger brother, at Ghurulia village in Jashore Sadar upazila around 9 pm last night. Meanwhile, a teenager named Nahid Hasan (17) was stabbed to death by members of a youth gang in Barandi Nathpara of Jashore city, said Jashore Police’s spokesman OC DB Rupan Kumar Sarker.
"Initially, it was learned that the elder brother (Yunus) was stabbed to death by his younger brother Yusuf in Ghurulia over a family dispute,” said the OC.
On the other hand, Nahid Hasan was murdered in Barandi Nathpara of Jashore city over a dispute with a youth gang, the DB official also said.
Nahid used to work with his elder brother at a motorparts shop on RN Road in the city. At around 9:45 pm yesterday, he was chatting with an acquaintance in the Barandi Nathpara area. At the time, they had a dispute with a juvenile gang, according to locals.
During the dispute, the youth gang members stabbed Nahid and his friend and fled the scene, they said.
Later, locals rescued them and took them to Jashore 250-bed General Hospital where the on-duty doctor declared Nahid dead.
The bodies of the two deceased have been sent to the hospital morgue for autopsy. Police have launched a manhunt to investigate the incidents and arrest those involved, said OC Rupan.
Bangladesh seeks urgent action for protection of climate migrants
The recently adopted UN General Assembly Resolution, requesting for an advisory opinion of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) on obligations of states in respect to climate change, recognizes the link between climate change and displacement of affected persons.
Bangladesh’s Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen said this while speaking at a panel discussion organized by IOM during its 2023 International Dialogue on Migration held at the United Nations Headquarters.
Referring to the extreme vulnerability of Bangladesh to climate change, Foreign Secretary Momen shared the various initiatives undertaken by the government of Bangladesh in addressing the impact of climate change including the 8th Five Year Plan incorporating action point to address the environment, climate change adaptation and mitigation; establishment of a Climate Change Trust Fund; and launching of ‘Mujib Climate Prosperity Plan’.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has also undertaken the biggest housing project for climate migrants in Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh, the “Khurushkul Special Ashrayan Project”, he further added.
Expressing concern over the inadequate action of the international community on the protection of persons displaced by climate change and associated disaster, he urged to scale up global actions including climate financing.
Read more: Bangladesh urges global solidarity to address gaps in migrants’ human rights
US Congress introduces resolution commending Bangladesh, its socioeconomic progress
On the occasion of Bangladesh’s 52nd anniversary of independence, the United States Congress introduced a resolution on March 29 — recognizing and commending Bangladesh and its remarkable socioeconomic progress under the leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
Republican Congressman Joe Wilson of South Carolina introduced the resolution at the Congress as the co-chair of the Congressional Bangladesh Caucus.
Joe Wilson Sr. (born July 31, 1947) has been serving as the US representative for South Carolina's 2nd congressional district since 2001.
He earlier served as the South Carolina state senator from the 23rd district from 1985 to 2001.
Read more: Declare Pakistan army action in 1971 ‘Genocide’: US congressmen introduce resolution
While placing the resolution, Congressman Wilson recalled that 51 years ago on April 4, 1972, the United States recognized Bangladesh's independence from Pakistan.
During the nine-month-long Bangladesh Liberation War, members of the Pakistan Armed Forces and pro-Pakistani militias killed hundreds of thousands of people and injured many more, the resolution said.
The war for independence was a struggle for democracy and freedom led by Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, it noted.
It said Bangladesh has made enormous strides in the last five decades from one of the poorest nations to having one of the fastest-growing economies in the world, with the GDP per capita increasing to $2,457 in 2021 according to the World Bank which now exceeds that of its regional neighbors.
Read More: Japan is a true friend , trusted partner of Bangladesh since independence: Envoy
The resolution mentioned since its independence in 1971, Bangladesh's economy has grown from $9 billion to $450 billion, life expectancy has risen from 47 years to 73 years, and the adult literacy rate has risen to more than 75 percent.
Bangladesh, under the leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, has made substantial socioeconomic progress in food production, disaster resilience, poverty reduction, improved health, education, and women's empowerment, it noted.
The resolution said Bangladesh has successfully maintained a moderate Muslim society and curbed extremism in the country, and its people have sought to maintain support for democracy and rule of law rather than descending into authoritarian rule.
The resolution said the United States and Bangladesh have extensive cooperation on matters of regional and global security, counter terrorism, and climate change.
Read More: India would help restore democracy as it helped gain independence: Fakhrul
The US is the largest export market for Bangladesh and one of the largest sources of foreign direct investment, it said, adding the nation of Bangladesh has also contributed to the US economy through bilateral trade and international security cooperation in return.
The resolution said the American people appreciate the generous and indispensable role that Bangladesh performs in accepting and sheltering more than 1 million Rohingya people from a genocide perpetrated by its neighbor, Myanmar. The United States has contributed the largest amount of humanitarian aid to address this crisis, totaling more than $2 billion.
It said the American people welcome that Bangladesh is one of the world's largest contributors to United Nations’ peacekeeping efforts globally. Both countries seek to enhance their people-to people and government-to-government relationship for shared prosperity.
The resolution mentioned that Bangladesh has expressed gratitude to the United States for contributing more than 100 million doses of COVID-19 vaccine to the people of Bangladesh.
Read More: Sultana Jesmin’s death in RAB custody won’t impact Bangladesh-US relations: Momen
The resolution said the American people recognize and commend the nation and people of Bangladesh as they celebrate five decades of independence. The United States extends its sincere determination to remain a constructive partner of Bangladesh in achieving mutual economic, social and national security objectives now and into the future, the resolution concluded.
Information Minister questions countries’ lack of concern when BBC office in India was searched
Those who spread confusion and misinformation do not like that Bangladesh is prospering, according to Information and Broadcasting Minister Hasan Mahmud.
He made the remark during an exchange of views with journalists on current issues at his residence in Chattogram city on Friday (March 31, 2023) afternoon.
Hasan, also Joint General Secretary of Awami League, said that as the country continues to progress, the prosperity and wealth of every citizen also increases.
He alleged some newspapers intentionally publish negative news: “Many individuals do not like the economic prosperity of Bangladesh under the leadership of Sheikh Hasina. Therefore, some newspapers intentionally publish negative reports, while identified foreign individuals spread misinformation against Bangladesh."
Read More: BBC film on India's PM Modi, 2002 riots draws government ire
Despite these efforts, Bangladesh remains indomitable, he said.
The information minister also criticized 12 countries, including the USA, that issued a statement on the arrest of Prothom Alo journalist Shamsuzzaman Shams, stating that it was tantamount to “interference in the country's internal affairs.”
He highlighted the contrast between the response to this incident in Bangladesh and the “lack of concern” expressed by countries when the BBC office in India was searched.
He reminded diplomats of the Vienna Convention that sets the rules and limits on their conduct while stationed abroad and asserted that the government would continue to ensure freedom of media.
Read More: Indian officials search BBC offices for second straight day
Mahmud also criticized the opposition party for going to foreign diplomats and requesting “intervention” instead of engaging with the people of the country. He stated that it was "anti-national and involved a conspiracy against the country" to meddle in internal affairs.
Hasan Mahmud referred to a recent report by Bloomberg, a renowned US media organization, that praised the economic prosperity achieved under the leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and the ability to maintain economic stability even during the COVID-19 pandemic and global recession.
According to the report, there is a possibility of Sheikh Hasina winning the next election and serving a fourth term as prime minister.
Mahmud also shared statistics demonstrating Bangladesh's economic growth and stability under the current government.
Read More: Indian officials probe BBC for 3rd day, alleging tax dodge
He stated that the percentage of people living below the poverty line stands at 16% despite the COVID-19 pandemic and global recession.
Additionally, Bangladesh's per capita income has surpassed that of India during the pandemic, and the country has risen from the 60th to the 35th largest economy in the world in terms of GDP, he added.
The Acting President of Chattogram Metropolitan Awami League, Mahatab Uddin Chowdhury, former Mayor AJM Nasir Uddin, North District President MA Salam, South District Acting President Motaherul Islam, and other party leaders were present at the event.
read More: Tax officials search BBC's Delhi offices weeks after Modi documentary
DUTA condemns 'newspaper' for conspiring against country
Without mentioning Prothom Alo, Dhaka University Teachers Association (DUTA) has waded into the controversy raging over the Independence Day content on the vernacular's website reported by its Savar correspondent and taken down after just 17 minutes of its own accord.
DUTA today issued a notification signed by DUTA president Prof. Zinat Huda and general secretary Prof. Nizamul Houque Bhuiyan asking the government to take action against the "newspaper conspiring against the country."
“Instead of the caption under the picture of a child, the report published the statement of a day laborer, which derided the freedom of the country. Also, although the caption reveals the comment as a day laborer's statement, no adult man is seen in the picture. According to an investigative report published in another media, the picture was taken by luring a child taking advantage of his poverty,” the notification reads.
"When the government took legal measures in this regard, some circles including some international media are saying that the government is oppressive. But the reality is that the measures have been taken for using a child as a news material by providing incentives with dishonest purposes,” it says.