Foreign-Affairs
Southeast Asian MPs condemn barbaric executions of 4 political prisoners in Myanmar
The recent executions of four political prisoners at the hands of the illegal military junta in Myanmar is an act of judicial barbarism, Parliamentarians from Southeast Asia have denounced on Monday, after the state media announced that the death sentences have been carried out on an unspecified date at Insein Prison, in Yangon.
The four executed men, all charged under anti-terrorism laws, are Phyo Zeya Thaw, former lawmaker for the National League for Democracy (NLD); the prominent activist Kyaw Min Yu, widely known as ‘Ko Jimmy’; Aung Thura Zaw; and Hla Myo Aung.
These death sentences are the first known judicial executions in Myanmar since 1988, according to Amnesty International, which hitherto has considered the country as “Abolitionist in Practice”.
“These executions are nothing but appalling acts of evil committed by a brutal junta that has shown no qualms about waging a war against the Myanmar population in order to cement its power. The global community, and all ASEAN members in particular, should take these cold-blooded assassinations as yet another wake up call on the true nature of the regime of terror that the Myanmar military is attempting to impose in the country,” said Eva Sundari, former member of the House of Representatives in Indonesia and Board Member of ASEAN Parliamentarians for Human Rights (APHR).
According to the Myanmar group Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (AAPP), as of 22 July there were 76 prisoners in Myanmar sentenced to death, including two children, while 41 people have been given the death penalty in absentia.
Since the coup on 1 February 2021, at least 2114 people have been killed by the self-styled State Administration Council (SAC), led by General Min Aung Hlaing, in its campaign to suppress the widespread opposition to military rule.
Read: Myanmar executes NLD lawmaker, 3 other political opponents
These death sentences should be viewed as an attempt by the Myanmar military to provide a veneer of legality to political assassination.
Yet it is evident that these sentences were handed without fairness, by military tribunals conducting trials lacking in any respect for due process, APHR denounced.
“It is clear that these executions are made to strike fear among representatives of the democratic forces and political activists who oppose the junta . We believe that all those accused by the military junta are tried in secret, unfair and biased trials with no legal safeguards. Many political prisoners are subjected to torture and other forms of cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment, and now there are dozens of prisoners in Myanmar jails who could be executed at any moment,” said Tom Villarin, former Philippine MP and APHR Board Member.
“Not even the previous military regime, which ruled the country between 1988 and 2011, dared to carry out the death penalty against political prisoners. This means yet another increase in the junta’s brutality, which comes from a sense of impunity largely fostered by the failure of the global community to do anything effective to prevent it from committing further atrocities,” said Charles Santiago, Member of Parliament from Malaysia, and APHR Chairperson.
The executions also serve as proof that the SAC led by Min Aung Hlaing has no intention to engage in any meaningful political dialogue with the pro-democracy forces led by the National Unity Government of Myanmar (NUG). Such a dialogue, one of the key points of the Five-Point Consensus agreed by ASEAN member states and Min Aung Hlaing’s junta in April 2021, has never materialized.
The Consensus also called for an immediate cessation of violence, something that the Myanmar military, which continues shelling villages and killing protesters, has also failed to implement.
Yet the Myanmar military, in its all-out war over its people is committing “systematic and widespread human rights violations and abuses” that may amount to “war crimes and crimes against humanity,” according to the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights.
“The junta’s contempt for the agreement it signed is clear, especially considering that the announcement of these executions comes two weeks after the Special Envoy of the ASEAN Chair to Myanmar, Cambodian Foreign Minister Prak Sokhonn, visited the country. The Special Envoy, and ASEAN members, should condemn these executions, and seriously rethink their approach to the crisis in Myanmar. For starters, they should begin exerting pressure on the SAC with targeted sanctions and travel bans in the region in order to show Min Aung Hlaing and his men that they cannot commit their crimes with impunity,” said Kasit Piromya, former MP and Foreign Minister in Thailand, and APHR Board Member.
PM Hasina invited to visit Japan
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is likely to visit Japan this year as the two countries want to further strengthen the relations.
"Our Prime Minister has been invited. It will be a priority visit," State Minister for Foreign Affairs Md Shahriar Alam told reporters on Sunday after his meeting with parliamentary vice-minister for foreign affairs of Japan Honda Taro.
The State Minister said the visit will take place at a time convenient to the both sides.
Read: Japanese parliamentarian, JICA president meet FM
He termed the relations between Bangladesh and Japan very deep and comprehensive.
The two sides discussed ways to strengthen political and economic relations with continued support from Japan to Bangladesh in the post-LDC era.
They also discussed ways to expedite Rohingya repatriation efforts apart from cooperating towards mega projects.
The Japanese parliamentary vice-minister termed his meetings with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen fruitful and meaningful.
They also discussed issues related to cooperation in international fora, including the United Nations.
Japanese parliamentarian, JICA president meet FM
Honda Taro, parliamentary vice-minister for foreign affairs of Japan, and Tanaka Akihiko, president of Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), met Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen in Dhaka Sunday.
Read: Chinese envoy meets FM
At the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, both sides discussed bilateral issues of mutual interests.
They also discussed issues related to Rohingya repatriation and cooperation in international fora, including the United Nations.
Bangladesh, Kenya to partner in farming, air connectivity, blue economy
Bangladesh and Kenya have agreed to develop cooperation in contract farming, air connectivity, blue economy and food security.
The countries also want to strengthen cooperation between their investment authorities apart from exploring opportunities in technical exchanges, education sector and youth cooperation.
A 10-member delegation led by Moi Lemoshira, additional secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Kenya, joined the first foreign office consultations with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA), Bangladesh on Sunday.
The delegation will also have meetings with government agencies and apex chambers and visit export processing zones and manufacturing industries in Bangladesh. It comprises the additional secretary of the foreign ministry, the high commissioner of Kenya in New Delhi and other officials of the Kenyan government.
Read: Bangladesh, Kenya sign 2 MoUs
The consultations held at the Foreign Service Academy were presided over by Mashfee Binte Shams, secretary (east) of MoFA, and Lemoshira.
During the foreign office consultations, Lemoshira mentioned that the consultations will help identify new areas of cooperation and strengthen the existing relations.
He said apart from diplomatic ties, the necessities of augmenting relations in trade and economic areas are being increasingly felt.
Mashfee Binte Shams said there may be exchanges of knowledge and training in agriculture, IT, women empowerment and UN peacekeeping. She also highlighted the importance of the exchange of trade delegations.
The Kenyan side expressed interest to initiate cooperation between the foreign service academies of the two countries. Lemoshira emphasised establishing joint economic cooperation and signing joint trade agreements.
Both sides also pledged to continue cooperation at bilateral and multilateral platforms like the UN, the Commonwealth and the Indian Ocean Rim Association.
At the end of the meeting, Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen and Lemoshira signed agreements on bilateral political consultations and cooperation between foreign service academies.
Chinese envoy meets FM
Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh Li Jiming met Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen on Sunday at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
At the meeting, both sides discussed bilateral issues of mutual interests as well as the issue of repatriation of Rohingyas, said the MoFA.
Bangladesh, Kenya sign 2 MoUs
Bangladesh and Kenya on Sunday signed two memoranda of understanding to further strengthen cooperation between the two countries.
The two MoUs were signed on cooperation between Foreign Service Academies and Political Consultations between the Foreign Ministries of the two countries.
Bangladesh, Russia for stronger cooperation in tourism
Bangladesh and Russia are exploring ways to strengthen cooperation in the tourism sector.
A webinar titled "New horizons for Bangladesh-Russia Tourism Relationship through new dimensions of tourism cooperation with Murmansk Region" was held Saturday.
The event was organised by the Committee on Tourism of Murmansk with the support of the Russian House in Dhaka.
Abu Sufian, editor of travel magazine Vromon, and Olga Yumatova, an aide to the governor of Murmansk, moderated the webinar.
The representatives from Murmansk, Bangladesh tourism companies,and officials from both sides highlighted the natural beauty, tourist safety and potentials of their countries and shared their presentations.
Read: Moscow lauds Dhaka's commitment to friendly ties with it
Ekaterina Semenova, chargé d'affaires of the Russian Embassy in Dhaka, attended the webinar as the chief guest, and Maxim Dobrokhotov, head of the Russian House, as special guest.
MGR Nasir Majumder, director and in charge of Tourism Development of Federation of Bangladesh Chamber of Commerce and Industries, Mohammad Ali Mia, inspector general and head of Tourist Police, and Saidur Rahman, director of the Passport and Immigration Department, were also present.
Managing directors of 5-star hotels in Bangladesh and media persons also participated in the discussion.
Elena Bass, chief executive officer of Compass Tours and Travels, and Saif Ali Khan, managing director of Global Explore, working with Russia since 2017, spoke about opportunities in Bangladesh for further development of tourist exchanges.
Food & energy security, trade to get priority at D-8 Council of Ministers’ talks
Food and energy security, trade, tourism and climate change are some of the areas that will get focus at the 20th session of the Council of Ministers of D-8, also known as Developing-8, to be hosted by Bangladesh on July 27.
While briefing the media on Sunday, Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen said energy and food security is a global issue that will be discussed at the meeting as there is much scope for cooperation in these areas.
“We are giving much importance on food security. Food security issue will be discussed largely. We would like to share our expertise with other friends. There is a much scope for cooperation,” he said.
On energy security, Momen said it is being discussed everywhere and it remains a hot topic globally. “We must ensure energy security. It will be discussed.”
He said though some of the D-8 countries showed maturity in the tourism sector, Bangladesh has scope to do more and gain through cooperation.
Momen said though the intra-trade is growing the D-8 countries can do more on this front.
“We will discuss on how the trade can further be expanded,” he said, adding that the intra-trade is likely to be boosted through proper implementation of the D-8 Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA).
The D-8 Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA), signed on 13th May, 2006 in Bali, Indonesia is regarded as one of the most tangible outcomes of D-8 cooperation in trade.
Read:Pak HC removes distorted photo amid Dhaka’s objection
The agreement has been a manifestation of the mutual desire to deepen trade relations among Member States and marked the beginning of economic dialogue at a higher level.
The PTA, after many rounds of discussions and multilateral negotiations, became effective as of 25th August, 2011 onwards.
The foreign minister said the D-8 meeting to be held on July 27 will take decision about Azerbaijan’s membership.
He said some foreign ministers of the D-8 countries will be represented by their colleagues at the meeting.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is expected to inaugurate the meeting joining it virtually, Momen said.
Bangladesh will also host the 45th session of the D-8 Commission from July 25 to 26.
The D-8, also known as Developing-8, is an organization for development cooperation among Bangladesh, Egypt, Indonesia, Iran, Malaysia, Nigeria, Pakistan and Turkey.
The establishment of D-8 was announced officially through the Istanbul Declaration of Summit of Heads of State/Government on June 15, 1997.
The objectives of D-8 Organization for Economic Cooperation are to improve member states’ position in the global economy, diversify and create new opportunities in trade relations, enhance participation in decision-making at international level, and improve standards of living.
Pak HC removes distorted photo amid Dhaka’s objection
Amid Dhaka’s objection, Pakistan High Commission in Dhaka has removed its cover photo from the mission’s Facebook page that used a distorted version of Bangladesh’s national flag.
The Pakistan High Commission removed the cover photo on Sunday, a day after Bangladesh’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs conveyed the objection.
During the media briefing on the 20th session of the Council of Ministers of D-8, Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen said they (Dhaka) did not like the picture that the Pakistan High Commission in Dhaka used on its Facebook with the national flag of Bangladesh linked with the flag of Pakistan.
Read: Concert for Bangladesh made the world aware of Liberation War: FM
Responding to a question, Momen said they (Pakistan) have uploaded pictures of few other countries’ flags on various mission pages.
In this regard he mentioned diplomatic missions of countries like Sri Lanka, Malaysia, Saudi Arabia and Turkey.
"We have told them (Pakistan) that this is not our choice,” Momen said, adding that they conveyed to MoFA that they did not upload that photo with any ill motive.
The Muktijoddha Manch of Bangladesh on Friday launched a protest against the Pakistan High Commission in Dhaka for posting the controversial image of the Bangladesh flag on its official Facebook page.
Genocide against Rohingya: Bangladesh welcomes ICJ's rejection of Myanmar claims
Bangladesh has welcomed the judgment delivered by the UN's top court on the preliminary objections of Myanmar concerning the application or admissibility of the Genocide Convention in the case between The Gambia and Myanmar.
The International Court of Justice (ICJ) judgment rejected all four preliminary objections of Myanmar on legal and procedural grounds, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) said Friday.
"Bangladesh maintains that the question of international justice and accountability will be critical in finding a durable solution to the Rohingya crisis."
It would also prove to be a confidence-building measure for the sustainable repatriation of the Rohingya to their homes in Myanmar with their legitimate rights restored, MoFA said.