politics
Removal of "except Israel" from passports exposed govt’s amoral position: BNP
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Monday said the silence of the Home Ministry on the issue of removing the words “except Israel” from Bangladeshi passports has exhibited the government’s amoral position.
“The ban on travel to Israel from Bangladeshi passports has been lifted at a time when the Palestinian city of Gaza has become a death valley following Israeli airstrikes. The world conscience has got upended with this,” he said.
The BNP leader said the Israeli government through a tweet welcomed the removal of the travel ban on the country by the Bangladesh government. “The Foreign Ministry later declared Bangladesh’s unchanged position on the travel ban on Israel. But the silence of the Home Ministry has exposed an amoral position of the government on the issue.”
He made the remarks at a press conference at BNP chairperson’s Gulshan office. BNP arranged the press conference reaffirming the party’s support to Palestine.
Fakhrul alleged that the Awami League government is now busy appeasing those foreign powers just to cling to power ignoring the country’s people as it has no people’s ‘mandate’ to rule the country.
He said since the formation of the provisional government formed in 1971, Bangladesh has been extending its all-out cooperation and moral and spiritual support to the independence-loving Palestinians. “But we've observed with deep frustration, shame and anger that the current illegitimate government has limited its responsibilities to issuance of a simple statement against the recent Israeli attack on Palestinian citizens.”
The BNP leader said people came to know through an investigative report of Al Jazeera that the current government bought a surveillance device or spying equipment from Israel using a third country. “This device is constantly being used by the state to commit crimes of human rights violations…the government is carrying out these immoral and illegal activities by dodging people,” he alleged.
Replying to a question about what the Bangladesh government could do in favour of Palestine during the airstrikes by Israel, Fakhrul said, “It could do many things. The head of the government, who dubbed as a global leader (by her party leaders), could have taken an initiative to unite the Muslim countries in favour of Palestine and stand against Israel.”
Besides, he said, the Prime Minister could send assistance on a large scale from the government to Palestine.
Fakhrul said their party thinks US President Joe Biden’s statement on creating a Palestinian state alongside Israel is the "only answer" to the conflict is very significant and can pave the way to resolve the long-standing conflict.
“The two-state idea is the only way to establish peace in the Middle East. Joe Biden's call for an end to inter-communal fighting in Jerusalem, the epicentre of the conflict, is a clear manifestation of respect and support of the democracy-loving people of the USA towards establishing the rights of the Palestinian people,” he said.
Fakhrul, on behalf of BNP, has sincerely congratulated Joe Biden and the people of his country and expressed gratitude to them for taking such a clear stance in resolving the Middle East crisis.
He said their party has decided to send medicines for those who were wounded during the fight against Israel expressing solidarity with Palestine.
BNP slams govt over Israel issue
Stating that Israel is a threat to the entire world, BNP on Sunday questioned as to why the Awami League government is trying to develop a relationship with that country by removing the words "except Israel" in the new passport.
“The Home Ministry has decided to remove the word "except Israel" from the new passport. There’s a consensus among our people that Israel is our enemy as they’ve destroyed human rights,” said BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir while speaking at a press conference at the party chairperson’s Gulshan office.
He said, “Israel is a threat not only to the Middle East but also to the entire world. Why’s the Bangladesh government going to build a loving relationship with Israel?"
Fakhrul said there is a correlation between the government’s move to remove the word “expect Israel” from the passport and Al Jazeera's report that Bangladesh bought a surveillance device or spying equipment originally made by Israel.
“That’s why there’s a fear among the people of the country whether the government is going to make such an agreement again with Israel or whether it's going to do something else. We all know Israel is the best in the world in terms of intelligence,” Fakhrul said.
He said people are observing with deep concern the government’s new move regarding Israel.
About BNP’s position on Israel, he said, “We would like to make it clear BNP has no link with Israel. We’ve an anti-Israel stance. “We’ve always been against Israel. We’re still in the same position.”
Meanwhile, Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen said there has been no change in Bangladesh's position towards Israel as it still does not recognise Israel.
Talking to UNB, he also said removing the words like valid for travelling “except Israel” in the new passport does not mean that there has been a change in Bangladesh’s position.
Fakhrul alleged that the government has been running the country depending on bureaucracy as it has lost ground beneath its feet for lack of public support.
He also said the government is now letting loose detectives against journalists and creating obstacles to publishing many reports by giving various instructions.
No change in Khaleda’s condition
Fakhrul said he briefed journalists about the BNP chief’s health condition two days back. “There’s no change in her condition. She’s in the same condition as she was two days ago.”
He said Khaleda Zia is being given physiotherapy as part of her treatment.
On Friday, Fakhrul said BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia’s kidneys and heart have been affected by post-Covid complications.
“It’s a matter of little worry that her (Khaleda’s) heart and kidneys have been affected by her post-Covid complications. Doctors are worried about this and they’re trying to figure out how to cure it,” he said.
The 76-year-old BNP chief, who tested positive for Covid-19 for the second time on April 24, was admitted to Evercare Hospital on April 27 for a thorough health checkup. She was shifted to the CCU of the hospital with shortness of breath on May 3.
Though she has already tested negative for the virus, Khaleda is still receiving treatment at the CCU of the hospital for post-Covid complications and other comorbidities.
Conditional bail to Rozina a ‘dictated’ court order: BNP
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Sunday alleged that the lower court has issued a ‘dictated’ order by granting a ‘conditional’ bail to Prothom Alo journalist Rozina Islam.
“Just think where has the judicial system gone? The law under which she (Rozina) was arrested is bailable. They’re applying an obsolete law enacted during the British period. But it has a bailable section,” he said.
Speaking at a press conference at BNP chairperson’s Gulshan office, the BNP leader said, “After waiting for the instruction (from govt) and buying time, You’ve given the bail on the condition that she can’t go abroad and on a bond of Tk 5,000. Why can't understand she can't go abroad? We think this a dictated verdict.”
Meanwhile, Prothom Alo senior reporter Rozina Islam, who was sent to jail on May 18 in a case filed under the Official Secrets Act, walked out of Kashimpur Women's Central Jail in the afternoon.
Earlier in the day, a Dhaka court granted interim bail to Rozina until July 15 in the case. Dhaka Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Baki Billah granted the bail on a bond of Tk 5,000. The court also asked her to submit her passport before the court.
Rozina had been detained at the Secretariat for over five hours before being handed over to police on May 17 as she allegedly clicked photos of documents related to government negotiations with pharma firms to buy Covid-19 vaccines, according to case documents.
Fakhrul said their party standing committee at their virtual meeting on Saturday strongly protested and condemned the arrest of Rozina on charge of stealing information after torturing her physically and mentally for five hours at the Secretariat.
He said their party policymakers think Rozina went through such harassments only for publishing news on the corruption of the Awami League government.
Fakhrul said their standing committee also thinks the health minister, secretary, and additional secretary and other officials concerned of the ministry should be immediately sacked and brought under the law.
The BNP leader said repressing journalists and shutting down media outlets and controlling the media are the old tradition of Awami League.
He said many journalists were subjected to repression and imprisonment during the rule of the current government while many of them were forced to leave the country.
The BNP leader said the ‘black’ laws like Official Secrets Act and Digital Security Act are destroying the freedom of press and squeezing the democratic system.
He demanded the annulment of all the ‘black and repressive’ laws and withdrawal of all the cases filed against journalists.
He said a strong unity of journalists is necessary for protecting the existence of the media and ensuring the freedom of press.
BNP to boycott by-polls to 4 seats
Fakhrul said their party will not take part in the upcoming by-polls to four vacant parliamentary seats.
“As the elections system has completely collapsed due to the subservient role of the incompetent Election Commission and the government’s interference, we’ve decided not to join the by-polls to Laxmipur-2, Sylhet-3, Dhaka-14 and Cumilla-5 seats,” he added.
BNP’s 2-day programme marking Zia’s death anniv
BNP on Sunday announced a two-day programme to observe the 40th death anniversary of its founder and former president Ziaur Rahman.
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir announced the programmes at a press conference at BNP chairperson’s Gulshan office.
He said the programmes will be held maintaining social- distancing rules amid the coronavirus prevalence.
Ziaur Rahman, who founded the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) in 1978, was assassinated by a group of army officers at Chittagong Circuit House on May 30, 1981.
Also read: Move to revoke Zia's title: BNP announces fresh protest prog
As part of the programmes, Fakhrul said black flags will be hoisted while the party flag be kept at half-mast atop its offices, including its Nayapaltan headquarters, at 6am on May 30.
Besides, party standing committee members will place wreaths at Zia's grave at Sher-e-Bangla Nagar at 11am by maintaining social distance.
The party will arrange an online discussion meeting on May 29 in memory of Zia on the occasion.
BNP and its associate bodies will arrange different programmes, including virtual discussions, on Zia’s activities, as part of the death anniversary programmes.
The party’s city, district, upazila and municipality units will also arrange doa mahfil on the occasion seeking the eternal peace of Zia’s departed soul.
BNP leaders will also distribute relief materials and clothes among the destitute at different parts of the city on the day to be arranged by Dhaka North and South units of BNP.
Dr Kamal demands immediate release of journalist Rozina
Gonoforum President Dr Kamal Hossain on Saturday demanded the immediate resale of Prothom Alo journalist Rozina Islam from jail as he thinks she was implicated in a ‘false case’ by bureaucrats.
“Where’s the barrier to granting bail to Rozina when the entire journalist community, political parties, human rights organisations and eminent citizens of the country are demanding her release?” he said.
Dr Kamal said, “We demand that Rozina be freed immediately and we all are her guarantors.”
Also read: Don’t judge Rozina issue emotionally: Info Minister to journalists
He made the remarks in a written statement at a civic rally in front of the National Museum in the city’s Shahbagh area demanding the release of Rozina and annulment of the Official Secrets Act and the Digital Security Act.
Gonoforum Joint general secretary Mostaq Ahmed read out the statement at the rally in favour of Dr Kamal.
Dr Kamal said Rozina went to the Secretariat on May 17 to perform her professional responsibility.
Also read: Rozina to get fair judgement: FM tells CNN
As she published reports on massive corruption in the health ministry, the Gonoforum President said bureaucrats harassed her for five hours and handed her over to police by implicating her in a ‘false’ case.
“It’s our question as to why journalist Rozina was confined to a room at the Secretariat till 8pm,” he said.
Dr Kamal also demanded the government repeal the Official Secrets Act and Digital Security Act and ensure press freedom.
Also read: Order on journalist Rozina Islam’s bail Sunday
He urged all to get united to force the government to revoke all the ‘black’ laws and ‘restore’ people’s voting rights.
Speaking at the rally, Gonoshasthaya Kendra founder Dr Zafrullah Chowdhury voiced anger as a Dhaka court did not pass its order on a bail petition of Rozina in a bailable case on Thursday.
He urged the journalists to get united putting behind their divisions to establish their rights and ensure press freedom.
Also read: Drop all "oppressive charges" against Rozina: HRW
Nagroik Oikay convener Mahmudur Rahman Manna, Dhaka University professor Asif Nazrul, chief coordinator of Ganosanghati Andolon Zonayed Saki, noted photographer Shahidul Alam and former Dhaka University Central Students' Union (Ducsu) vice president Nurul Haque Nur, among others, spoke at the programme.
Govt must take responsibility for growing custodial deaths: BNP
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Saturday said the government must shoulder the responsibility for the growing incidents of death in jail.
“The incidents of death in jail are taking place one after another under the current regime, especially the dissidents are dying in custody. The government must take responsibility for these incidents,” he said.
In a statement, the BNP leader said killing anyone in jail is an utter violation of human rights.
He said former BNP leader and MP Nasiruddin Ahmed Pintu, writer Mostaq Ahmed and many other dissidents died mysteriously in jail.
The statement was issued voicing concerns over the death of Hefazat leader Maulana Iqbal Hossain who fell ill in jail and later died at a hospital on Thursday night.
Fakhrul said there is no credible and acceptable investigation or satisfactory statement from the government regarding the custodial deaths.
He demanded a judicial investigation into the death of Maulana Iqbal.
The BNP leader prayed for the salvation of Iqbal’s departed soul and conveyed his sympathy to the bereaved family members.
Maulana Iqbal, also the president of Khelafat Majlish’ Sonargaon unit, was arrested by a team of Rab-11 on April 11 as he was the main accused in a case filed over vandalising Royal Resort and creating violence on a highway.
He was taken to Mitford Hospital as he fell sick in Narayanganj district jail where he died last Thursday night.
Fakhrul visits ailing BNP leader Rizvi
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Saturday visited his party colleague Ruhul Kabir Rizvi at his Adabar residence as he has been suffering from post-Covid complications.
Fakhrul along with BNP’s health affairs secretary Dr Rafiqul Islam went Rizvi’s house around 11:30am and enquired about his health condition and treatment.
They stayed there for a while and talked to BNP senior joint secretary general Rizvi and his wife.
Talking to UNB, Dr Rafqi said though Rizvi was discharged from the hospital over a month ago, he is still suffering from various post-Covid complications.
He hoped that the BNP leader would fully recover soon.
Rizvi was admitted to Square Hospitals in the city on March 17, a day after he was found positive for the Coronavirus.
He was shifted to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of the hospital with breathing difficulties on April 1.
As he tested negative for the virus on April 17, the BNP leader was discharged from the hospital two days later.
He has been undergoing treatment at home under a specialist physician since then.
Get united to get rid of repression: BNP to journalists
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Friday urged journalists to get united under a single union putting behind the division to get rid of repression and restore their dignity.
“Journalists have to stand up with their heads high. There’re girls like Rozina Islam who’re trying to stand up tall facing fears,” he said.
Fakhrul came up with the remarks while speaking at a discussion at the Jatiya Press Club arranged by Jatiyatabadi Mohila Dal demanding the release of Prothom Alo senior reporter Rozina Islam and all the political prisoners.
The BNP leader said, “I would like to request journalists not to allow any division among themselves. We see there’re divided journalist unions and associations. So, their voices are not loud enough. You all get united and declare not to tolerate any repressive act against journalists. And then your dignity will increase gradually.”
He also called upon the journalists to speak the truth and call the spade a spade. “You shouldn’t bow down to greed. “You won’t be able to protect your community and the media if you only think about personal gains and protection.”
The BNP leader also urged people to make united efforts to protect the country and free it from the grasp of a ‘monstrous’ regime.
He said journalists could not wage a strong movement against the Digital Security Act, but many media workers are now falling victims to the repressive law.
He appreciated journalist Rozina for what he said exposing the official corruption through her investigative reports. “That’s why the government and the health ministry are angry with Rozina.”
“Rozina has been subjected to suffering for objective journalism. She’s not getting bail. Our leader Nipun Roy Chowdhury is also not granted bail as she had raised voice against irregularities?” the BNP leader observed.
He said the government also wants to teach Rozina a lesson by jailing her. “They also want to intimidate journalists through treating Rozina in this way so that they don’t write much against it. This is the character of a fascist. They want to scare all to suppress them.”
Fakhrul accused the government of destroying all the democratic institutions in the country by running the country depending on bureaucrats. “Bureaucrats are also now the leaders of the ruling party. They openly talk about running the country and they do politics.”
He alleged that the court is unlawfully making a delay in granting bail to Rozina in a billable case. “Filing cases against its opponents is a culture of the Awami League government.”
The BNP leader said Rozina’s arrest and harassment is not an isolated incident as 42 more journalists were killed earlier while journalist couple Sagar-Runi's killers have not been detected yet.
Fakhrul said the country is facing two devils--the Awami League government and the Coronavirus. “The Covid is ruining the entire world like a devil while the current regime is destroying Bangladesh's achievements like a monster.”
Post-Covid complications affected Khaleda’s heart, kidneys: Fakhrul
BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia’s kidneys and heart have been affected by the post-Covid complications, party secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said on Friday.
“It’s a matter of little worry that her (Khaleda Zia's) heart and kidneys have been affected by her post-Covid complications. Doctors are worried about this and they’re trying to figure out how to cure that,” he said.
The BNP leader made the remarks while speaking at a discussion programme at the Jatiya Press Club arranged by Jatiyatabadi Mohila Dal
Fakhrul said he visited Khaleda Zia on Thursday at the Coronary Care Unit (CCU) of Evercare Hospital in the city. “I felt good seeing her yesterday (Thursday) as I saw a little smile on her face after a long time.”
Referring to Khaleda’s doctors, he said her oxygen saturation is now quite good with normal body temperature and no breathing difficulty. “But she has been receiving treatment at the hospital in a very bad condition due to the post-Covid complications."
He said doctors told him that the BNP chief needs treatment for her various complications, including that of heart and kidneys, at an advanced medical centre where all modern equipment is available.
“That’s why her family members submitted an application to the government to send her abroad for treatment. It’s unfortunate for us that the government didn’t give that permission,” the BNP leader bemoaned.
He thanked the doctors of the hospital and Khaleda’s personal physicians for providing her treatment with utmost sincerity. “They’re regularly monitoring her condition and trying to provide her better treatment in consultation with the doctors from the USA and London.”
Fakhrul hoped that Khaleda would surely recover fully and work again for the welfare of the country’s people.
The 76-year-old BNP chief, who tested positive for Covid-19 for the second time on April 24, was admitted to Evercare Hospital on April 27 for a thorough health checkup. She was shifted to the CCU of the hospital with shortness of breath on May 3.
On April 28, a 10-member medical board, headed by Prof Shahabuddin Talukder, was formed for the treatment of Khaleda at the Evercare Hospital a day after her admission there.
Khaleda Zia tested positive for Covid-19 on April 11 as eight people at her residence were infected with the virus. She underwent the second Covid-19 test on April 24 and her report was positive.
She tested negative for Covid-19 on May 8, 27 days after she had been infected with the deadly virus.
The BNP chief’s family submitted an application to the government on May 6 seeking permission to send her abroad for advanced treatment, but it was turned down as a convicted person cannot avail of such a scope.
Amid the coronavirus outbreak, the government freed Khaleda Zia from jail for six months through an executive order suspending her sentences on March 25 last year.
BNP writes to Mahmoud Abbas, voices concern over Israeli attacks
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Thursday wrote to Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas voicing deep concern over the recent violence and inhuman air attacks by Israel on innocent Palestinian civilians on the compound of the Holy Al-Aqsa Mosque.
Mirza Fakhrul sent a letter in this regard to Palestinian Ambassador to Bangladesh Yousef SY Ramadan at his Baridhara office, BNP organising secretary Syed Emran Saleh Prince told UNB.
In the letter, Fakhrul said, “I, on behalf of BNP, express my heartfelt condolences to the victims and the people of Palestine who lost their family members…may Allah be with you and give you the strength to overcome the current difficult time.”
He said BNP always condemns violence and hatred in any form that violates human values and principles and, basic human rights.
“Violating the mosque’s sanctity during the month of Ramadan and the threat of evicting Palestinian families from the Sheikh Jarrah neighbourhood are a clear violation of human rights,” the BNP leader mentioned.
He called upon the international community to be vocal against such violence that leads to killing innocent people in Palestine.
The BNP leader urged the international community to provide all types of protection for Palestinian civilians in the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound and the rest of East Jerusalem in line with the rules of international law and charter of the United Nations,” Fakhrul said.
He reiterated the support of BNP and the people of Bangladesh to the rights of the people of Palestine for having a free and sovereign homeland, State of Palestine.
Israel has conducted more than 1,800 airstrikes on Gaza since the fighting began between Israel and Hamas over a week ago, killing more than 220 Palestinian people, including more than 60 children.
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