Foreign-Affairs
It's shame for them, FM on countries sheltering Bangabandhu's killers
Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen on Tuesday criticised the United States and Canada for giving shelter to the killers of Bangabandhu instead of handing them over to Bangladesh on various excuses.
"It’s a shame for those countries while (it is) unfortunate for us," he told reporters referring to the failure of the US and Canada to return the convicted killers of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.
Momen said their words do not match with their actions as they remain vocal on human rights issues.
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He said the killers are roaming around freely in those countries which are "so sad" and very "disappointing" to see.
The Foreign Minister made the remarks after a tree-planting ceremony to mark the martyrdom of the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, Bangamata Sheikh Fajilatunnesa Mujib and their other family members in the month August.
State Minister for Foreign Affairs Md Shahriar Alam and Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen also took part at the event in Foreign Service Academy, Dhaka.
Also read: Not a violation of Vienna Convention: US ambassador on raising issues about domestic political affairs
Momen said Canada did not return Noor Chowdhury as they do not handover individuals to those countries where death penalty is awarded.
"On return, he has the scope to seek (Presidential) mercy," he said noting that Canada has not even confirmed his citizenship status.
Also read: UN encourages 'peaceful, credible, and inclusive' elections in Bangladesh
Regarding killer Rashed Chowdhury, Momen said the US government never said that they would not send him back. “We sent the details of the trial process."
They planted the samplings in the Foreign Service Academy as it was the first office of Bangabandhu after the birth of Bangladesh.
Also read: UN Special Rapporteur urges all parties in Bangladesh to exercise restraint
The old building has been converted into a museum.
The special tree planting was part of paying respect to Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and his family members.
Also read: US calls on all parties in Bangladesh to respect fundamental freedoms and rule of law
Not a violation of Vienna Convention: US ambassador on raising issues about domestic political affairs
US Ambassador to Bangladesh Peter Haas on Tuesday said they do not think it is a violation of Vienna Convention when other countries raise issues regarding domestic political affairs.
He said, they listen to them and try to learn from them when such issues are raised in his country.
“In the United States, when other countries raise issues with us about our domestic political affairs, we listen to them, and we see what we can learn from them. We do not feel it is a violation of Vienna Convention,” Ambassador Haas told reporters while responding to a question after his meeting with the chief election commissioner.
US to send pre-election assessment and monitoring team in early Oct: Peter Haas
Bangladesh recently conveyed its dismay to 13 envoys in Dhaka over their “undiplomatic behavior” of issuing a joint statement.
“We expressed our dissatisfaction. I hope that after our discussion today, they will realize that their joint statement has been presented prematurely, out of step with the flow of events, and they will refrain from such undiplomatic behavior in the future,” State Minister for Foreign Affairs Md Shahriar Alam had said.
He said they advised the diplomats to be constructive, reminding them of the Vienna Convention.
UN encourages 'peaceful, credible, and inclusive' elections in Bangladesh
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs summoned the ambassadors or high commissioners of the 13 foreign missions that issued a joint statement recently after a candidate was assaulted during a by-election to the Dhaka-17 constituency.
The statement called for a full investigation and accountability for the perpetrators of the assault on independent candidate Ashraful Alom, better known as Hero Alom.
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In the joint statement, the foreign missions had said, “We condemn the July 17 attack on Dhaka-17 constituency candidate Ashraful Alom, popularly known as Hero Alam. Violence has no place in the democratic process.”
Chinese embassy in Dhaka celebrates 96th founding anniversary of PLA
The Embassy of the People's Republic of China in the People's Republic of Bangladesh held a reception on July 31, 2023, to celebrate the 96th anniversary of the founding of the People's Liberation Army of China (PLA).
Lieutenant General Waker-Uz-Zaman, Principal Staff Officer of Bangladesh Armed Forces Division, graced the reception as the chief guest.
More than 200 dignitaries from the Bangladeshi armed forces, government, police, foreign missions, defence attachés in Dhaka, and the local Chinese community attended the event, said the embassy.
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Senior Colonel Du Xinsheng, Defence Attaché of the Chinese Embassy in Dhaka, said since its birth in 1927, the PLA has embarked on an extraordinary journey to achieve independence and liberation of the Chinese nation, safeguard China's sovereignty, security, and development, as well as advance peace and progress in the world.
He said over the past decades, the PLA has been participating in numerous UN peacekeeping operations, international disaster relief efforts and humanitarian programs, and has forged ever closer friendship and cooperation with the armed forces from other countries including Bangladesh.
During a friendship and humanitarian voyage of "The Peace Ark", a China's navy hospital ship, a Chinese female military doctor helped a Bangladesh mother get through a dangerous time and give birth to her daughter in Chattogram.
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And the father named her daughter "Chin", the Bangali word for China.
It is a very touching story of friendship between China and Bangladesh. Chinese President Xi Jinping recently wrote back to this Bangladeshi girl Alifa Chin, encouraging her to study hard, pursue her dream and carry forward the traditional friendship between China and Bangladesh, said the Embassy.
The reply from the Chinese President endowed the China-Bangladesh friendship with new connotations and aroused enthusiastic repercussions in both countries.
Guided by the consensus reached by top leaders of China and Bangladesh, the two militaries will continually strengthen solidarity and cooperation on the basis of the already fruitful results, work together to meet challenges, and jointly write a new chapter in deepening China-Bangladesh friendship and maintaining world peace.
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Lieutenant General Waker-Uz-Zamandelivered a speech as the chief guest in which he congratulated the PLA on the occasion, highly appreciated the friendly relations between the two countries and the two militaries and was looking forward to the Chinese and Bangladeshi militaries joining hands to achieve new and greater achievements.
A photo exhibition themed "The Peace Ark" featuring UN peacekeeping and escort missions was displayed at the reception.
A video showing the active participation of the Chinese military in international security cooperation and a documentary in regard to the story of Alifa Chin were played.
The guests expressed warm congratulations on the 96th anniversary of the founding of the PLA, and spoke highly of the PLA's achievements and contributions to world peace.
They also offered their best wishes for the sound and stable development of relations between the Chinese and Bangladeshi militaries.
The reception concluded with full success in an agreeable and amicable atmosphere.
UN encourages 'peaceful, credible, and inclusive' elections in Bangladesh
The United Nations has encouraged "peaceful, credible, and inclusive" elections in Bangladesh.
"Regarding the elections, the United Nations encourages peaceful, credible, and inclusive elections in Bangladesh," said Deputy Spokesman for the UN Secretary-General Farhan Haq in a media briefing at the UN Headquarters on July 31.
Read: US calls on all parties in Bangladesh to respect fundamental freedoms and rule of law
Regarding the issue of the Rohingyas, he said, the United Nations appreciates the generosity shown by the government and people of Bangladesh towards the refugees.
"And we hope that continues," said the deputy spokesman for the UN Secretary-General .
"It’s not for me to comment on membership in the Human Rights Council, which is a decision taken by member states," he added.
Read: US to send pre-election assessment and monitoring team in early Oct: Peter Haas
Journalist Lovlu Ansar said sheltering more than a million Rohingyas, the prime minister of Bangladesh, Sheikh Hasina, has set a unique example of humanity. Despite this, he said, some people from so-called civil society, some organizations working on human rights, and even some members of the US Congress have demanded the expulsion of Bangladesh from the United Nations Human Rights Commission.
The journalist also mentioned that the so-called civil society and some members of the US Congress also suggested that the upcoming parliamentary election of Bangladesh be held under the supervision of the United Nations. Bangladesh has promised to hold fair elections, he said.
US to send pre-election assessment and monitoring team in early Oct: Peter Haas
US Ambassador Peter Haas on Tuesday said the United States will be sending a pre-election assessment and monitoring team in early October to assess the situation ahead of Bangladesh's next parliamentary election.
"I informed him (chief election commissioner) that in early October, US will be sending a pre-election assessment and monitoring team comprising experts from the National Democratic Institute (NDI) and the International Republican Institute, with vast experience in election monitoring and election preparation."
Haas spoke to reporters after a meeting with Chief Election Commissioner Kazi Habibul Awal at the Election Commission office in Dhaka today.
"I will repeat what you heard me say before, that the United States' only interest in the elections is they be free, fair and peaceful and that the people of Bangladesh have the ability to choose who governs them," he said.
"In the United States, when other countries raise issues with us about our domestic political affairs, we listen to them and we see what we can learn from them. We do not view it as a violation of Vienna convention," he also said.
UNICEF , WHO for greater breastfeeding support across all workplaces
In the last 10 years, many countries have made significant progress to increase exclusive breastfeeding rates. Yet even greater progress is possible when breastfeeding is protected and supported, particularly in the workplace.
This World Breastfeeding Week, under its theme, “Let’s make breastfeeding at work, work” – UNICEF and WHO are emphasizing the need for greater breastfeeding support across all workplaces to sustain and improve progress on breastfeeding rates globally.
A joint statement was signed by UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell and WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus on the occasion of World Breastfeeding Week.
Read: US calls on all parties in Bangladesh to respect fundamental freedoms and rule of law
Supporting breastfeeding in the workplace is good for mothers, babies, and businesses, and that is why UNICEF and WHO are calling on governments, donors, civil society, and the private sector to step up efforts to:
Ensure a supportive breastfeeding environment for all working mothers - including those in the informal sector or on temporary contracts - by having access to regular breastfeeding breaks and facilities that enable mothers to continue breastfeeding their children once they return to work.
Provide sufficient paid leave to all working parents and caregivers to meet the needs of their young children. This includes paid maternity leave for a minimum of 18 weeks, preferably for a period of six months or more after birth.
Read: US ambassador holding meeting with CEC at Election Commission building
And increase investments in breastfeeding support policies and programmes in all settings, including a national policy and programme that regulates and promotes public and private sector support to breastfeeding women in the workplace.
UN Special Rapporteur urges all parties in Bangladesh to exercise restraint
The UN Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Association and Peaceful Assembly, Clément Nyaletsossi Voule, has urged all parties in Bangladesh to exercise restraint.
"I remind authorities of their duty to guarantee the right to protest/assembly and refrain from using excess force," he tweeted.
Read: US calls on all parties in Bangladesh to respect fundamental freedoms and rule of law
The UN special rapporteur said that respecting dissenting voices is key to fair and free elections.
Clément Nyaletsossi Voule has been the UN Special Rapporteur on the Rights to Freedom of Peaceful Assembly and of Association since April 2018.
Read: US ambassador holding meeting with CEC at Election Commission building
US calls on all parties in Bangladesh to respect fundamental freedoms and rule of law
The United States has encouraged the government of Bangladesh to investigate reports of violence "thoroughly, transparently, and impartially," and to hold the perpetrators to account.
The US also urged Bangladesh to create a safe environment for people to peacefully assemble and voice their concerns.
Read: Momen denounces Quran burning in address to OIC Council of Foreign Ministers
"We call on all parties to respect fundamental freedoms and the rule of law, and to refrain from violence, harassment, and intimidation," US State Department Spokesperson Matthew Miller said during a regular briefing in Washington on July 31.
He said they are concerned about reports of intimidation and political violence in Bangladesh surrounding last weekend’s political protests.
Read: Chinese special envoy in town; discreet meetings held with MoFA
Miller said free and fair elections depend on the commitment of everyone – voters, political parties, youth groups, and police – and cannot take place in an environment with political violence.
Chinese special envoy in town; discreet meetings held with MoFA
Chinese Special Envoy for Asian Affairs Deng Xijun held two separate meetings in Dhaka and discussed issues of mutual interest, including the thorny issue of Rohingya repatriation.
This is his second visit within less then four months and he had meetings with Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen and Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen separately in Dhaka on Monday, said a diplomatic source.
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This time the Chinese special envoy visited Myanmar before coming to Bangladesh. He is scheduled to leave Dhaka on Tuesday.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has chosen to play it cool it seems, about the visit of the special envoy. No Foreign Ministry official, nor MoFA itself, shared anything of Xijun's visit till now.
After his meeting with the Chinese Special Envoy when he came earlier in April, Foreign Minister Momen reiterated his hope that the Rohingyas will start returning to Myanmar acknowledging that he had a discussion on the issue with the Chinese side recently.
Also read: Chinese Embassy hosts reception for journalists
The Foreign Minister said many are working to help facilitate the Rohingya repatriation. "I should say they (China) have taken a very good initiative and they are working accordingly," he added.
The foreign minister said there were two attempts to begin repatriation of the Rohingyas in the past but both went in vain.
Momen said the Chinese side facilitates the discussion between Bangladesh and Myanmar and hoped that the Rohingyas will start returning to their homes.
Also read: Chinese envoy backs Dhaka-Beijing strategic ties to scale new heights
In Myanmar, Chairman of the State Administration Council Prime Minister Senior General Min Aung Hlaing received the delegation led by Deng Xijun, Special Envoy for Asian Affairs of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China at the Office of SAC Chairman in Nay Pyi Taw a couple of days ago.
They frankly exchanged views on progress of friendly ties and cooperation between Myanmar and China, efforts of the State for restoration of internal peace and assistance of China, political progress of Myanmar and endeavours for ensuring peace and stability, and development of the country, preparations to accept the expatriates who left Rakhine State, according to Global New Light Of Myanmar.
Social Security Programmes: GoB, WFP working to raise gender, nutritional standards
The Cabinet Division, Bangladesh National Nutrition Council, and United Nations World Food Programme recently held a dissemination workshop on the findings and recommendations of the review of nutrition and gender sensitivity of social security programmes.
The review is part of a joint project, Promoting Nutrition Sensitive Social Security programme, led by the Cabinet Division, with the support of WFP. It aims to strengthen the coordination and collaboration among the line ministries, divisions and departments implementing social security programmes.
While Bangladesh has made major improvements in the health, nutrition and population sector, malnutrition in all its forms among children and women still remains high. With the adoption of the National Social Security Strategy adopted in 2015, social security programmes have become the Government’s principal vehicle in addressing and improving food and nutrition security.
“Good nutrition ensures that children can develop to their full physical and cognitive potential, and adults can perform optimally. Improving nutrition is, therefore, essential for human capital development,” said Md. Mahbub Hossain, Cabinet Secretary of the Government of Bangladesh.
“Nutrition and gender-sensitive social protection programmes, such as the Mother and Child Benefit Programme and the Vulnerable Women Benefit Programme, play a crucial role in addressing malnutrition and gender inequality, both major obstacles for development,” said Dom Scalpelli, WFP Resident Representative and Country Director in Bangladesh.
“This review is a great opportunity to see social protection programmes through a nutrition and gender lens. WFP pledges its continued support to the Government in promoting nutrition and gender-sensitive social security programmes to serve the most vulnerable population,” added Scalpelli.