Bangladesh
Farmer electrocuted to death in Natore
A 50-year-old farmer was electrocuted to death in an electric mouse trap laid by his brother on their paddy field in Natore’s Sadar upazila on Wednesday morning, police said.
The deceased was identified as Nazrul Islam, a resident of Kalikapur Amhati village in the upazila.
Sub-inspector of Natore police station Shafqul Islam said that Nazrul mistakenly stepped on the live wire of the mouse trap set up by his elder brother Anowar on Tuesday night.
Read: Woman run over by train in Kushtia
"The tragedy occurred when the victim was on his way to the paddy field on Wednesday morning. He was rushed to a nearby hospital where doctors declared him dead on arrival," the police official said.
However, no case has been filed in this regard, the SI said.
Khulna: 10 suspected militants remanded in police custody for 5 days
A local court in Khulna on Tuesday remanded 10 suspected militants in police custody for five days.
Though investigators sought a week's remand, chief metropolitan magistrate gave the police five days for the custodial interrogation of the accused.
The accused are Anwar Kabir Milon alias Middat Hossain, Sohail Rana, Aminul, Kamrul Islam, Rifat Rahman, Abdur Rauf, Md Sheikh Farid, Abdul Alim, Md Rafiqul Islam and Talha Islam.
Read: Court accepts charges against expelled Jubo League leader Samrat
Earlier on March 18, Rapid Action Battalion (Rab) raided an under-construction house belonging to a person named Alam Sheikh off BIDC Road in Khulna’s Khalishpur and arrested them, said Nimai Chandra, the investigating officer in the case.
Later, the 10 were booked under the Anti-Terrorism Act, he added.
Global Covid cases near 474 million
The overall number of Covid cases is rapidly approaching 474 million as the pandemic enters into its third year.
According to Johns Hopkins University (JHU), the total case count mounted to 473,942,775 while the death toll from the virus reached 6,098,277 Wednesday morning.
The US has recorded 79,803,443 cases so far and 973,213 people have died from the virus in the country, the university data shows.
Read: Long COVID hits children far less than adults: study
India's Covid-19 tally rose to 43,010,971 on Tuesday with 1,581 new cases registered in 24 hours across the country, showed the federal health ministry's latest data.
Besides, as many as 33 deaths due to the pandemic since Monday morning took the total death toll to 516,574.
Meanwhile, Brazil, which has been experiencing a new wave of cases since January last year, registered 29,691,641 cases as of Wednesday, while its Covid death toll rose to 658,005.
Situation in Bangladesh
Myanmar denies genocide, again describes Rohingyas as 'Bengali community'
Myanmar has again refused to accept the Rohingyas as an ethnicity, describing them as "Bengali Community" while responding to the latest US decision which announced that the Myanmar military is responsible for committing genocide against the Rohingya people in Rakhine State.
"As such Myanmar has never engaged in any genocidal actions and does not have any genocidal intent to destroy, in whole or in part, a national, racial or religious group or any other group," said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Myanmar in a press release in which Myanmar described the Rohingyas as "Bengali Community."
The Myanmar Ministry reiterated that Myanmar as a party to the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide and the Statute of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) under the Charter of the United Nations is fully committed to respecting all the existing obligations.
"The narratives mentioned in the speech of the Secretary of State are found to be far from realities and references made were also from unreliable and unverifiable sources as well as sweeping allegations," reads the media release which was shared on its verified page.
READ: US announcement on Rohingya Genocide: Dhaka hopes it helps repatriation
Myanmar strongly objected and categorically rejected the remarks made by the Secretary of State of the United States of America as the contents and narratives therein are politically motivated and tantamount to interference in the internal affairs of a sovereign State.
Matthew Smith, chief executive officer at Fortify Rights, termed US Secretary of State Antony Blinken's announcement "historic" for the Rohingya and all people of Myanmar and also for wider efforts to prevent and remedy genocide.
"To prevent genocide, governments must at least acknowledge it when it happens, which is precisely what the US government did today
United Nations member states should publicly acknowledge the Rohingya genocide in Myanmar and ensure that the UN Security Council refers the situation to the International Criminal Court (ICC), said Fortify Rights Monday.
"It is a signalling and remarkable milestone for Rohingya victims and survivors that the US has formally determined that the violence committed against Rohingya by the Myanmar military amounts to genocide and crimes against humanity," said Zaw Win, human rights specialist at Fortify Rights.
"It has been a long-term expectation for the Rohingya community. Declaring that what happened to the Rohingya is in fact genocide should spur international accountability efforts and make it more difficult for the Myanmar military to continue its atrocity crimes."
In November 2019, the Gambia filed a case against Myanmar at the International Court of Justice in The Hague, the UN's highest court, for failing to prevent or punish genocide against Rohingya Muslims. The case is ongoing.
In September 2018, the ICC granted the chief prosecutor jurisdiction to investigate and possibly prosecute the crime against humanity of forced deportation of Rohingyas to Bangladesh, as well as persecution and other inhumane acts.
Last month, Chief Prosecutor Karim Khan concluded his first visit to Bangladesh as part of the ongoing investigation.
While the ICC is investigating forced deportation, it is not yet investigating the crime of genocide against Rohingya.
And the intergovernmental organisation has not yet accepted the National Unity Government of Myanmar's declaration delegating jurisdiction of the court.
The UN Security Council members should immediately put forward a resolution to refer the situation in Myanmar to the ICC, said Fortify Rights.
The UN members should also acknowledge the legitimacy of the National Unity Government of Myanmar and get fully behind its efforts to delegate jurisdiction to the court.
"Secretary Blinken's announcement is historic for the Rohingya and all people of Myanmar and also for wider efforts to prevent and remedy genocide," said Matthew Smith, chief executive officer at Fortify Rights.
"To prevent genocide, governments must at least acknowledge it when it happens, which is precisely what the US government did today."
EU, Bangladesh remain in 'constant dialogue' over HR issues
European Commission High Representative Josep Borrell Fontelles has said the European Union (EU) remains in constant dialogue with Bangladesh’s authorities on the whole spectrum of their relations, including human rights agenda.
"The upcoming EU-Bangladesh Joint Commission and subgroup on good governance and human rights are notable venues to continue these discussions," he said while responding to a letter written by Ivan Stefanec, Member of the European Parliament.
On January 20, the MEP wrote a letter in which he expressed his concerns regarding the human rights situation in Bangladesh.
Describing Bangladesh as one of the most densely populated, disaster-prone and climate change affected countries in the world, Fontelles said Bangladesh has been very successful in reducing poverty and increasing access to primary education in the last decades.
"The EU appreciates its longstanding partnership with Bangladesh on multiple fronts, including on trade, development cooperation, migration, climate action and regional security," he said.
Fontelles said they notably appreciate Bangladesh's contribution to regional security and stability by hosting approximately 1 million Rohingya refugees who fled Myanmar.
Bangladesh is the largest beneficiary of the EU’s Everything But Arms preferential trade scheme in the world, he mentioned.
READ: 3 EU prime ministers visit Kyiv as Russian attacks intensify
Despite this remarkable socio-economic development, Fontelles said local and international observers, including the UN Committee against Torture (CAT) and the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), continue to raise concerns over allegations of widespread use of torture and ill-treatment by security forces.
Extrajudicial killings and enforced disappearances remain a matter of major concern and require thorough and conclusive investigations as well as full accountability for those responsible, he said.
Furthermore, Fontelles said, the Digital Security Act (DSA) imposes undue restrictions on freedom of expression in the digital space, and we welcome signals from the government that the DSA will be aligned to international standards.
Nagar Paribahan bus service to be launched on 3 more routes: Mayor Taposh
Based on the experience of the Nagar Paribahan bus services in Ghatarchar-Kanchpur route, the service will soon be launched on three more routes, said Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) Mayor Fazle Noor Taposh.
He said this at a meeting with the Bus Route Rationalization Committee in the Nagar Bhaban on Tuesday.
The routes will be extended to the outskirts of Dhaka. Among the new routes, 50 buses will be launched for Route 22; 100 buses for Route 23 and 75 buses for Route 26 - a total of 225 new buses will be launched on these routes, he said.
Mayor Taposh said, "Passenger service is our priority in Nagar Paribahan. Passengers are extremely happy that they do not have to pay extra. We have been able to fulfill this desire of the people of Dhaka. That is why we are happy."
But it will be fully implemented only when all the routes can be managed together as one company under the banner ‘Dhaka Nagar Paribahan Company’, he added.
Plan International's Girls’ Summit kicks off in Rangpur
International development organisation Plan International Bangladesh organised a three-day girls summit in Rangpur where women leaders came together to build leadership skills and become active citizens of this ever-changing world.
Fifty adolescent and young women under the age group of 15 to 24 years old took part in this summit at Begum Rokeya Auditorium of RDRS Bangladesh, said a press release.
The summit’s objective is to create a platform for engaging girls from different parts of Rangpur to become skilled leaders, learn and act on issues affecting their lives, and take complete charge of their dreams.
Some successful young women entrepreneurs are also taking part in this summit to share their change stories to inspire the participants so that they may change their lives and reach their desired goals as well.
At the ceremony, Director of local government, office of the Divisional Commissioner of Rangpur division, Mr. Fazlul Kabir said self-dependency is the prime requirement of woman empowerment.
“We have to build our girls as self-dependent so that they may grow into young leaders of the country, leaders of change. Girls and young women must learn, realize and act to inspire others. They need to receive training to enrich their knowledge.”
Kawser Parvin, Deputy Director of Women Affairs in Rangpur said, women need to prepare themselves towards achieving their goals. “We have to be women friendly from our core.”
Ashik Billah, head of Central and Northern region of Plan International Bangladesh said, the organisation has been working towards building girls’ leadership and achieving girls' rights. “Initiative like this summit will encourage them and will support them to be more confident. “
In this three-day summit, girls will learn about life skills, leadership, gender equality, girls’ rights, Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights, skill development and work opportunities, communications strategy, etc.
These sessions will enrich the knowledge of participating girls as well as enabling them to learn life skills and future planning adapting with the modern world.
Plan International has been working in Bangladesh since 1994 to establish child and youth, especially girls rights. The organisation is determined to build youth and child leadership, especially for girls and young women.
Stockpiling TCB goods in warehouse: 3 held in Ctg
RAB on Tuesday arrested three traders from Chattogram’s Cement Crossing Market for illegally stockpiling TCB goods to sell at the local market.
The arrestees are TCB’s main dealer in Bandar EPZ area Kamrul Islam Rashed (of Prakash Bhandari) and owners of Gauchia Store Md Jasim Uddin and Md Nuruullah.
RAB-7 vice-captain Major Md. Mostafa Zaman said that the warehouse was raided and the products were seized on the basis of a tip-off. The dealers were caught red handed while repacking the goods in that warehouse.
READ: TCB goods recovered from Gazipur market godown; trader arrested
During the preliminary interrogation, they admitted that the products belonged to TCB. A case will be filed against them, he said.
The TCB products seized from the warehouse included 2,000 liters of edible oil, 500 kg of sugar and 500 kg of lentils.
The arrestees and the seized goods were handed over to EPZ police.
Japan's emperor greets president on 50th anniversary of independence
Japanese Emperor Naruhito extended his greetings and congratulations to the Government and people of Bangladesh on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of Independence Day and Japan-Bangladesh diplomatic relations.
The Ambassador of Japan to Bangladesh ITO NAOKI on Tueaday handed over the congratulatory message of the Emperor of Japan to President Abdul Hamid at Bangabhaban this evening.
In his congratulatory message, Emperor Naruhito wished for the development and progress of Bangladesh.
During the meeting, the President said that the foundation of relations between the two countries, which was laid through the visit of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman to Japan after independence, is now extended to various sectors including trade and investment.
READ: ACC annual reports handed to president
Mentioning Japan as an important development partner of Bangladesh, the President highlighted Japan's contribution to the reconstruction of post-independence Bangladesh and the role of JICA, a Japanese development agency, in various sectors including Bangladesh's infrastructure.
President Hamid said Japanese investment in various sectors of Bangladesh is contributing immensely to the socio-economic development of the country.
Hamid hoped that the relations between the two countries will be further expanded in the future as well.
During the meeting, the Japanese Ambassador said that Japan's co-operation in the socio-economic development of Bangladesh would continue in the future as well.
Secretary to the President's Office Sampad Barua, Military Secretary Major General SM Salah Uddin Islam, Press Secretary Joynal Abedin and Secretary Wahidul Islam Khan were present on the occasion.
23 trafficked Bangladeshis return from India through Benapole
Twenty-three Bangladeshi women and children returned home through the Benapole checkpost on Tuesday.
The returnees comprising 14 women and nine children belong to Khulna, Narail, Jashore, Bagerhat, Pabna, Noakhali and Cox's Bazar districts, were trafficked to India at different times.
They returned home with a special travel permit issued by Kolkata Travel on coordinated efforts of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Bangladesh Deputy High Commission in Kolkata, and the Special Task Force on Prevention of Trafficking in Women and Children in West Bengal, according to a press release from the Bangladesh Deputy High Commission in Kolkata.
Read: 114 Bangladeshis return from Libya
Many Bangladeshi women and children got stranded in different safe homes after being trafficked or entering India’s West Bengal illegally or mistakenly. The Directorate of Child Rights and Trafficking of West Bengal informed the Bangladesh Deputy High Commission in Kolkata about these stranded women and children.
This is the fifth repatriation process on a large scale after the repatriation of 38 women and children on January 25 last year, 37 people on September 20, 20 people on October 8 and 21 women and children on January 7 this year.
A special delegation from the Bangladesh Deputy High Commission in Kolkata and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Bangladesh handed over 23 women and children to the local district administration and local police administration in Benapole.