Foreign-Affairs
2nd FOC: Dhaka, Bangkok discuss cooperation; logo unveiled
The second round of Foreign Office Consultations (FOC) between Bangladesh and Thailand was held in Bangkok on Tuesday that discussed cooperation on matters of mutual interest in regional and international forums.
Foreign Secretary of Bangladesh Masud Bin Momen and his Thai counterpart Permanent Secretary Thani Thongphakdi led their respective delegations.
Read:New US Ambassador Peter Haas arrives in Dhaka
The meeting reviewed the overall state of bilateral relations including development of cooperation in the political, economic, security, connectivity, technical, consular, cultural and social spheres and expansion to newer areas based on shared interests.
They emphasized on the need for exchanging high level visits and reactivating all bilateral mechanisms to further expand and consolidate cooperation in various fields, said a media release.
After the official talks, the two Foreign Secretaries unveiled the logo for celebrating the 50 years of bilateral relations between Bangladesh and Thailand later this year.
New US Ambassador Peter Haas arrives in Dhaka
Peter Haas, newly appointed US Ambassador to Bangladesh, arrived in Dhaka on Tuesday.
Ambassador Haas replaced Earl R Miller.
Read:Bangladesh to enjoy DFQF market access to Australia in post-LDC period
He most recently served as U.S. Acting Assistant Secretary of State for Economic and Business Affairs.
He previously served as Deputy Assistant Secretary for Trade Policy and Negotiations.
Ambassador Haas also served as Chargé d’Affaires and Deputy Permanent Representative at the U.S. Mission to the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), the U.S. Consul General in Mumbai, India, and Economic Counselor at the U.S. Embassy in Jakarta, Indonesia. Other diplomatic postings include London, Rabat, Washington, Port-au-Prince, and Berlin.
Read:Crimes against Rohingyas: ICC Prosecutor seeks joint efforts to deliver justice
Haas holds a BA in International Studies and German from Illinois Wesleyan University.
He attended the London School of Economics as a Marshall Scholar, where he earned MSc (Econ) degrees in both the Politics of the World Economy and Comparative Government.
Bangladesh to enjoy DFQF market access to Australia in post-LDC period
Australia has officially assured continuation of duty- and-quota-free treatment to Bangladesh exports even after graduation from LDC in 2026, said the Bangladesh High Commission in Canberra on Tuesday.
The commitment came at the meeting of the first joint working group on trade and investment held Canberra recently.
Australia agreed to initiate a study on prospects of greater trade and investment flow for adding dynamism in economic ties.
Formed under the Trade and Investment Framework Arrangement (TIFA) between Australia and Bangladesh, the JWG at its first meeting had productive discussions on general trade issues, trade in goods and services, trade facilitation, promotion of investment, energy and defence collaboration among others.
Read: Dhaka calls for sharing technology, know-how of Covid-19 vaccine production
Over 400 Bangladeshis enter Poland, Hungary and Romania safely
Over 400 Bangladeshis have so far safely crossed the Ukrainian border and reached its neighbouring countries, including Poland, according to the government.
The government of Bangladesh is arranging their repatriation and is in touch with relevant organizations for their return home.
Meanwhile, State Minister for Foreign Affairs Md Shahriar Alam chaired a meeting on Sunday held among the relevant Ministries and Bangladesh envoys in Austria, Poland and Romania to discuss the ways for safe return of Bangladeshis from Ukraine and subsequent return to Bangladesh.
Till today, around 400 Bangladeshis have safely crossed the Ukrainian border and reached Poland, said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Sunday night.
Also read: Around 200 Bangladesh citizens reach Poland, Romania from Ukraine: Shahriar
Among them, 46 Bangladeshis are in temporary shelter arranged by the Bangladesh Embassy in Warsaw.
Crimes against Rohingyas: ICC Prosecutor seeks joint efforts to deliver justice
Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC) Karim A.A. Khan QC has laid emphasis on a collective responsibility which can actually help them move beyond talking about justice to delivering it for the Rohingyas.
“We have to work together to achieve justice. That is what required,” Khan told reporters at a media briefing at a city hotel, noting that justice is an absolutely essential prerequisite for indicating people’s rights.
Read:Fortify Rights wins Anthem Award for Rohingya photography project
Expressing satisfaction over the support he received from Bangladesh so far, the ICC Prosecutor said he looks forward to working with all in Bangladesh, international community and the Rohingyas so that they can actually move forward.
This was Khan’s first visit to Bangladesh in his capacity as ICC Prosecutor and he said the challenge is to move beyond talk and to get actions and results so that “we can get the justice that we need.”
Fortify Rights wins Anthem Award for Rohingya photography project
Fortify Rights and Doha Debates on Saturday won an inaugural Anthem Award for training and supporting Rohingya refugee photographers in Bangladesh, said Fortify Rights.
The project will receive the Silver Award in “Best Local Community Engagement” at an award show that will air live on Monday, hosted by TV and film actor Jay Ellis.
Read: 30 shacks, 15 shops gutted in Rohingya camp fire
A panel of judges, including actors Daniel Dae Kim and Ashley Judd as well as prominent business and organization leaders, selected the winners from nearly 2,500 submissions from 36 countries, according to a media release.
“The Rohingya and all people of Myanmar are in their darkest hour, under attack by a brutal military junta, making it even more important to shine a light on the positive forces for change among the community,” said Matthew Smith, CEO of Fortify Rights.
“There has never been a more important time to fortify support for refugees, and we’re hopeful this award can help us do more of that.”
Fortify Rights Senior Multimedia Specialist Taimoor Sobhan will accept the award on behalf of Fortify Rights and Doha Debates at the virtual awards show that will air live on February 28 at 1 p.m. PT at anthemawards.com.
The International Academy of Digital Arts & Sciences established the Anthem Awards as a new initiative of the Webby Awards to celebrate “the purpose and mission-driven work of people, companies, and organizations worldwide.”
Since 2018, in partnership with Doha Debates, Fortify Rights has provided on-the-ground photography and media skills training for three young Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh who are survivors of genocide in Myanmar.
The organization equipped the three “media fellows” – Dil Kayas, Omal Khair, and Azimul Hasson – with mobile phones, which Myanmar authorities forbade them from possessing in their native Rakhine State.
They have since documented their lives in Cox’s Bazar refugee camps on Instagram, amassing thousands of followers. The project won a Shorty Award in 2020 and was a finalist for a 2019 Shorty Award.
Read: UN court to open hearings in Rohingya genocide case
The 23-minute documentary film, EXODUS, produced by Fortify Rights and Doha Debates and directed by Fortify Rights Senior Multimedia Specialist Taimoor Sobhan, delves into the lives of the media fellows as they survive the Rohingya genocide.
Other Anthem Award winners this year include Dr. Jane Goodall “for her lifetime of passionate advocacy for the conservation of the natural world”; American film director, producer, screenwriter, and comedian Adam McKay “for holding up a mirror to society through his work”; and Japanese professional tennis star Naomi Osaka “for claiming her third grand slam title while igniting a conversation about mental health, racial injustice, and police brutality.”
Bangladesh has all good intentions of enhancing, deepening ties with US: FS
Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen has said the relations between Bangladesh and the US have many factors and determinants and will be deepened and broadened through several dialogues, exchange of visits and track-2 engagements in the coming months.
"We have several dialogues, exchange of visits and track-2 engagements in coming months to garner closer understanding with the US," he said, adding that Bangladesh has all good intentions to "enhance and deepen" the ties.
The foreign secretary was addressing a lecture session as the chief guest.
The Bangladesh Institute of Law and International Affairs (BILIA) organised the session "The Dynamics of Bangladesh-USA Relations: Democracy and Human Rights or Geopolitical Interest?" at its auditorium on Saturday evening.
Bangladesh and the US are looking for greater engagements from March 20 with "Partnership Dialogue."
Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen is scheduled to have a bilateral meeting (in-person) with his US counterpart Antony Blinken in Washington on April 4. Security, defence, and trade dialogues are also planned in the coming months.
The foreign secretary said as an emerging developing nation, the socio-economic emancipation and progress of its people remains Bangladesh's priority.
"However, maintaining a strategic balance between major global and regional powers is not an easy job, especially in the context of the rising geopolitical tension, often termed as Cold War 2."
He said the unfolding situation in Ukraine will certainly have further geopolitical and geoeconomic implications.
The foreign secretary said the recent US sanctions on Rapid Action Battalion and related individuals was "unexpected" to many of them. "And clearly the US tried to keep it a secret before the announcement."
However, the pandemic situation also created a gap between the two sides in terms of not having regular dialogues and meetings, he added.
With the political objective to "malign and discredit" Bangladesh, the foreign secretary said, vested quarters at home and abroad have remained engaged in anti-government campaigns in Washington DC and other major capitals for years.
"We believe that the sanctions are unjustifiable, and were imposed based on fabricated and politically motivated inputs given by the same vested quarters," Masud Momen said.
After the sanctions were imposed on December 10 last year, Bangladesh immediately expressed its deep discontent, summoning the US ambassador in Dhaka, he continued.
However, the situation in Bangladesh is a growing area of interest for the US and other western countries due to Bangladesh's "geostrategic significance and growing economic strength," Masud Momen said.
"So, we need to address the aftermath of the sanctions and related issues through a delicate, well-thought-out and comprehensive strategy."
"We need to remain closely engaged with the US through legal and other measures to convince it to lift the sanctions. Also, we will have to positively engage with it in human rights-related discourse to clarify the efforts Bangladesh is making for the promotion and protection of human rights of our people," the foreign secretary continued.
"Bangladesh's law enforcement agencies' success in curbing terrorism, transnational crimes like human and drug trafficking as well as violence against women, children and minorities will be highlighted."
"The progress made in realising the commitments of our government in areas of media freedom and labour law also need to be showcased effectively," said Masud Momen.
Also, he said, there is always scope for further improvement, including taking remedial measures and making a course correction. "And this needs to be pursued as a continuous effort."
Seeking international cooperation in this arena, including from the UN, the US, European Union and other development partners, especially in the form of capacity building and sharing of best practices, would definitely resonate positively apart from benefiting Bangladesh, Masud Momen said.
The foreign secretary said they need to make efforts, internally and internationally, to promote Bangladesh's success stories and present the balanced perspectives as viable alternatives to the one-sided narratives often being projected by certain quarters.
"So, the objective would be to bolster the relations with the US and other international partners, and also to benefit ourselves by maintaining our national values and interest," he said, adding that the civil society actors can always play a constructive role.
Dr Sujit Kumar Datta, associate professor and chairman of the Department of International Relations, University of Chittagong, presented the keynote paper at the event.
Toufiq Islam Shatil, director general (Americas) at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and Dr ASM Ali Ashraf, professor at the Department of International Relations, University of Dhaka, attended it as discussants.
BILIA Director Professor Mizanur Rahman delivered welcome remarks.
Ukraine crisis: No direct impact on Rooppur, other projects, says FS
Bangladesh does not see any direct impact on the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant and other projects now, but the country is keeping close tabs on the overall situation.
"So far, we think, there will be no direct impact on Rooppur or other projects," Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen told reporters after attending a programme in the city Saturday evening.
Read: Around 200 Bangladesh citizens reach Poland, Romania from Ukraine: Shahriar
He, however, said, there might be some effects if the financial transactions are routed through New York.
The Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant is expected to become operational from next year. Originally, the first unit of the power plant was scheduled to open by 2024 and the second one by 2025.
The US and European allies said Friday they were stepping up sanctions over Russia's invasion of Ukraine by adding measures directly targeting President Vladimir Putin and his foreign minister, putting diplomatic appeals to one side as Russia's forces closed on Ukraine's capital, according to AP.
Read: Bangladesh again requests Canada to deport Bangabandhu's killer Nur
Earlier, the foreign secretary attended the lecture "The Dynamics of Bangladesh-USA Relations: Democracy and Human Rights or Geopolitical Interest?" hosted by the Bangladesh Institute of Law and International Affairs (BILIA).
Dr Sujit Kumar Datta, associate professor and chairman of the Department of International Relations at the University of Chittagong, presented the keynote paper.
Toufiq Islam Shatil, director general (Americas) at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and Dr ASM Ali Ashraf, professor at the Department of International Relations, University of Dhaka, attended as discussants.
BILIA Director Professor Dr Mizanur Rahman delivered welcome remarks.
Around 200 Bangladesh citizens reach Poland, Romania from Ukraine: Shahriar
Approximately 200 Bangladesh citizens have so far entered Poland and Romania from Ukraine, said State Minister for Foreign Affairs Md Shahriar Alam on Saturday night.
“We’re in touch with approximately 700 Bangladesh citizens,” he told UNB.
The government’s efforts are going on to help Bangladesh nationals get into Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Hungary and Moldova, all bordering Ukraine, said officials.
Also read: Flight carrying over 200 Indians from Ukraine lands in Mumbai
A team from the Embassy of Bangladesh in Warsaw is working near the Poland-Ukraine border to assist Bangladeshi citizens wishing to enter Poland. The two countries share an over 500 km long border.
Earlier, Bangladesh asked its nationals stranded in Ukraine to contact the country's diplomatic missions in the neighbouring European countries while Poland and Romania came forward to provide temporary shelters for Bangladeshis.
Bangladesh again requests Canada to deport Bangabandhu's killer Nur
Bangladesh has reiterated its call to Canada for the deportation of Nur Chowdhury, the self-confessed and convicted killer of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.
During a bilateral meeting with Canadian Minister for International Development Harjit Sajjan at the Indonesian Lounge in UNHQs on Friday, Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen drew attention of the government of Canada for the deportation of Nur Chowdhury from the country.
Few days ago in Dhaka, Dr Momen raised the same issue with Canadian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Lilly Nicholls.
Also read: Bangladesh reiterates call to Canada for deportation of killer Nur Chy
"We understand it’s an important issue for Bangladesh. I’ll convey this to my capital,” the High Commissioner told reporters at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Dhaka.
Nur Chowdhury has been living in Canada as a fugitive for close to thirty years.
The Foreign Minister of Bangladesh updated Canadian counterpart Harjit Sajjan about the ongoing situation of Rohingya and sought Canada's cooperation in repatriating Rohingyas to Myanmar, according to Bangladesh Mission at the UN.
The Canadian Minister assured his country's support for the repatriation of the Rohingya and praised Bangladesh's generosity in providing shelter and humanitarian assistance to the the persecuted Rohingya population.
Dr Momen invited the Canadian Minister to visit Bangladesh while the Canadian Minister accepted the invitation and said that he would visit Bangladesh at a convenient time.
The Foreign Minister is now in New York on an official visit.
Also read: Joint committee to work to brand Bangladesh in Canada
He will present Bangladesh’s amended documents to the Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf (CLCS) at the UN on March 1.