The government of Bangladesh has said it expects that the local undemocratic forces that resort to violence, arson and destruction would remain cautious and refrain from their misguided efforts to jeopardize the electoral process as mandated by the Constitution. It is entirely up to the people of Bangladesh to sustain the hard-earned democratic process, political stability and development gains in the country, said the government in a statement. Read more: Nothing to worry about new US visa policy; don't want arson, violence: Momen "The government appreciates that the international community including the US firmly stands by Prime Minister’s sustained commitment to ensure free and fair elections," said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Thursday (May 25, 2023) while responding to new visa policy announced by the US government. The government apparatus will take necessary measures to prevent and address any unlawful practices or interference by any individual, group or entity to compromise the smooth and participatory conduct of the elections, MoFA said. The electoral process will remain under strict vigilance, including by international observers as accredited by the Election Commission, it said. Read more: New US visa policy declared targeting next Bangladesh polls The government of Bangladesh has taken note of the announcement made by the US Secretary of State on a visa restriction policy pursuant to the so-called 3C provision under the US Immigration and Act. "Bangladesh would like to view this announcement in the broader context of its government’s unequivocal commitment to holding free and fair elections at all levels for upholding the country’s democratic process," MoFA said. Under Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s leadership, Bangladesh remains a democratic and politically stable nation with experience of holding a series of elections at national and local levels, said the government. Read more: New visa policy to be implemented fairly on govt & oppn: Donald Lu Since the general elections in 2008, it is evident that the people of the country experienced unprecedented socio-economic development and empowerment due to continued political stability under the Awami League government. This resulted in the reduction of headcount poverty from 41.5% in 2006 to 18.7% in 2022, and of extreme poverty from 25.1% to 5.6% during the same period. Now an "international role model" for development, Bangladesh has become eligible for graduation from the UN Least Developed Country (LDC) status by 2026. These have been achieved due to the Awami League government being elected to office for three consecutive terms over the last fourteen years. The people of Bangladesh are very much conscious of their democratic and voting rights, MoFA said. Read more: US govt’s new visa policy does not bother Bangladesh government: Shahriar Alam There is no precedent for any government to continue in office having usurped people’s mandate through vote rigging, it said. The people’s right to franchise is considered a State sanctity by the Awami League government that has a political legacy of unrelenting struggles and sacrifice for securing that right. The government attaches importance to freedom of assembly and association for all peaceful and legitimate democratic processes. The electoral reform process in Bangladesh continues in a consultative manner involving all concerned stakeholders, MoFA said. As part of the process, photo-based voter ID cards were issued in response to the 10.23 million fraudulent voters enlisted by the Bangladesh Nationalist Party-led government. Read more: New visa policy to help PM Hasina's govt in holding fair elections: US The use of transparent ballot boxes has also been made the norm to establish confidence among the electorate as well as the polling officials and agents. The National Election Commission continues to be equipped with the wherewithal to carry out its functions in full independence, credibility and efficiency, MoFA said. The present government took the initiative for the first time to get the Chief Election Commissioner and Other Election Commissioners Appointment Act, 2022 enacted by the National Parliament. Pursuant to this law, a new Election Commission has been constituted. Read more: Bangladesh's upcoming national polls will be under AL govt: PM Hasina  As mandated by the Bangladesh Constitution and Representation of the People Order, 1972, the entire executive machinery will remain at the Election Commission’s disposal to assist in the discharge of its responsibilities in a way as it may direct, MoFA said.

The United States has indicated their new Bangladesh-specific visa policy will help Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her government in its efforts to hold free and fair elections. "Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her government have committed to supporting free and fair elections in Bangladesh. This policy is designed to support these efforts and the Bangladeshi people, so they may hold elections to choose their leaders," said the US Embassy in Dhaka, in a message to journalists just after the new policy was announced. The United States said they support free and fair elections everywhere. Also read: New US visa policy declared targeting next Bangladesh polls The message also contained a set of FAQs with responses, through which it clarified certain points that may likely arise in people's minds. To start with, the US Embassy said this policy applies to any individual responsible for, or complicit in, undermining the democratic election process in Bangladesh. This includes current or former Bangladeshi officials, government supporters, and opposition members, among others. This would also include the immediate family members of such persons. The United States said they are committed to building a strong partnership with the government of Bangladesh grounded in democracy and human rights. "We welcome the Prime Minister’s expressed commitment to holding free and fair elections," said the US Embassy. Also read: US govt’s new visa policy does not bother Bangladesh government: Shahriar Alam The United States emphasised it does not support any particular political party, and that their handling of this policy would not favour anyone over another - except on the grounds of undermining electoral democracy. "Restrictions under this new policy target individuals engaging in behavior that undermines the democratic election process, regardless of affiliation." It also assured that it is a general practice to notify individuals whose visas are revoked or cancelled. Given US' "close cooperation" with the government of Bangladesh, the US informed it of this policy decision on May 3. Read more: New visa policy to be implemented fairly on govt & oppn: Donald Lu

Dhaka, May 25 (UNB) - US Assistant Secretary of State Donald Lu has clarified that his government did not impose any sanctions on anybody in its Wednesday announcement - rather they have announced a new visa policy. While responding to a question on Channel I's Tritio Matra, a popular political talkshow in Bangladesh, Lu said this policy will apply equally to the members of the ruling and opposition parties. "I want to give you my promise that this policy will be carried out in a way that is fair and constructive, and will be carried out equally toward opposition and government," he said. Read more: New US visa policy declared targeting next Bangladesh polls The US government never takes sides in elections, said the US Assistant Secretary. "We do not support a particular party or a particular candidate. The only thing the US government supports is a free and fair democratic process," he said. Lu, who toured the country in January, said they know this new policy will create questions in Bangladesh. "I know this policy will create questions. I just have to emphasize again that we take this decision in the most constructive and positive way. We want this to contribute to the dialogue in Bangladesh and efforts by everyone – government, opposition, civil society – to create the environment for a free and fair election in the year ahead," he said. Read more: US govt’s new visa policy does not bother Bangladesh government: Shahriar Alam  The United States on Wednesday announced a new visa policy specific to Bangladesh, with a view to promoting free and fair elections. "Under this policy, we can impose visa restrictions on individuals and their immediate family members if they are responsible for, or complicit in, undermining the democratic election process in Bangladesh," US Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced on Wednesday. Lu said this could be members of the government, judiciary, law enforcement, or it could be members of the opposition. He said the defense of democracy is both necessary and essential for Bangladesh to continue to move forward as a leader in South Asia and around the world. Responding to a question, Lu said immediate family members, meaning spouses and children, are subject to these same visa restrictions. "For anyone that we would revoke a visa for, we would inform them immediately," he said. "The Secretary of State has announced a policy and we have not yet applied the policy to any specific individuals," Lu said. The policy allows them to restrict travel to the US for anyone who has committed abuses in one of four areas: voter intimidation, vote rigging, denial of free speech or freedom of assembly, and violence that seeks to undermine free and fair elections, he said. These restrictions, Lu said, would apply both to those giving orders and those taking orders. "For those who are those who are taking orders and who carry out acts of violence, or voter intimidation, or vote rigging, they would be ineligible for a U.S. visa." At the same time those who are giving orders, those individuals, would not be allowed to travel to the United States either, Lu said. Asked whether the announcement was in retaliation for the government of Bangladesh’s decision to withdraw additional police escort, Lu said, "It is absolutely not. I personally was involved with providing advanced notice about this policy to the Bangladeshi government on May 3rd. So there’s no way our decision and our announcement on May 3rd could be retaliation for a decision taken by a government later on May 14th." He said the US government has not, and will not, take decisions based on retaliation. Lu said this is a forward-looking policy, meaning that their hope is that this policy will help to prevent violence and promote a free and fair election this coming year in Bangladesh. "We take that responsibility very seriously and we don’t plan to look backwards." "The United States consider ourselves a friend of Bangladesh. We want this policy to be used to support the efforts of your Prime Minister, her government, the Bangladeshi civil society, and the Bangladeshi people to have a free and fair election in a country which is just so important to the United States." He said Bangladesh is a country that is very special to them. "We have wonderful people to people ties between families and between institutions like universities and our companies," Lu said. For them, he said, the promotion of democracy around the world is a central tenet of the Biden-Harris administration and they believe Bangladesh is a true democracy that deserves to have free and fair elections. "This could be difficult times for Bangladesh, or this could be that this election ushers in a really joyous age in which Bangladesh can celebrate all of its accomplishments, both economic, but also political accomplishments, by making an election that is better than all the elections before it. That’s our hope," Lu said.

State Minister for Foreign Affairs Md Shahriar Alam said on Wednesday that the new visa policy announced by the US government "does not bother" the government of Bangladesh as authorities are "committed" to holding a free and fair election. "It’s not a sanction. BNP should be worried as violence before or during election is another criterion that will trigger visa restriction," he told UNB in a quick response when his reaction was sought. The State Minister said they will give an official reaction in detail once they know details about the policy on Thursday. Read more: US announces new visa policy targeting next general election in Bangladesh The United States on Wednesday announced a new visa policy to promote free and fair elections in Bangladesh. "Under this policy, we can impose visa restrictions on individuals and their immediate family members if they are responsible for, or complicit in, undermining the democratic election process in Bangladesh," US Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced.    

The United States has said the country is not imposing any new sanctions on Bangladesh but announced a new visa policy to promote free and fair elections. "Under this policy, we can impose visa restrictions on individuals and their immediate family members if they are responsible for, or complicit in, undermining the democratic election process in Bangladesh," US Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced on Wednesday. This includes current and former Bangladeshi officials, members of the ruling  or opposition political parties, and members of law enforcement agencies, the judiciary, and security services, according to the announcement available at the US Department of State.  Read more: US govt’s new visa policy does not bother Bangladesh government: Shahriar Alam The United States notified the Bangladesh government of such a decision on May 3, 2023. "Actions that undermine the democratic election process include vote rigging, voter intimidation, the use of violence to prevent people from exercising their right to freedoms of association and peaceful assembly, and the use of measures designed to prevent political parties, voters, civil society, or the media from disseminating their views," Blinken said. Read more: Bangladesh's upcoming national polls will be under AL govt: PM Hasina  The holding of free and fair elections is the responsibility of everyone—voters, political parties, the government, the security forces, civil society, and the media, he said.  "I am announcing this policy to lend our support to all those seeking to advance democracy in Bangladesh," Blinken said.    

State Minister for Foreign Affairs Md Shahriar Alam on Wednesday said Bangladesh and Turkey will stand by each other whenever there is an emergency. He also hoped that the bilateral ties between the two countries will further be enhanced during the tenure of the new Ambassador of Turkey in Bangladesh. The State Minister for Foreign Affairs requested the government of Turkey to continue its support for the Rohingya and their safe return to Myanmar, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Newly appointed Turkish Ambassador to Bangladesh Ramis Sen had a courtesy meeting with Shahriar Alam at the Foreign Ministry. During the meeting, they discussed various bilateral issues and stressed for enhancing bilateral trade and investment as there is huge potential to expand cooperation between the two countries. The Turkish Ambassador thanked the government of Bangladesh for sending a rescue and evacuation team and relief materials to Turkey after the devastating earthquake.                          

The Amir of Qatar on Wednesday assured Bangladesh of providing all sorts of facilities to Bangladesh regarding larger supply of LNG from his country. “I promise you that I, being the Amir, will provide all sorts of facilities to you as you are a friendly country,” Amir Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al Thani was quoted as telling Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina during a meeting at Amiri Diwan in Doha. The two leaders also discussed different issues of bilateral cooperation on energy, business, investment, Bangladeshi manpower as well as Muslim Ummah and development of Bangladesh  “This meeting was held in a very warm environment,” said Foreign Minister  AK Abdul Momen at a press briefing here. About energy, the Amir said the negotiation of signing a new contract over the larger supply of energy from Qatar to Bangladesh remains pending for a few months. Momen said it (the promise) is a big achievement for Bangladesh, adding that this fresh contract might be signed anytime soon. Now Bangladesh is importing some 40 containers of energy that means 1.8-2.5 MTA as per a 15-year contract signed in 2017. But now Bangladesh seeks the larger supply of LNG from Qatar. Praising  Hasina’s leadership, the Amir of Qatar said that they once knew that Bangladesh was a disaster and poverty-stricken country. But when Sheikh Hasina came to power, she removed the food deficit in Bangladesh. In this context, the prime minister said her government brought down the poverty rate to 18.5 percent from 41 percent and the extreme poverty rate to 5.6 percent from 25 percent in the last 14 and a half years. “I’ve made Bangladesh free from poverty. Poverty is a curse,” she was quoted as saying. PM Hasina said she has the only goal to turn Bangladesh into a developed country as dreamt by her father (the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman). “We’ve progressed to some extent. But my work has not finished. I want to work more. But I alone can’t do it. I seek your assistance.  I need more investment. I have opened my country. You can come with investment for mutual benefits,” she told the Amir. Hasina invited the Amir of Qatar to visit Bangladesh, if possible within this year. In response, the Amir said he would definitely visit Bangladesh. Talking about the Muslim Ummah, the PM said the Muslim countries get engaged in conflicts on trivial matter in some cases, which is a barrier for the unity of the Ummah. She requested the Amir of Qatar to work for the unity of Muslim Ummah for the development of the world Muslim community. In reply, the Amir said he may not be able to make the Muslim Ummah united, but he will endeavour in this regard. About the fear of losing jobs among Bangladeshi workers in Qatar, the Amir said  370,000 Bangladeshis are currently here and they are blessings for Qatar. Qatar is going to take new projects and the Bangladeshi people will stay here and they are industrious and working sincerely.  “We’re very happy with Bangladeshis,” he was quoted as saying. Momen said the meeting was very warm. “This is a significant thing. He received her from her car,” he said. Later, the prime minister visited Awsaj Academy, a specialized school for the children with special needs, which runs under Qatar Foundation here in Doha. Hasina visited several classrooms of the academy.  There are some 500 students aged from 3 years to 25 years and 185 teachers in the Awsaj Academy Artworks drawn by its students were presented to the Bangladesh prime minister. She also gifted four artworks drawn by Bangladeshi autistic children to the academy. At the time, the PM sought assistance from Qatar over training for teachers of such schools and early detection of autistic children in Bangladesh. The authority assured that they can train Bangladeshi teachers through a virtual platform, said Momen.  

FIFA and WHO have agreed to extend their collaboration and continue to use the power of football for promoting healthy lifestyles and equal access to health services worldwide.  During the seventy-sixth World Health Assembly in Geneva, WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus and FIFA President Gianni Infantino signed a four-year extension to the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) which has been in place since 4 October 2019.  “Health and football are perfect teammates. Promoting healthy lifestyles, safe stadiums and the physical and mental benefits of physical activity are among the many health goals WHO is proud to keep scoring with FIFA for the next four years,” said Dr Tedros.  “We are proud to have signed and renewed the Memorandum of Understanding with the World Health Organization - we are proud to continue our relationship to pass important physical and mental health messages through our global football audience,” Gianni Infantino said.  During the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, FIFA and WHO launched the Football Unites the World campaign. Supported by Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, Hassan Al-Haydos, Karim Benzema, Lucy Bronze, Giulia Gwinn, Kaká, Robert Lewandowski, Carli Lloyd, Édouard Mendy and Emmanuel Petit as well as by two of the WHO’s Goodwill Ambassadors for Sport and Health, namely Alisson Becker and Didier Drogba, it illustrated football’s unrivalled ability to bring people together.

Chinese Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Sun Weidong is scheduled to arrive here on Friday on a two-day official visit to discuss issues of mutual interest.  He will have bilateral meeting with Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen during his stay in Dhaka.  The meeting is likely to take place on Saturday, said a Foreign Ministry source. Recently, Ambassador of China to Bangladesh Yao Wen said Bangladesh and China "should deepen the strategic partnership" for cooperation and explore new growth points.  "China is willing to work with Bangladesh to continue exploring cooperation opportunities under the Global Development Initiative (GDI), Global Security Initiative (GSI) and Global Civilization Initiative (GCI)," he said. In particular, the ambassador said, they are willing to promote upgrading of industries and digitalization process in Bangladesh, and to improve the quality and competitiveness of “Made in Bangladesh”.

Liu Jianchao, head of the International Department of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, met with a delegation of the Bangladesh Awami League on Wednesday. The delegation was led by Muhammad Faruk Khan, presidium member of the Bangladesh ruling party and chairman of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, reports Xinhua. The Chinese and Bangladeshi sides exchanged views on strengthening institutionalized communication between the two parties, promoting nation-building, safeguarding regional peace and stability and the common interests of developing countries.