United News of Bangladesh

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Saturday recognised people’s hopes for a future of greater democracy, justice and prosperity in Bangladesh as the country undergoes a 'significant transition' under the leadeship of Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus. "This is a pivotal moment for Bangladesh and the international community must play its part in supporting your efforts toward a just, inclusive and prosperous future," he told reporters at a joint briefing at a city hotel together with Foreign Affairs Adviser Md Touhid Hossain. Reforms: Guterres holds talks with political leaders, Consensus Building Commission As the country undergoes important reforms and transitions, Guterres assured that the UN stands ready to assist in fostering peace, national dialogue, trust and healing. "You can count on the UN to be your steadfast partner, working alongside the people of Bangladesh to help build a sustainable and equitable future for all," said the UN chief. He underscored Bangladesh’s extraordinary generosity in responding to the Rohingya crisis. The Secretary-General said as they come together in this sacred month of Ramadan, it is more important than ever to focus on solidarity and shared humanity. In this spirit, he said, they will continue standing with the people of Bangladesh as ‘you navigate the challenges and opportunities ahead’. "I am deeply honoured to share this moment with you. May this Ramadan bring peace, blessings, and renewed hope to all," Guterres said. For years, he said, the people of this nation, especially the communities in Cox’s Bazar, have hosted over a million refugees fleeing violence and persecution. By offering Rohingya refugees sanctuary, Bangladesh has demonstrated solidarity and human dignity, often at significant social, environmental and economic cost, he said. "The world must not take this generosity for granted. I will continue to urge the international community to take greater responsibility and provide the necessary financial and political support for both the refugees and their host communities," Guterres said. In Cox’s Bazar on Friday, he mentioned that they are on the verge of a deep humanitarian crisis. "With the announced cuts in financial assistance, we are facing the dramatic risk of having only 40 per cent in 2025 of the resources available for humanitarian aid in 2024," Guterres said. This would have terrible consequences, starting with the drastic reduction of food rations, he said.   "That would be an unmitigated disaster. People will suffer and people will die. I strongly appeal to the international community to allow us to avoid this tragedy," Guterres said. The United Nations is fully committed to working with Bangladesh and others in finding a lasting solution to the Rohingya crisis that enables their safe, voluntary, dignified, and sustainable return to Myanmar, he said. UN chief Guterres opens new "UN House in Bangladesh" Planning is also well underway by UN Member States for a High-Level Conference on the situation of Rohingya Muslims and other minorities in Myanmar. "We know the situation there continues to deteriorate. The escalation of violence and human rights violations across Myanmar, including in Rakhine State, are causing civilian casualties and driving displacement internally and across borders," Guterres said. He called on all parties in Myanmar to exercise maximum restraint, prioritize the protection of civilians in accordance with international humanitarian law, and prevent further incitement of communal tension and violence – paving the way for democracy to take root. Guterres joined a roundtable discussion on reform proposals participated by representatives of political parties, National Consensus Building Commission and other stakeholders. UN Under Secretary General Rabab Fatima, Bangladesh’s Law Adviser Dr Asif, BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, BNP Standing Committee member Salahuddin Ahmed and representatives of other political parties, Prof Ali Riaz, Dr Iftekharuzzaman, Badiul Alam Majumdar and UN Resident Coordinator in Bangladesh Gwyn Lewis were, among others, present at the dialogue held at Hotel InterContinental. Guterres later joined another dialogue with youths and a meeting with members of civil society at the same venue. Earlier in the morning, UN Secretary-General Guterres officially opened a new "UN House in Bangladesh" in the city. Industries, Housing and Public Works Adviser Adilur Rahman Khan; Environment, Forests and Climate Change Adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan and UN Resident Coordinator in Bangladesh Gwyn Lewis were, among others, present. The UN chief visited the new UN Common Premises to view the 50th anniversary photo exhibition and joined the official UN flag-raising. The visit followed a meeting with UN Country Team Bangladesh. Secretary-General Guterres met Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus on Friday. The Secretary-General expressed appreciation for the close cooperation between the United Nations and Bangladesh, including its contributions to peacekeeping. UN views Bangladesh's reform issues as internal matter, says BNP The Secretary-General and the Chief Adviser discussed the situation of the Rohingya and Bangladesh’s domestic issues. The Secretary-General expressed his solidarity with Bangladesh’s reform and transition process, according to a readout shared by the UN.

A new investigation by Fortify Rights will reveal shocking new details about violence against Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh that rise to the level of international crimes, said the international rights body on Saturday ahead of its release. The 78-page report is based on years of research and more than 100 interviews with Rohingya survivors, eyewitnesses, armed group members, UN officials, aid workers and others. The report, to be released on Tuesday (March 18, 11 am Dhaka), will include urgent recommendations to the government of Bangladesh, militants and international actors. Fortify Rights is an independent nonprofit organisation registered in the United States and Switzerland. Global inaction will deepen Rohingya crisis, INGOs warn during UN chief’s visit The findings will expose patterns of abuses that have gone largely unaddressed by authorities. “I May Be Killed Any Moment” will document ruthless violence and deadly impunity by militant groups against Rohingya refugees, who are also facing a food and aid crisis, compounding the situation. A Rohingya woman human rights defender (pre-recorded message), John Quinley, Director, Fortify Rights, Patrick Phongsathorn, Senior Advocacy Specialist, Fortify Rights will join the programme moderated by Tanbirul Miraj Ripon, freelance journalist, at Dhaka Reporters Unity. Fortify Rights is an award-winning team of human rights defenders working to ensure human rights for all. We investigate violations, engage people with power on solutions, and strengthen human rights defenders.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Saturday joined a roundtable discussion on reform proposals participated by representatives of political parties, National Consensus Building Commission and other stakeholders. UN Under Secretary General Rabab Fatima, Bangladesh’s Law Adviser Dr Asif, BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, BNP Standing Committee member Salahuddin Ahmed and representatives of other political parties, Prof Ali Riaz, Dr Iftekharuzzaman, Badiul Alam Majumdar and UN Resident Coordinator in Bangladesh Gwyn Lewis were, among others, present at the dialogue held at Hotel InterContinental. Guterres will join another dialogue with youths and a meeting with members of civil society between 2:15pm and 5:15pm at the same venue, an official told UNB quoting his programme schedule. Earlier in the morning, UN Secretary-General Guterres officially opened a new "UN House in Bangladesh" in the city. Industries, Housing and Public Works Adviser Adilur Rahman Khan; Environment, Forests and Climate Change Adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan and UN Resident Coordinator in Bangladesh Gwyn Lewis were, among others, present. UN chief Guterres opens new "UN House in Bangladesh" The UN chief visited the new UN Common Premises to view the 50th anniversary photo exhibition and joined the official UN flag-raising. The visit followed a meeting with UN Country Team Bangladesh. Guterres and Foreign Adviser Md Touhid Hossain are scheduled to attend a joint press briefing at 5:20pm at Hotel InterContinental. UN chief to join roundtable on reform proposals Saturday  

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Saturday officially opened a new "UN House in Bangladesh" in the city.Industries, Housing and Public Works Adviser Adilur Rahman Khan; Environment, Forests and Climate Change Adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan, and UN Resident Coordinator in Bangladesh Gwyn Lewis, among others, were present. UN chief to join roundtable on reform proposals Saturday

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres will join a roundtable discussion on reform proposals on Saturday. The discussion will be held between 12:45 pm and 2:15 pm at Hotel InterContinental. Guterres will join a dialogue with youths and a meeting with members of civil society between 2:15pm and 5:15pm at the same venue, according to his programme schedule. The UN chief will visit the new UN Common Premises to view the 50th anniversary photo exhibition and to do the official UN flag raising. UN chief promises to ensure funds for Rohingya humanitarian aid The visit will follow a meeting with UN Country Team Bangladesh. Guterres and Foreign Adviser Md Touhid Hossain are scheduled to attend a joint press briefing at 5:20pm at Hotel InterContinental. In Cox’s Bazar Rohingya camp on Friday, Guterres said they cannot accept that the international community forgets about the Rohingyas and his voice will speak loud to the international community saying we need urgently, more support because this population badly needs that support to be able to live in dignity here in Bangladesh. The UN Secretary General is scheduled to leave Dhaka on Sunday morning.

A Bangladeshi businessman was shot dead by armed robbers in South Africa on Thursday night (Bangladesh time). The incident occurred around 9pm in Vepener, a town in the Free State Province of South Africa. The deceased was identified as Kamrul Islam, 33, son of the late Abdul Mannan Miah of the Ozi Ullah Hafez Bari. He was a resident of Karmullahpur village in Yakubpur Union under Daganbhuiyan upazila of Feni district. Kamruzzaman, elder brother of Kamrul, confirmed the incident. Kamruzzaman said that his brother Kamrul moved to South Africa 12 years ago and initially did a job before starting his own business. He was planning to return to Bangladesh soon. Father, son killed in Pabna road crash He said that two Black robbers stormed Kamrul’s shop while he was closing for the night. The assailants looted cash and valuables from the store before forcing Kamrul outside, believing he had more money in his car. There, they shot him in the left side of his chest, killing him on the spot, according to eyewitnesses. He further said that they are in touch with their relatives in South Africa, and preparations are underway to bring his body back home. He also sought the government's cooperation. Daganbhuiyan Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) SM Azharul Islam said he is aware of the incident and that efforts are being made to contact the Ministry of Foreign Affairs regarding the matter.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has initiated actions against Mohammad Harun Al Rashid, the former Ambassador of Bangladesh to Morocco, for posting a controversial write-up on his Facebook profile, which criticized the interim government instead of returning to Dhaka as instructed. Harun Al Rashid was recalled by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on 11 December 2024 and was asked to report to the Ministry without any delay. However, he delayed his return to Bangladesh on different pretexts and finally relinquished his charge on 27 February 2025. He has reportedly moved from Rabat in Morocco to Ottawa in Canada. On 6 March 2025, he was expected to travel and return to Dhaka from Ottawa, which he did not. On Friday, in his Facebook profile he posted a write up “A Plea for Bangladesh-and for Myself Subject: Bangladesh’s Descent into Anarchy under Yunus-The World’s Silence is painful,” said a press release. In the post, he glorified the abusive fascist regime and tried to portray the situation in Bangladesh post 5 August 2024 under the interim government as descending into anarchy. In his write up, Harun tried to tarnish the image of the Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus and the various efforts and initiatives of the interim government, said the ministry. No impact on US-BD relations following Trump's claim: Foreign Affairs Adviser “It is totally unacceptable to write something in this tone and the content is deeply disturbing, completely distorting facts and realities prevailing in today’s Bangladesh under the leadership of Hon’ble Chief Adviser. It appears that Mr. Harun has some hidden agenda or ulterior motive,” it said. Instead of returning to the Ministry in Bangladesh, he moved to Canada and started writing on facebook from there. He mentioned his status as ‘a persecuted diplomat’, ’exiled novelist’ and ‘secular’ which are used understandably to draw sympathy in his favour in a foreign country. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has initiated actions including revoking of his and his family’s passports. The Ministry would initiate necessary departmental proceedings against Harun Al Rashid that his actions duly deserve. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs does not condone any such attempt by any of its officers and staff members and will take stern action against the offenders.

Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus on Friday pledged to put in their collective efforts together with the United Nations so that the Rohingyas can celebrate their Eid next year by returning to their own homes in Myanmar's Rakhine state. “Let’s pray to Almighty Allah…..so that you can celebrate your Eid at your own homes after your return….this Eid we can’t,” he said after joining iftar with one lakh Rohingyas at Camp 20 Extension of Ukhiya in presence of UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres. The Chief Adviser delivered his speech in Chattogram's regional language for better communication with the Rohingya. Dr Yunus said he will also try staying in touch with the UN chief to make that (repatriation of Rohingyas) happen quickly. The Chief Adviser said Guterres has many responsibilities and but his participation in iftar with the Rohingyas demonstrates the importance he attaches to the Rohingyas. The Rohingya community urged the Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus to facilitate their swift return to their homeland. UN chief promises to ensure funds for Rohingya humanitarian aid Addressing the Rohingyas, Dr Yunus said despite so many crises around the world, including wars in different regions, the UN Secretary-General has come just to listen to the Rohingyas. “For this, we all express our gratitude to him." He thanked all those involved in organising the event and sought prayers from everyone so that he could work with Guterres to resolve the issue swiftly. UN Secretary-General Guterres vowed to do everything in his power to prevent further hardship as drastic aid cuts threaten food supplies and other critical relief efforts. During his visit, he said he had heard two key messages from the refugees: their desire to return safely to Myanmar and their need for better conditions in the camps. Dr Yunus and the UN chief together returned to Dhaka on Friday night from Cox’s Bazar. 

Noting that this is a ground zero for the impact of budget cuts on people in desperate need, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Friday said the international community has an obligation to invest now in that aid for people who have already suffered so much. In this holy month of Ramadan, he appealed to the international community to show solidarity through action and concrete support for the Rohingya people and their Bangladeshi host communities. "We are on the verge of a deep humanitarian crisis. With the announced cuts in financial assistance, we are facing the dramatic risk of having only 40 per cent in 2025 of the resources available for humanitarian aid in 2024. That would be an unmitigated disaster," he said at Camp 20 Extension Ukhiya, stressing that people will suffer and people will die. When Chief Adviser Dr Yunus and UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres arrived at the camp at 5:35 pm, they were greeted by Rohingyas waving their hands. Both Dr Yunus and Guterres responded warmly. Later, they joined ‘Ramadan Solidarity Iftar’ with one lakh Rohingyas. UN chief promises to ensure funds for Rohingya humanitarian aid UN agencies — as well as many humanitarian and development NGOs — are confronting the prospect of enormous funding cuts, Guterres said before joining Iftar with the Rohingyas hosted by Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus at the Rohingya camp. This will have a direct and dire impact on people – on whether they have enough food to survive, on basic health care, on other essential services and protection, he said. The entire refugee population depends on humanitarian aid, Guterres said. "Here it is clear, budget reductions are not about numbers on a balance sheet. Funding cuts have dramatic human costs," the UN chief said, adding that ultimately the solution must be found in Myanmar.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Friday said they will do everything possible to ensure required funds for the Rohingya to avoid a situation in which people would suffer. "I can promise that we'll do everything to avoid it and I will be talking to all the countries in the world that can support us in order to make sure that funds are made available," he told reporters at Balukhali Rohingya camp (Camp 18). Guterres said they cannot accept that the international community forgets about the Rohingya, and his voice will speak loud to the international community. Ramadan Solidarity: Dr Yunus, Guterres in Cox’s Bazar to join iftar with Rohingyas The UN chief said they urgently need more support because this population badly needs that support to be able to live in dignity here in Bangladesh. Guterres said Rohingyas want to go back to Myanmar. It's essential that the international community does everything to make sure that peace is reestablished in Myanmar, and that the rights of the Rohingyas are respected, he said. Guterres visited UN-run different facilities, including IOM's Rohingya cultural memorial centre in Camp 18, Ukhiya. Earlier, Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus and Guterres arrived here in Cox’s Bazar on Friday afternoon to attend a number programmes, including a tour to the Rohingya refugee camp. Disaster Management and Relief Adviser Faruk E Azam Bir Protik received them upon their arrival at Cox’s Bazar International Airport. Count on UN to help build sustainable, equitable future for all: Guterres tells Dr Yunus The Chief Adviser will join the UN chief at the Rohingya camp before the iftar. The UN chief will share an Iftar with the refugees to be hosted by Dr Yunus. The UN chief and Dr Yunus will meet Rohingya refugees who have been forcibly displaced from their homes in Myanmar. They will also meet the host Bangladeshi communities who have been so generous in hosting them. "Every Ramadan, I spend time with Muslim communities living in difficult circumstances, to observe the fast with them and help shine a spotlight on their plight. This year I’m in Bangladesh to express my solidarity with Rohingya refugees and the Bangladeshi people hosting them," Guterres said on his Ramadan solidarity visit. UN chief speaks with Rohingya children at learning centre Dr Yunus and Guterres are scheduled to return to Dhaka tonight (Friday night). In the morning, the UN chief had a bilateral meeting with Chief Adviser Dr Yunus and discussed the issues of mutual interests, including the Rohingya refugee crisis. The meeting was held at the Chief Adviser's Office in Tejgaon. Foreign Affairs Adviser Md Touhid Hossain and Chief Adviser's High Representative Dr Khalilur Rahman also met Guterres at a city hotel, before his meeting with the Chief Adviser. On Saturday in Dhaka, the Secretary-General will meet the youth and representatives from civil society, said an official at the UN office in Dhaka. UN chief Guterres reaches Rohingya camp in Cox’s Bazar He will also have a joint press conference with the Foreign Adviser Hossain on Saturday afternoon. Guterres is scheduled to leave Bangladesh on Sunday morning.