Foreign-Affairs
Asia-Pacific Regional Forum on minority issues to spotlight stronger protection for minorities
The two-day online Asia-Pacific Regional Forum is scheduled to begin in Geneva on Tuesday with a focus on building stronger protection mechanisms for minorities in the region.
The Forum marks the 30th anniversary of the UN Declaration on the Rights of Persons Belonging to National or Ethnic, Religious and Linguistic Minorities.
UN Special Rapporteur on minority issues Fernand de Varennes is scheduled to convene the Regional Forum in collaboration with the Tom Lantos Institute.
“Review-Rethink-Reform is the theme of this year’s Regional Forum. The time has come to reflect on the challenges facing minorities in Asia and the Pacific, the extent their situation has evolved in the last 30 years, and what is needed to build stronger rights protection mechanisms for minorities,” de Varennes said.
Read: Hasina urges joint Asia-Pacific action to meet water-related challenges
The Regional Forum will bring together 152 representatives from 25 countries, UN and regional organisations, academics, civil society groups specializing in minority issues and representatives of minorities from different parts of Asia and the Pacific.
Speakers will include Shigeru Aoyagi, Director of the UNESCO Bangkok, Ambassador Nassima Baghli, Permanent Observer of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation to the United Nations Office and other international organizations in Geneva, Cynthia Veliko, Regional Representative of the High Commissioner for Human Rights in South-East Asia, and Stefano Sensi, Deputy Regional Representative of the High Commissioner for Human Rights in the Pacific.
The Regional Forum for Asia and the Pacific is the second of four regional fora convened by the UN expert in 2022.
Discussions will inform the work and recommendations of the 15th session of the UN Forum on Minority Issues which will take place in Geneva in December 2022.
UN envoy on Myanmar urged to work towards early repatriation of Rohingyas
Bangladesh has called upon the Special Envoy of the UN Secretary General to Myanmar to work towards an early implementation of the bilateral return arrangements for the Rohingyas
"The most durable solution to the Rohingya crisis lies in their safe, sustainable and dignified return to Myanmar," said Ambassador Rabab Fatima.
She urged the UN to scale up its programmes in Rakhine State to support the Rohingyas on their return.
Ambassador Fatima was addressing the General Assembly on Monday following the briefing by Dr. NoeleenHeyzer, the Special Envoy of the Secretary General on Myanmar.
“Five years have passed since the Rohingyas fled home in one of the largest exoduses in recent history. The promise of safe return remains unfulfilled. Not a single Rohingya has been able to return home. 1.2 million of them remain in a state of uncertainty in Bangladesh. Those remaining in Myanmar are either languishing in IDP camps or under constant threat of forced displacement and insecurity,” said Ambassador Fatima.
Read: Aspiration of Rohingyas will never be forgotten: UN special envoy
The Ambassador called upon the UN, especially the Security Council, to respond with urgency to the recurrent and protracted Rohingya crisis including by addressing the root causes of the crisis.
Referring to the efforts of Bangladesh in providing food, shelter, education, health care and protection to the Rohingyas, she called upon the international community to focus on creating the right conditions in Myanmar.
“Efforts on our side alone will not bring about any lasting solution to the problem. What is needed are actions and programmes in Myanmar, to create the conditions conducive for the return of this population, in dignity, to their homes. And that is the most desired durable solution and the aspiration of the Rohingyas themselves,” she added.
In this regard, she also stressed the importance of ensuring accountability for all violations and abuses in Myanmar and called upon the Security Council to monitor compliance of the Provisional Measures issued by the International Court of Justice in the case initiated by the Gambia on behalf of the OIC.
“My government is doing everything in its power to ensure justice to the Rohingya victims. We are providing full support to the International Criminal Court (ICC), and to the Independent Investigative Mechanism on Myanmar (IIMM) in their efforts.”
Ambassador Fatima urged all countries, especially the regional countries, to provide access and cooperation to all the ongoing accountability mechanisms to ensure justice to the Rohingya Muslims; and prevent future recurrence.
Read: Rohingya crisis: International community must enhance support to Bangladesh – India at UN
The Ambassador expressed appreciation to ASEAN for its efforts to find a resolution to the crisis in Myanmar including by early and full implementation of the five-point consensus concluded between the ASEAN and the Myanmar authorities. She called upon the Special Envoy to continue her engagement with the ASEAN member states, and other countries in the region, in securing a sustained political solution to the protracted Rohingya crisis.
The Special Envoy in her briefing expressed concerns at the current situation in Myanmar, which continues to remain volatile with grave impacts on the civilians including the Rohingya Muslims.
While acknowledging the generosity of the Government of Bangladesh, she reminded the international community of its responsibility towards the Rohingyas.
She shared her future work plan in Myanmar which represents a multipronged approach involving the peace, development and humanitarian actors and engagements at both vertical and horizontal level.
Following the briefing, the member States delivered remarks, in which they expressed their full support to the efforts of the Special Envoy as well as the complementary role of the ASEAN.
The member States commended the exemplary humanitarian leadership of the Government of Bangladesh and expressed their commitment to support Bangladesh in its efforts to forge a lasting solution to the Rohingya crisis.
Aspiration of Rohingyas will never be forgotten: UN special envoy
Special Envoy of the UN Secretary-General on Myanmar Noeleen Heyzer has said despite emerging crises in the world, the General Assembly will send a strong message that the aspirations of the people of Myanmar, including the Rohingya, will never be forgotten.
During an informal meeting of the plenary Monday, she said sustainable solutions for the Rohingya people must be built into the design of a peaceful, inclusive and democratic Myanmar.
The envoy discussed last week with permanent representatives of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation's (OIC) Contact Group on the Rohingya Crisis, saying they need swift measures to prevent a lost generation, by providing Rohingyas and others education opportunities, including abroad.
"I hope that these issues will be discussed during the upcoming Summit on Education," she said.
From the tragedy of this conflict, new dynamics have emerged – unprecedented solidarity among youth across all communities to reimagine Myanmar's future democracy, human rights and governance.
READ: WB to provide Tk 255 cr as food aid to Rohingyas: State Minister
"Inclusion of the Rohingya is a part of this new dynamic in ways we have not seen before. The wider political crisis has united people beyond ethnic and religious divides," she said.
The envoy asked for continued commitment, as the people in Myanmar are looking to the international community for support of their aspirations of a new Federal Democratic Union that resets Myanmar's democracy, human rights and governance deficit, and realises the strength in its diversity.
Rohingya crisis: International community must enhance support to Bangladesh – India at UN
As the only country that shares a long border with both Bangladesh and Myanmar, India has high stakes in the resolution of the issue of repatriation of the displaced persons from Myanmar's Rakhine, said an Indian diplomat at an informal briefing on Myanmar at the UN Monday.
The informal meeting was held at the United Nations to hear a briefing by Noeleen Heyzer, special envoy of the secretary-general on Myanmar.
"We commend Bangladesh for hosting a million displaced persons in its territory. We believe that it is important for the international community to recognise and understand the humanitarian burden that Bangladesh continues to face and the efforts it has undertaken to ensure the well-being of the displaced persons," said Indian diplomat R Madhu Sudan at the briefing.
"The international community must enhance its support, financially and otherwise towards the efforts of the government of Bangladesh and also assist in ensuring that issues relating to radicalisation in the camps and other security challenges are addressed in an expeditious manner,” he said.
READ: Possible security threats likely to complicate Rohingya crisis: Experts
"Any instability in Myanmar directly impacts India. The worsening humanitarian situation and incidents of violence have led to an influx of thousands of people from Myanmar across our borders. Restoration of peace, security and stability is therefore of utmost importance to us," Madhu, counsellor at India’s permanent mission to the UN, said.
"As Myanmar's democratic neighbour, India has been invested in strengthening the democratic process in the country since 2011. We have emphasised India's interest in seeing Myanmar's return to democracy at the earliest, release of detainees and prisoners, complete cessation of all violence and resolution of issues through mutual dialogue among all stakeholders," he added.
At the briefing, Noeleen said in her recent consultation with Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh, Malaysia and India, Rohingya youths told her how they continue to be denied opportunities for education in host countries and fear becoming a lost generation.
The special envoy thanked the Bangladesh government and host communities in particular for the generosity towards Rohingya refugees, who were forcibly uprooted from their homes.
"In August, we mark the fifth year since the beginning of the Rohingya crisis. In the absence of foreseeable solutions, the Rohingya crisis will remain a regional problem with the largest burden shouldered by the Bangladesh government and host communities," she said.
Ukraine and rising global insecurity, test for all: UN rights chief
War in Ukraine continues to cause mayhem and destroy the lives of many, and it is everyone's responsibility to limit the global food, fuel and financial crisis that it has sustained, the UN's top rights official said Monday.
Michelle Bachelet was addressing the Human Rights Council Monday in her last session as high commissioner.
READ: Moscow-backed officials try to solidify rule in Ukraine
"We committed ourselves to learning the lessons of the pandemic and to recover better. Eager to avoid the devastating consequences of the austerity that followed the 2008 financial crisis, the international community agreed to change course: building transformative societies and towards greener economies that will be more resilient to crises," the high commissioner said.
"We are now facing a vital test of that commitment. And we need to meet it."
UN chief for working together to build peaceful, inclusive societies
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has urged all to work together to safeguard the human rights of all people and build peaceful and inclusive societies.
“Together, we can realize the vision of a world free of racism and racial discrimination,” he said in a message marking the 100-day countdown to the International Day of Peace.
Every year on 21 September, the UN chief said, the United Nations calls on all people to lay down weapons and reaffirm their commitment to living in harmony with one another.
“Today, as we mark the 100-day countdown to the International Day of Peace, this shared aspiration is more pressing than ever,” he said.
This year’s theme is “End racism. Build peace.” The UN chief said racism poisons societies, normalizes discrimination and spurs violence.
READ: Overseas aid cuts imperil SDGs: UN chief
“We must fight it by countering hate speech, promoting dialogue and addressing the root causes of inequality,” he said.
Each year the International Day of Peace is observed around the world on 21 September.
The UN General Assembly has declared this as a day devoted to strengthening the ideals of peace, through observing 24 hours of non-violence and cease-fire.
Bangladesh Mission in Brunei showcases investment potential
Bangladesh High Commissioner to Brunei Nahida Rahman Shumona has said economic diplomacy plays a pivotal role to advance the economic interest of a nation and Bangladesh needs to use this tool of ‘economic diplomacy’ even more.
She said economic diplomacy is important as Bangladesh is all set to graduate from the status of LDC to that of a developing nation in 2026, and aims to become a developed nation by 2041.
The Bangladesh High Commission in Brunei organized a programme titled ‘Bangladesh: A Potential and Attractive Destination for Investment’ on Monday at the Brunei Hotel as part of the “First Economic Diplomacy Week.”
Members of the National Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Brunei Darussalam, members of other business houses, Bangladesh community members and some Bruneians participated in the event.
The High Commissioner expressed her satisfaction over organizing this event to demonstrate the true potential of Bangladesh’s economy, and the incentives and opportunities the nation offers to attract investment.
The effort will continue, she added, to facilitate the development journey of Bangladesh.
READ: 'Bangabandhu Bangladesh Book Corner' launched in Brunei
Jelal Hossain, Counsellor (Labour) and Head of Chancery of the High Commission made a presentation on ‘Foreign Investment Climate: Tapping the Untapped Human Resources’.
He narrated the opportunities and benefits of investing in Bangladesh, different sectors of investment, and human resources of Bangladesh.
Tanmoy Majumder, Counsellor (Political) delivered another presentation where he highlighted the recent picture of Bangladesh economy, recent statistics of foreign direct investment in Bangladesh, reasons behind rising investment in Bangladesh, the success of the present government in implementing various development projects in Bangladesh including ‘Padma Bridge’, Bangladesh’s potential for becoming the next technology outsourcing destination in South Asia region etc.
A networking event was also arranged where the invited businessmen and other stakeholders talked to one another and got the opportunity to increase their knowledge and understanding about the true investment potential of Bangladesh.
Dhaka studies IPEF focusing on country's interest: FM
Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen has said Bangladesh is still studying the different aspects of recently launched Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for Prosperity (IPEF) to know what such initiative does offer.
He made the remarks while responding to a question when a small group of reporters approached him to know Bangladesh’s stand and whether it will be beneficial for the country to join.
Also read: Pursuing economic diplomacy to contribute to timely attainment of SDGs: FM
“We’ll work to protect our own country’s interest,” Momen said on Sunday, adding that many may give different suggestions.
He said they have a leader like Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina who never compromises with the country’s interest.
Momen also referred to her decision to build Padma Bridge with own resources. “We’re very happy that we have very strong leadership.”
Earlier, US ambassador to Bangladesh Peter Hass said there will be opportunities for other countries to join in the recently launched IPEF.
There have been consultations with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in March regarding the IPEF and the ambassador hoped that Bangladesh will follow it closely.
US President Joe Biden launched the IPEF with a dozen initial partners: Australia, Brunei, India, Indonesia, Japan, Republic of Korea, Malaysia, New Zealand, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam. Together, they represent 40% of world GDP.
The framework will focus on four key pillars - connected economy, resilient economy, clean economy and fair economy - to establish high-standard commitments that will deepen US’ economic engagement in the region, according to White House fact sheet.
Responding to a question, the foreign minister said they will also listen to advice that comes from others as there is no problem to hear.
Talking about various aspects of the IPEF, he said the initiative put emphasis on supply chain resilience, data management, combating corruption and money laundering and free and fair trade in the Indo-Pacific.
Momen said Bangladesh has no observation regarding supply chain and inclusive and open navigation in indo-pacific area for free trade. “We also want no disruption in the supply chain.”
Also read: FM Momen rues long delay in Teesta deal with India
The foreign minister said it is a good sign that IPEF wants to put emphasis on the money laundering issue as most of the banks in western countries do not disclose account information of foreign nationals due to their privacy acts.
Responding to a question, the foreign minister said they will also listen to advice that comes from others as there is no problem to hear.
Talking about various aspects of the IPEF, he said the initiative put emphasis on supply chain resilience, data management, combating corruption and money laundering and free and fair trade in the Indo-Pacific.
Momen said Bangladesh has no observation regarding supply chain and inclusive and open navigation in indo-pacific area for free trade. “We also want no disruption in the supply chain.”
The foreign minister said it is a good sign that IPEF wants to put emphasis on the money laundering issue as most of the banks in western countries do not disclose account information of foreign nationals due to their privacy acts.
JICA wants to install Incinerator plants to dispose medical waste
Development assistance organization Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) is interested in establishing incinerator plants to dispose of medical wastes produced in hospitals under the city corporation areas.
It is also interested in installing a new water treatment plant following the public-private partnership (PPP) funding model at Chattogram Water Supply and Sewerage Authority (WASA), said Japanese Ambassador to Bangladesh Ito Naoki.
The ambassador expressed the interest to Local Government, Rural Development and Co-operatives Minister Md Tajul Islam during his visit at the ministry on Sunday.
Also read: Stronger JICA cooperation sought for Bangladesh's development
The minister welcomed the proposal to establish a water treatment plant and incineration plant with Japan’s aid. He said “The ministry will inform its decision in this regard after the proposal is formally made through a letter.”
Tajul said,” Various initiatives have been taken to bring medical waste under proper management. The government has directed all the public-private medical and diagnostic centres to disinfect their medical waste and give it to waste collectors in prescribed bags instead of throwing it just anywhere.”
He added that the public needs to be aware of medical waste as well as industrial waste and electronic waste. “If these wastes can be disposed of in an echo-friendly manner, it will be possible to prevent pollution,” he said.
Also read: JICA to hold stakeholders meeting for energy-power master plan
Japan has provided a lot of assistance for the development of Bangladesh and that cooperation will continue in the future as well, said Ambassador Ito.
“Bangladesh has a long history of friendly relations with Japan,” he said and expressed hope that this relationship would be further strengthened in the future.
Special move is under way for return of Bangladeshi workers to Bahrain: Envoy
The government of Bahrain has agreed to allow 161 stranded Bangladeshi workers back to Bahrain under a special arrangement after six months of Bangladesh’s request.
Bangladesh Embassy in Manama has requested the Bangladeshis, who remain out of the list, not to get frustrated but try to convince their owners or sponsors in Bahrain for their re-entry.
Also read: Malaysia to start taking workers from Bangladesh this month: Minister
“It’s unfortunate but true that most of the sponsors are not willing to bring them (Bangladeshi workers) back to Bahrain (due to Covid-related economic problem),” said Bangladesh Ambassador to Bahrain Dr. Md. Nazrul Islam in a Facebook live recently, noting that number that remains out of the approved list is over 800.
He said the embassy will inform all if the Bahrain government allows more Bangladeshis to return to Bahrain.
The ambassador said no decision has been made yet regarding opening of new visas. “We are working on that.”
It was announced that the sponsors who are trying to bring their stranded 161 Bangladeshi workers back to Bahrain can follow the prescribed procedure to avoid facing the difficulties in the e-visa platform.
Also read: Qatar keen to recruit workers from Bangladesh during FIFA World Cup
The sponsors who have business accounts with the immigration can directly use the e-visa platform, said the embassy.
The sponsors who do not have a business account with the immigration can apply for a visit visa in person with the necessary documents on behalf of their workers.