Dhaka, Dec 9 (UNB) - German Ambassador to Bangladesh Peter Fahrenholtz on Sunday termed the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) ‘the most important document produced in the history of mankind’, which “protects the dignity of human across the world”. 

UN Resident Coordinator in Bangladesh Mia Seppo said human rights, films and youth together is a fantastic combination. "Films and art can put spotlight to the issues that needs to be heard.” 

They were addressing a panel discussion on promoting and protecting human rights through film and other media celebrating the 70th anniversary of the UDHR.

The discussion was moderated by Abdul Quayum, Associate Editor, Prothom Alo.

The United Nations in Bangladesh in association with Dhaka University Film Society (DUFS), with support from the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) and the German government, organised the two-day "Human Rights Short Film Festival 2018" that ended on Sunday at Bangladesh Shishu Academy.

Mostafa Sarwar Farooki, filmmaker; Sanjeeb Drong, Representative of Bangladesh Human Rights Forum; Aung Rakhine, filmmaker; and Rashedul Hafiz, lifetime member of Dhaka University Film Society (DUFS); also graced the closing and the award giving ceremony of the film festival. 

The theme of the festival was “Finding Bangladesh and South Asia in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, 70 years later”.

Renowned filmmaker Mostafa Sarwar Farooki stressed on giving equal emphasis to protect everyone’s human rights. 

He said, “When it comes to protect and promote human rights, we should not be selective. We can truly avoid being selective about protecting human rights, we can change society as a filmmaker.”

Some 735 short films on human rights from 82 countries were submitted for the Human Rights Short Film Festival 2018.

The films that have been screened at Human Rights Short Film Festival 2018 reflect a commitment to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. 

Besides short film screening, a play on human rights titled “We sing equality” was performed on the festival. 
 

Dhaka, Dec 9 (UNB) - Dubai-based flydubai on Sunday announced to restart its flights to Chattogram on January 20 next with daily flights. 

“We’re delighted that flydubai is returning to Chattogram. It reaffirms our commitment to serving underserved destinations and with daily flights, we look forward to our passengers benefiting from our direct and convenient flights to Dubai and beyond,” said Sudhir Sreedharan, flydubai‘s Senior Vice-president (Commercial) for the UAE, GCC, Subcontinent and Africa.

Emirates will codeshare on this route as part of the Emirates flydubai partnership announced in July 2017, said a press release.

For bookings under the codeshare, Emirates passengers will receive complimentary meals and the Emirates checked baggage allowance on flights operated by flydubai in Economy class, it said.

With the partnership, passengers from Bangladesh will have an opportunity to travel via Dubai to hundreds of destinations all over the world.
 

Dhaka, Dec 9 (UNB) - Speakers at a programme on Sunday said the government, civil society and media can protect human rights as well can stop the violence against ingenious people across the world.

Public awareness is also needed to protect the human rights, they said at a discussion.

Dhaka University Film Society in association with United Nations in Bangladesh organised the panel discussion titled “Promoting and Protecting Human Rights Through Film and Other Media” to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights at Shishu Academy Auditorium in the city.

Prothom Alo associate editor Md Abdul Quayyum moderated the discussion where German Ambassador in Dhaka Peter Fahrenholtz, UN Resident Coordinator in Bangladesh Mia Seppo, filmmakers Mostafa Sarawar Farooki and representative of the Human Right Forum of Bangladesh Aung Rakhine spoke.

In his speech German Ambassador Peter Fahrenholtz said, “Though the Universal Declaration of Human Rights is just a document of few pages, it’s playing a very important role to protect the human rights across the world. Human right is basically connected to the protection of people’s dignity.”

“It’s the duty of all of us to raise our voice against human rights violence and to engage ourselves to protect people’s right,” he added.  

The UN Resident Coordinator in Bangladesh Mia Seppo said, “The UN is continually working to protect peoples right and empowering the refugees. The UN is also supporting the people and organisations who are working for protecting human rights.”

Thanking the organizer, she also said, “Movie has a strong power to create consciousness among people about their rights and describe social problems. It also inspires youths to work for the people and the nation.”

Dhaka, Dec 9 (UNB) - Distinguished fellow of the Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD) Dr Debapriya Bhattacharya on Sunday said economic disparity in the country has increased manifold for lack of political competition in the last 10 years.

“Life and livelihood issues didn’t come up for discussion despite extensive discussions and debate about the upcoming election,” he said.

Debapriya made the remarks while addressing a CPD press briefing on the ‘State of Bangladesh Economy and Upcoming National Elections Priorities for Electoral Debates’ at BRAC Centre Inn Auditorium.

He said now the main challenge is to reduce discrimination which widened in the last 10 years due to scattered development.

“Even many rules and regulations have been violated in recent years, especially during 2014-15, as there was no appropriate step from the government. We want the political parties to pledge as to how they’ll remove the disparity and implement projects,” the CPD distinguished fellow said.

He underscored the need for removing the economic disparity to sustain the growth. 

Debapriya suggested increasing employment, investment and Gross Domestic Product (GDP), involving small and medium enterprises (SMEs), boosting agricultural development, ensuring quality education and pricing policy, and implementing laws in the banking sector for this.

He also stressed that the political parties include initiatives in their election manifestos for ensuring sustainable growth alongside enacting necessary laws and bringing reforms in the banking sector which witnessed widespread ‘looting’ of Tk 22,502 crore in the last 10 years.

According to a CPD study, the major scams in 14 banks cost the amount, which is about four-fifth of the Padma Bridge project cost while two-fifth of the Sonadia deep-sea port.

The micro-economist said now eligible and honest candidates are not getting nomination as election has become a big investment.

Another distinguished fellow Mustafizur Rahman said political parties must discuss the issues of economic challenges and how to resolve those.

“Developed countries arrange debates before the national election but this culture is absent in our country. So, our demands have to be informed to general people through political parties’ manifestos. It’s not possible to flourish the economic sector without a democratic system,” he said.

Mustafizur also touched upon the ‘awful’ situation of the country’s education system, saying the unemployment has turned acute among educated persons. “Even the education got less allocation in the national budget.”

“The challenges of the economy are increasing day by day. So, it’s the perfect time that political parties promise how they’ll resolve the challenges,” he said, underscoring the need for putting importance to foreign investment in the country.

The CPD distinguished fellow also said the private sector investment increased from Tk 1,259 billion to Tk 2,378 billion from 2009 to 2018. 

He also suggested increasing the revenue-GDP and tax-GDP ratio measures to curb illicit financial flow and black money.

Chattogram, Dec 9 (UNB) - President Abdul Hamid said there is no alternative to a skilled and smart navy force for protecting the maritime sovereignty alongside ensure full utilisation of the potentials of increasing trade and investment and protect marine resources.

He made the remarks while addressing the President Winter Parade of Bangladesh Navy on the occasion of the passing out of midshipman naval cadets at the parade ground of Bangladesh Naval Academy at Patenga in the port city on Sunday.

The President said, "Bangladesh is a riverine country. We have a vast maritime territory. There is no alternative to a skilled and smart navy force to protect the marine resources." 

“The Navy has been fully built as a three dimensional force. I believe Bangladesh Navy will continue their efforts for upholding the country’s image in the international arena alongside the protecting maritime sovereignty," he said.

Mentioning  our foreign policy' Friendship with all, malice to none', he said " It is very urgent to establish a Credible Deterence Force combining diplomacy, defence and deterence. We do not want war with anyone as we are peace loving nation. But we are determined in protecting the country's sovereignty and independence at any cost."
  
President Abdul Hamid also urged Bangladesh Navy to work together with Army and Air force to protect the sovereignty of the country and  stand beside the people of the country during any disaster if necessary.       
 
“You have to keep in mind that the responsibility that the nation has entrusted upon you is of great significance and the whole nation expects Bangladesh Navy will take Bangladesh to the new height with their professionalism, patriotism, and dutifulness."

“'Bangabandhu Complex' has been built with modern facilities to materialize the dream of the Father of the Nation. As a result, it will be possible to provide international standard training to more local and foreign nationals. This will also create opportunity to tap the full potential of Blue Economy,” he added. 

Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Nizamuddin Ahmed  received the President  at the Parade ground in a ceremonial motorcade of the Bangladesh Navy.

The President reviewed the smartly turned-out parade and took salute of the impressive march past by Midshipman 2016 Batch and DEO 2018/B Batch. 

Through this Passing Out Parade, 59 Midshipmen of 2016 batch including one Sri Lankan and one Maldives Midshipman were commissioned on completion of 3 years training. 

Moreover, 07 Direct Entry Officers were adorned with Officer Epaulette on successful completion of 6 months basic training. Among the passing out batches, there were 4 female Midshipmen. 

Midshipman 2016 batch joined Bangladesh Naval Academy on 27 December, 2015 and were promoted to the rank of Midshipmen on 25 December 2017.

 Today, they were promoted to the rank of Sub-Lieutenant on completion of 3 years pre-commission training from Bangladesh Naval Academy.

 Midshipman Ahmed Ridwan Khan  was adjudged the Best all Round Midshipman of the course and was awarded with the Sword of Honour while Midshipman Ijaz Mahmud Shuvo received CNS Gold Medal for attaining 2nd position in overall training. Acting Sub Lieutenant Saif Hossain Sudhi was awarded with ‘Bir Sreshtho Shaheed Ruhul Amin Gold Medal’ as the Best Direct Entry Officer. 

Ministers, Chiefs of Armed Forces, Members of Parliament, High level dignitaries, senior military officers from three services, Naval Commandos of the  Liberation War, diplomats, parents and guardians of passing out officers  were also present on the occasion.