Foreign-Affairs
Bangladesh urged to investigate newly arrived Myanmar Border Guards for atrocity crimes
Fortify Rights has called on the Bangladesh government to probe the recent influx of Myanmar Border Guard Police (BGP) for potential involvement in atrocities and to align with the International Criminal Court’s (ICC) investigation into crimes against the Rohingya population.
In the wake of conflicts with the Arakan Army in Rakhine State in Myanmar, hundreds of Myanmar BGP have sought refuge in Bangladesh. Matthew Smith, CEO of Fortify Rights, emphasized the importance of Bangladesh providing aid and protection to these individuals, while scrutinizing their past actions for any criminal involvement.
“It would be in the interest of other Myanmar military, police, and border guards to come forward and cooperate with international justice mechanisms,” he said.
“These border guards might have information that could help hold perpetrators accountable for the Rohingya genocide and other crimes unfolding in Myanmar, and they should be properly investigated," Smith added.
Read: Myanmar border unrest: Tourist ship services on Teknaf-Saint Martin’s route suspended indefinitely
On February 6, 2024, Bangladesh’s Border Guard reported the entry of 264 Myanmar BGP members, including some critically injured, who are now receiving medical treatment locally.
Mohammed Mizanur Rahman, Bangladesh's Refugee Relief and Repatriation Commissioner based in Cox's Bazar, told media that the Myanmar border guards could be accommodated in the nearby district of Bandarban before being sent back to Myanmar.
An ICC decision on November 14, 2019 authorized the ICC Office of the Prosecutor (OTP) to investigate any crime related to the situation in Myanmar that was allegedly committed, at least in part, on the territory of Bangladesh.
The Court has yet to issue arrest warrants related to atrocity crimes against Rohingya.
The OTP’s investigation has been underway for approximately four years.
Bangladesh became a state party to the ICC in 2010 and previously coordinated with the Court to bring alleged perpetrators from Myanmar to justice.
Read: 64 more members of Myanmar security forces enter Bangladesh on Wednesday: BGB
In September 2020, two Myanmar military soldiers — Army Privates Myo Win Tun and Zaw Naing Tun — appeared on the Bangladesh-Myanmar border, requesting protection from Bangladesh authorities.
As a state party to the Rome Statute, Dhaka notified the ICC of the presence of the two former soldiers, who confessed to their involvement in massacres, rape, and other crimes against Rohingya in Myanmar.
The soldiers were transferred to The Hague and are the first-ever perpetrators from Myanmar to be in the hands of the ICC.
The Bangladesh authorities should also coordinate and cooperate with the International Independent Mechanism for Myanmar (IIMM) in the collection of evidence of international crimes in Myanmar, said Fortify Rights.
The UN Human Rights Council created the IIMM in 2019 to collect and preserve evidence of international crimes in Myanmar for future prosecutions.
Read: Clashes at Myanmar border escalate, 65 Rohingyas intercepted
In 2016 and 2017, the Myanmar military led genocidal attacks on Rohingya people in Rakhine State that razed hundreds of villages, killed, raped, and tortured untold numbers, and forced more than 700,000 people into Bangladesh.
Fortify Rights, the US Government, a UN-appointed Fact-Finding Mission, Rohingya-led organizations, and others have found that the attacks constituted genocide.
Rushanara Ali MP quits as UK PM's trade envoy: Statement
British MP Rushanara Ali has stepped down from her post as the UK Prime Minister’s Trade Envoy following appointment as Shadow Investment and Small Business Minister.
In a statement issued this week, Rushanara said “It has been a pleasure to serve as the UK Prime Minister’s Trade Envoy to Bangladesh since 2016. I have thoroughly enjoyed the challenge and opportunity the role has brought, and I leave the role with pride, knowing that I have contributed to building strong bilateral relationships between the UK and Bangladesh."
Read: Let's redouble efforts to promote stronger Dhaka-London trading ties: Rushanara
"The cross-party nature of the Trade Envoy network is one of its great strengths. In my case, the role afforded me the opportunity to support and deepen relations and our economic ties between the UK and Bangladesh," she said.
She also sent a letter to Prime Minister Rishi Sunak.
IFAD President lauds Bangladesh for its highest performing portfolio
Alvaro Lario, President of International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), a specialized UN Agency based in Rome, has lauded Bangladesh for its highest performing portfolio in disbursement and utilization of resources for the rural people with best practices in a number of areas.
Read: IFAD president Alvaro Lario lauds Bangladesh's remarkable achievements in food production
Lario mentioned Bangladesh's remarkable achievements in food production, climate-smart agriculture, and including women and youth in rural enterprises and also referred to the impressive utilization capacity of Bangladesh to implement its programs and projects.
He shared his deep appreciation on Wednesday during the ceremony organized for the presentation of Letter of Commission by Md. Monirul Islam, Ambassador of Bangladesh to Italy, accrediting him as the Permanent Representative to IFAD.
Ambassador and PR Islam thanked IFAD President for receiving the Commission and also for sharing his understanding as Bangladesh and IFAD enjoy a very special relationship for more than 45 years being IFAD’s one of the first partner countries.
The Ambassador underscored the President's extensive expertise and knowledge of working in IFAD and other reputed international organizations which is highly effective in materializing IFAD's mandate in the development of rural areas and marginalized people around the globe.
Read: IFAD president visits India to advocate for small-scale farmers, rural communities at G20 meeting
While describing the “development journey” of Bangladesh under the charismatic leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, the Ambassador briefed him about the splendid performance of Bangladesh in the agriculture sector which received global recognition.
The event held at IFAD Headquarters, ended with reiteration of commitment by both Bangladesh and IFAD to work together closely emphasizing “Inclusive Development” in the coming days to eradicate poverty and hunger and uplift rural livelihoods.
Md. Al Amin, Alternate Permanent Representative to IFAD, Aysha Akter, First Secretary (Political), Md. Ashfaqur Rahman, First Secretary (Political) of Bangladesh Embassy in Rome were present while the President of IFAD was accompanied by senior officials of IFAD.
FM Hasan seeks early conclusion of Teesta deal, renewal of Ganges Water sharing treaty with India
Foreign Minister Dr Hasan Mahmud on Wednesday (February 07, 2024) emphasised on early conclusion of Teesta water sharing agreement aiming to strengthen water cooperation between Bangladesh and India.
He also stressed the renewal of the Ganges Water Sharing Treaty that will expire in 2026.
The issue of border killings was discussed during his bilateral meeting with Indian External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar at Hyderabad House on his maiden bilateral trip to India as the foreign minister.
Both sides agreed to enhanced cooperation between the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) and the Border Security Force (BSF) and using non-lethal weapons to reduce border killing to zero.
Foreign Minister Mahmud requested his Indian counterpart to withdraw tariff and non-tariff barriers for Bangladesh's exports, as well as ensure uninterrupted supply of essential commodities to Bangladesh for maintaining price stability, especially during Ramadan.
Mahmud is visiting India from 6 to 9 February 2024 at the invitation of the External Affairs Minister of India.
Our discussions today will strengthen Bangladesh-India Maitri, says Jaishankar welcoming FM in New DelhiThe two foreign ministers expressed satisfaction on the excellent bilateral relation that exists between Bangladesh and India.
They discussed key areas of mutual interests, expressing a commitment to strengthening collaboration across various areas.
They stressed the need for deeper and high quality cooperation in various sectors especially trade and commerce, connectivity, power, defence and security cooperation and water.
Both the foreign ministers agreed to collaborate further each other at sub-regional, regional and multilateral platform.Mahmud thanked India for their cooperation and continued support in various sectors which resulted in a remarkable year of 2023 in the bilateral relations between the two countries.
He noted that a number of projects in promoting power sector cooperation and establishing connectivity were inaugurated by the two prime ministers.
Political stability, peace must for development and progress: Hasan Mahmud says in DelhiThe Indian External Affairs minister congratulated the Bangladesh Foreign Minister for conducting a very good and successful elections held last month.
Dr Jaishankar emphasised on regional connectivity and power sector cooperation.
He appreciated the government of Bangladesh under Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina for socio-economic advancement during last 15 years.
The minister noted that Bangladesh and India should work together to fulfill the aspiration of the peoples of both countries.
He stressed devising ways and means of fast tracking LoC projects.Both the foreign ministers discussed in details the evolving situation in Myanmar and its impact on the regional stability and repatriation of Rohingyas from Bangladesh to Myanmar.
Bangladesh’s foreign minister reiterated for India's support in the early repatriation of Rohingya refugees.Both the foreign ministers expressed commitment to further enhance their collaboration to promote sub-regional cooperation within the framework of BIMSTEC, IORA and BBIN. The foreign minister invited the External Affairs Minister of India to Dhaka for the next Joint Consultative Commission (JCC) Meeting at his earliest convenience.Earlier, Mahmud paid tribute to the memories of Mahatma Gandhi at Raj Ghat.
He met National Security Adviser Ajit Doval and visited Bangabandhu Media Centre at the Press Club of India.
FM Hasan, Jaishankar discuss scope of future engagement in line with "Smart Bangladesh 2041" and "Viksit Bharat 2047"
Home Minister visits pavilions at World Defence Show
Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan visited the pavilions of different countries at the World Defence Show 2024 in Saudi Arabia's Riyadh on Tuesday.
During the visit, the Ambassador of Bangladesh to Saudi Arabia Mohammad Javed Patwary accompanied him.
64 more members of Myanmar security forces enter Bangladesh on Wednesday: BGB
The minister, later, visited the Bangladesh Embassy in Riyadh and discussed with the embassy officials about the various problems and solutions to the problems of Bangladeshi expatriates.
He directed the embassy officials to be more active in the interests of the Bangladeshi expatriates staying in Saudi Arabia and to be more aware that they can easily get passports and other services at the right time.
FM Hasan, Jaishankar discuss scope of future engagement in line with "Smart Bangladesh 2041" and "Viksit Bharat 2047"
Khan also visited the Bangladesh Consulate office in Jeddah.
The minister is scheduled to return home on February 11 after performing the holy Umrah.
"I am amazed by what Bangladesh’s women farmers can achieve when provided the opportunity"
64 more members of Myanmar security forces enter Bangladesh on Wednesday: BGB
Amid the ongoing conflicts along the Bangladesh-Myanmar border, 64 more members of Myanmar security forces entered Bangladesh on Wednesday, taking the total number to 328, said BGB sources.
A total of 328 Myanmar forces including BGP, army personnel and immigration officials have taken shelter in Bangladesh, said Shariful Islam, public relations officer (PRO) of Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB).
The 64 Myanmar officials entered Bangladesh till Wednesday evening with arms through Whaikhong on Teknaf border, he added.
The BGB disarmed them and took them to a safe shelter, the PRO said.
In a statement during his visit to the Bangladesh-Myanmar border in Cox’s Bazar on Wednesday (February 7, 2024), Major General Mohammad Ashrafuzzaman Siddiqui, newly appointed Director General of the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB), asked the border guards to remain on high alert to address any potential border-related incidents.
During the visit, Siddiqui underscored the BGB’s commitment to maintaining security and sovereignty while adhering to humanitarian principles and fostering positive international relations.
“The border situation is fully under control, and we are dedicated to managing it with patience, humanitarian considerations, and in a manner that respects our international obligations, as directed by the Prime Minister. Under no circumstances will illegal entry into Bangladesh be permitted,” Major General Siddiqui emphasized.
A Bangladeshi woman and a Rohingya man were killed following an explosion of a mortar shell at a house in Jolpaitoli under the Ghumdum union of Naikhongchhari upazila in Bandarban district on Monday.
Besides, the academic activities of five government primary schools in Naikhangchhari upazila have been suspended.
FM Hasan, Jaishankar discuss scope of future engagement in line with "Smart Bangladesh 2041" and "Viksit Bharat 2047"
Bangladesh and India on Wednesday discussed areas of future engagement in line with the national development goals of the two countries, including the visions of "Smart Bangladesh 2041" and "Viksit Bharat 2047"
At the invitation of the External Affairs Minister of India, Dr. S.Jaishankar, Foreign Minister Dr Hasan Mahmud is paying an official visit to India from February 7-9, 2024.
"Our discussions today will strengthen (the) Bangladesh-India Maitri (friendship)," Jaishankar said in a brief message shared from X, formerly known as Twitter.
This is Foreign Minister Mahmud's first official visit to India, and his first bilateral visit to any country, after assuming office as the new Foreign Minister of Bangladesh in January 2024.
"I am amazed by what Bangladesh’s women farmers can achieve when provided the opportunity"
The External Affairs Minister held delegation-level talks with the Bangladesh Foreign Minister and hosted a dinner in his honour.
During their interaction, the two ministers reviewed the progress in wide-ranging areas of bilateral relations, including cross-border connectivity, economic anddevelopment partnership, cooperation in defence and security, power, energy, water resources and people-to-people exchanges.
The two leaders also exchanged views on regional and multilateral issues of common interest.
They expressed commitment to further enhance their collaboration to promote sub-regional cooperation within the framework of BIMSTEC, IORA and BBIN.
Earlier, Foreign Minister Mahmud visited Rajghat to pay homage to Mahatma Gandhi.
Mahmud said it is essential to maintain political stability and peace for the sake of development and progress, and that is the issue getting priority during his ongoing bilateral visit to India.
Russain Federation Council Chairwoman Valentina Matvienko congratulates Speaker Shirin Sharmin
He held a meeting with India’s National Security Advisor Ajit Doval on the first day of his visit.
After the discussion at Sardar Patel Bhavan, the Awami League Joint General Secretary paid floral tributes at Mahatma Gandhi’s cremation ground and memorial square at Rajghat.
Talking to reporters, he said unprecedented development has been achieved in Bangladesh under the leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, India has also made great progress under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
“There is no alternative to maintaining regional political stability and peace to maintain this development trend. We discussed in that direction,” Mahmud said.
Foreign Minister Hasan also said there was a discussion about the rehabilitation of Rohingyas with full rights to their own country Myanmar, and they also discussed ways to work together on the ongoing situation in Myanmar.
High Commissioner of Bangladesh to India Md Mustafizur Rahman, officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Bangladesh High Commission were present.
Our discussions today will strengthen Bangladesh-India Maitri, says Jaishankar welcoming FM in New Delhi
During the visit, Mahmud will also call on the President of India and hold a meeting with Commerce and Industry Minister, Piyush Goyal.
He will travel to Kolkata on 9 February before concluding his visit.
The visit of Bangladesh’s foreign minister to India is part of the ongoing high-level exchanges between the two countries and has enabled both sides to chart out the course of their forward-looking engagement during the new term of the Government in Bangladesh, according to the MEA.
The visit follows the bilateral meeting between the two foreign ministers on the sidelines of the Non-Aligned Movement Summit held in Uganda last month and has contributed to further strengthening of the traditional, long-standing friendship and cooperation between the two countries.
"I am amazed by what Bangladesh’s women farmers can achieve when provided the opportunity"
UN Resident Coordinator in Bangladesh Gwyn Lewis has said increasing women’s empowerment is essential for women’s well-being and it has a positive impact on agricultural production, food security, diets, and child nutrition.
"I am amazed by what Bangladesh’s women farmers can achieve when provided theopportunity," she said, reflecting on her experience.
FM flags “biased sourcing” of OHCHR with Gwyn Lewis
Led by the Resident Coordinator in Bangladesh, FAO, IFAD, WFP, and UN Women teams visited Kurigram for two days to explore innovative ways to better support women through existing food security, nutrition, sustainable agriculture, and climate change adaptation programmes.
According to the Bangladesh Chronic Food Insecurity Situation 2019-2024 report, 20 percent of households in Kurigram suffer from malnutrition and food insecurity. Many households depend on unskilled daily labor, marginal farming, or traditional fishing to survive.
Gwyn Lewis lauds invaluable contributions of all UN volunteers
They often live in areas where there is a high recurrence of shocks, flash and monsoon floods, riverbank erosion, and dry spells.
During the visit, women at a grassroots level explained how, thanks to the UN support, they are accessing resources and growing their businesses and agency within the household.
Bangladesh’s private sector has so much to gain, give: UNRC Gwyn Lewis
UN programmes have enabled small-scale farmers and agribusinesses to access finance, insurance, inputs, and training, as well as to promote information on market conditions and weather advisories.
By empowering women at the grassroots level with these innovations, the food and nutrition security of rural families is improving.
The UN team was also able to identify practical solutions to enhance gender inclusion, through in-depth discussions with women and men farmers and communities, and in dialogue with local government counterparts.
One of the three interventions visited was IFAD’s PROVATi project, which has increased resilience and sustainability at Kurigram for 303,000 rural families. One of their unique activities was integration of gender-based learning systems to promote behavioral changes in families.
“We are grateful to the government for partnering with us to implement this multi-year project to create an enabling environment for such vulnerable communities,” IFAD Country Representative, Arnoud Hameleers, said about his organization’s initiative.
The mission met with the women farmers of Jatrapur, supported by WFP’s Building Resilience for Zero Hunger project and discussed their engagement in farming activities, adapted to seasonal patterns to mitigate their financial risks.
Domenico Scalpelli, WFP’s Head of Agency, said WFP's role extends beyond just agricultural aid; and they are committed to empowering these women, helping them gain confidence through economic empowerment, and contributing to positive changes in their families and communities.
"This high-level perspective underscores WFP's commitment to not only improving food security but also fostering sustainability.”
Jiaoqun Shi, FAO Representative in Bangladesh said FAO’s Missing Middle Initiative facilitates access to finance and markets.
"We have strengthened the capacities of 55 Producers’ Organisations and their 11000 smallholder members of which 64 percent are female farmers. The project supported them in management, governance, and engagement with agriculture value chains. Our beneficiaries’ financial achievements via a revolving loan fund, common facility center, and our Digital Village Centre to produce inputs, mechanization services, and post-harvest operations are impressive.”
“The work of the UN in Rangpur prioritizes gender equality. Gains have been made in exercising voice and agency. However, women farmers still demanded dedicated spaces for women in markets, farmer cards, seed banks, female-friendly toilets, and the redistribution of the care burden. We also observed how social norms, linked to mobility restrictions, continue to pose a barrier," said Gitanjali Singh, Country Representative, UN Women, stated on the mission.
Russain Federation Council Chairwoman Valentina Matvienko congratulates Speaker Shirin Sharmin
Chairwoman of the Federation Council of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation, Valentina Matvienko, has congratulated Speaker Dr Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury for her re-nomination to the position.
"Please accept congratulations on your re-nomination to the position of Speaker of the Parliament of the People's Republic of Bangladesh," read the letter Matvienko sent to Shirin.
"It provides convincing evidence of your authority as a statesperson, as well as recognition of your efforts in tackling major political and socio-economic issues for the benefit of your country," said Matvienko.
The Federation Council is committed to further cooperation with the Bangladesh Parliament in a wide range of spheres, the letter also read.
"Hopefully, you will continue to apply your rich professional experience and administrative talent for strengthening bonds of partnership between the legislators of our countries," Matvienko also said.
Russian-Bangladeshi parliamentary cooperation will develop in the spirit of mutual respect and serve as an example of equal and mutually beneficial relations, she added.
Our discussions today will strengthen Bangladesh-India Maitri, says Jaishankar welcoming FM in New Delhi
Indian External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar on Wednesday said discussions with his Bangladesh counterpart Dr Hasan Mahmud would strengthen the Dhaka-Delhi relations.
"Our discussions today will strengthen Bangladesh-India Maitri (friendship)," Jaishankar said in a brief message shared from X, formerly known as Twitter.
He welcomed Dr Hasan to India.
Hasan Mahmud is visiting India at the invitation of his Indian counterpart Dr S Jaishankar.
He held a meeting with India’s National Security Advisor Ajit Doval on the first day of his visit.
After the meeting, the Awami League Joint General Secretary paid floral tributes at Mahatma Gandhi’s cremation ground and memorial square at Rajghat.
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