United News of Bangladesh

UN experts on Wednesday called for urgent action to support the humanitarian response to the hosting of Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh, recognising the shared responsibility of the international community. “Statelessness affecting Rohingya refugees and the protracted situation of displacement contributes to serious risks of human trafficking with devastating consequences for victims,” said the experts who are in contact with the government of Bangladesh. They are Siobhan Mullally, Special Rapporteur on trafficking in persons, especially women and children; Gehad Madi,  Special Rapporteur on the human rights of migrants; Claudia Flores (Chair), Ivana Krstic (Vice-Chair), Dorothy Estrada-Tanck, Haina Lu, and Laura Nyirinkindi, Working Group on discrimination against women and girls. Recent reports indicate that two boats carrying more than 500 people may have capsized off the coast of Myanmar in recent days, following departure from Myanmar’s Rakhine State in late June. The boats were carrying mostly Rohingya passengers, reportedly including some who had travelled from refugee camps in Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh. In 2025, more than 6,500 Rohingya refugees embarked on perilous maritime journeys, with an estimated 900 people losing their lives. An estimated 66 per cent of those embarking on those journeys are women and children. One in seven were reported missing or dead in the Andaman Sea and Bay of Bengal - the highest mortality rate worldwide of any route for refugee and migrant sea journeys. Bangladesh hosts nearly 1.2 million Rohingya refugees from Myanmar. Limited access to safe and regular migration pathways, restricted access to formal education, and restrictions on employment, and livelihood opportunities are contributing to increased risks of trafficking in persons, particularly among children and young people. Refugee women and girls living in camps face heightened risks of trafficking and gender-based violence, with approximately one in four women and girls having experienced such violence. The experts stressed that the lack of opportunities is exploited by trafficking networks, including armed groups and criminal networks who target Rohingya children and young people, with deceptive offers of employment, education or marriage, and for recruitment and use. Reports indicate that Rohingya refugees rescued on the Andaman Sea and the Bay of Bengal, including children, may be detained for several days at police stations without adequate access to legal assistance, psychosocial support or medical care, despite having experienced severe trauma, including the death or disappearance of family members, according to a message UNB received from Geneva. “Humanitarian organisations provide assistance to persons rescued at sea but are reliant on timely referrals by law enforcement agencies, and are facing reduced capacity due to severe funding cuts,” the experts said. They called for effective measures to prevent human trafficking and ensure human rights-based, gender sensitive, and survivor-centred responses to trafficking in persons, including ending statelessness and ensuring access to employment, education, health care, freedom of movement and comprehensive protection services.

More than 10,000 ultra-poor and climate-vulnerable women across 12 districts have received support to build sustainable livelihoods, strengthen their economic resilience and move towards a life free from poverty through a joint initiative of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the government. The Local Government Division and UNDP jointly organised a national dissemination workshop at the CIRDAP auditorium in Dhaka on Wednesday to present the findings of the economic empowerment and livelihood interventions under the Strengthening Women's Ability for Productive New Opportunities (SWAPNO-II) project, according to a press release. Implemented by the Local Government Division with technical support from the UNDP and supported by the government of Sweden and Marico, the initiative targeted 10,188 ultra-poor female-headed households across 283 unions and 32 upazilas. The participants include women who are widowed, divorced, separated or abandoned, as well as women whose husbands have disabilities that prevent them from earning a minimum income. Speaking as the chief guest, Local Government Division Secretary Md Shahidul Hassan said the government remains committed to expanding women’s access to skills, financial services, economic opportunities and decent livelihoods. He said the experience showed that a well-designed poverty graduation approach, supported by strong partnerships between the government, development partners, non-government organisations and the private sector, could create lasting and transformative change. Joint Secretary of the Local Government Division and National Project Director of SWAPNO-II Dr Md Monirul Islam said evidence and learning were essential for improving public policy and designing future programmes for ultra-poor and climate-vulnerable women. “The findings will help us understand what has worked, identify opportunities for improvement and inform future initiatives aimed at strengthening women’s economic empowerment, sustainable livelihoods and inclusive local development,” he said. Assistant Resident Representative of UNDP Bangladesh Anowarul Haq delivered the welcome address, while Portfolio Adviser at Innovision Consulting Tasmiah Tabassum Rahman presented the assessment findings. Participants emphasised the importance of using the assessment findings to strengthen future poverty reduction programmes and expand sustainable economic opportunities for vulnerable women across Bangladesh.

Highlighting Bangladesh’s interest-driven foreign policy approach, Foreign Minister Dr Khalilur Rahman on Wednesday said Dhaka’s relationship with one country is not a zero-sum game in the context of its ties with another. “Improving relations with one does not mean that relations with another are deteriorating. We have relations not just with one country, but with many countries. This is not like a fight between co-wives. This is an interest-based relationship. Wherever our interests lie, we will go there,” he told reporters at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Referring to the visit of US President Donald Trump’s Special Envoy for South and Central Asia, Sergio Gor, Dr Khalilur described it as "exploratory," saying the envoy would seek a broader understanding of Bangladesh. “He will want to understand Bangladesh. He will speak not only with us but also with many other stakeholders,” he said. Dr Khalilur said Gor is expected to visit the Rohingya camps and noted that the United States remains the largest international contributor to the Rohingya humanitarian response. The Foreign Minister said Bangladesh-US relations are multidimensional and that both sides want to advance the partnership further. Asked whether Bangladesh expected any pressure from Washington regarding the Agreement on Reciprocal Trade (ART), he said, “We do not feel any kind of pressure.” “We will never strengthen relations with one country at the expense of another. We seek to strengthen our relations with all countries while protecting and advancing Bangladesh’s national interests,” Dr Khalilur added. He said Bangladesh had a” successful" engagement with China during Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s recent visit to Beijing and would similarly hope for a successful outcome if the Prime Minister visits India. The Foreign Minister said Bangladesh maintains relations with many countries and will continue to pursue those ties based on its national interests. Bangladesh expressed optimism that the upcoming visit of Gor would help strengthen relations between Bangladesh and the United States while opening up new areas of cooperation. “The relationship between Bangladesh and the US has always been good, and that relationship is becoming stronger under the current government led by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman,” State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam said recently, expressing hope that the visit would add a new dimension to bilateral relations. Gor will meet Prime Minister Tarique Rahman and Foreign Minister Khalilur Rahman and exchange views with leaders of political parties, professionals, and representatives of civil society. “We believe that any high-level US visit will further deepen relations between Bangladesh and the US. We hope that our multidimensional relations will move forward through this visit,” Shama Obaed told reporters at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs recently. The State Minister said she hoped issues related to expanding cooperation in various areas, including trade, economic diplomacy, and people-to-people contacts, would come up for discussion. Sergio Gor currently serves as the US Ambassador to India. Earlier, Ambassador Gor served as Assistant to the President and Director of Presidential Personnel at the White House. Under his leadership, thousands of political appointees across the federal government were hired in record time. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio recently met Dr Khalilur on the sidelines of the ASEAN Regional Forum Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Manila. Foreign Affairs Adviser to the Prime Minister Humaiun Kobir and Sergio Gor were present during the meeting. Both sides discussed ways to further enhance Bangladesh-US bilateral relations. Secretary Rubio congratulated Foreign Minister Dr Khalilur on his election as president of the 81st session of the UN General Assembly. The Bangladesh Foreign Minister extended an invitation to the US Secretary of State to visit Bangladesh.

Foreign Minister Dr Khalilur Rahman on Wednesday emphasised the need to address the "some irritations" that exist in Bangladesh-India relations, noting that the government is currently reviewing the invitation extended by India to Prime Minister Tarique Rahman. “We did not talk about any specific issue. There are some irritations. He knows it. I know it, too. It is very important to resolve them. Everyone understands that need,” he told reporters at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs following a courtesy meeting with Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Dinesh Trivedi. India, which will host the 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi on September 12-13, has invited Prime Minister Tarique Rahman to attend the event, which will focus on global cooperation, trade, and sustainable development. “We are reviewing it now. We will take a decision and inform you immediately,” Dr Khalilur said when asked about Bangladesh's response to the invitation. India's BRICS chairship is guided by the theme, "Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability," reflecting the people-centric and humanity-first approach articulated by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the 2025 Rio Summit. The 17th BRICS Summit was held on July 6-7, 2025, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, under the theme, "Strengthening Global South Cooperation for a More Inclusive and Sustainable Governance." The BRICS member countries are Brazil, China, Egypt, Ethiopia, India, Indonesia, Iran, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, and the UAE. Its partner countries are Belarus, Bolivia, Cuba, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, Nigeria, Thailand, Uganda, Uzbekistan, and Vietnam. “We did not discuss any issues in detail. That is normal because we have time for that. However, regarding the resetting of relations between the two countries, we have said this before, and we both agree on this issue,” the Foreign Minister said. He said Bangladesh and India would move their bilateral relations forward on the basis of sovereign equality, with due consideration for their mutual interests and Bangladesh's national interests. The Foreign Minister said they did not hold lengthy discussions on any specific issue, focusing instead on improving overall bilateral relations. Responding to a question, Dr Khalilur said the Prime Minister had received multiple international invitations and noted that he would travel to New York to attend the UN General Assembly. “We have to look at everything as a whole,” he said. Describing the meeting as a courtesy call, the Foreign Minister said there would be opportunities to discuss specific issues in greater detail in the future. Dr Khalilur also said he had met Indian External Affairs Minister Dr S. Jaishankar in Manila, the Philippines, who was aware of his meeting with the Indian High Commissioner. “We both expressed the hope that, in the coming days, both sides will work to further strengthen our relations,” he said. ‘Things to Move Forward Constructively’

Tripura Chief Minister Dr Manik Saha on Wednesday sent 600 Queen variety pineapples to Prime Minister Tarique Rahman as a goodwill gesture, reciprocating a recent gift of mangoes from the Bangladesh government. The consignment arrived through the Akhaura Land Port in Brahmanbaria around 1:00pm. Packed in 100 cartons, the pineapples were transported by a pickup from the northeastern Indian state of Tripura. Officials from the Assistant High Commission of India in Chattogram received the consignment before handing it over to representatives of the Indian High Commission in Dhaka for onward delivery. The pineapples were later transported to the capital by the pickup. Apurba Roy, secretary of Tripura's Agriculture Department who was present at the port, said the gift was sent in response to the mangoes recently presented by the Bangladesh government. "The Bangladesh government gifted us mangoes. On behalf of our state, we are sending pineapples as a gift," he said.

Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Dinesh Trivedi on Wednesday said there is no problem that cannot be resolved and once Prime Minister Tarique Rahman visits India, things will move forward constructively. "I am looking forward to everything positively- we had a great meeting filled with immense positivity," he told reporters while responding to a question after seperate meetings with Foreign Minister Dr Khalilur Rahman and State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.  Asked about the two separate invitations to the Prime Minister of Bangladesh from the Indian side, the High Commissioner said that is the prerogative of the Prime Minister.  "From our end, I can assure you that we are looking forward to welcoming the Prime Minister of Bangladesh to India. We are very hopeful that this visit will take place in the near future," he said. On pending bilateral issues - Teesta and Ganges Water Treaties, the High Commissioner said, "Today’s meeting was primarily a courtesy call, and it carried the warmth expected of one. However, there is no issue that cannot be sorted out through mutual understanding. Ultimately, at the end of the day, it is about people. Whatever is beneficial for both democracies and their citizens will be prioritised." ​Regarding treaty renewals, both India and Bangladesh have active working groups, he said.  "These working groups will certainly meet and deliberate. As I mentioned, there is no problem that cannot be resolved. The working groups will actively do their part, and once the Prime Minister visits India, things will move forward constructively," said the High Commissioner.  He said they had a remarkably good meeting which is a very positive step forward. "The meetings held in an exceptionally warm environment." ​"I can tell you that historically, culturally, and even in sports—such as cricket—our connections run deep. We discussed all these aspects," said the High Commissioner.  ​"This relationship is truly historical. We share not only our borders, but also our history, culture, and aspirations." "I am looking forward to a relationship whose very foundation rests on mutual, people-to-people benefits for both nations. This is just the beginning, and I am confident we will continue to engage more deeply with each other moving forward," said the High Commissioner.  Deputy High Commissioner Pawan Badhe, officials of the High Commission were also present.  On June 25, the High Commissioner presented his credentials to the President of Bangladesh, and conveyed greetings from the government and people of India and reaffirmed India’s commitment to further strengthening the multifaceted Bangladesh-India partnership for the mutual benefit of the peoples of the two sovereign countries.  India, which is going to host the 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi on September 12-13, has invited Prime Minister Tarique Rahman to attend the important event that will focus on global cooperation, trade, and sustainable development.  

The International Organization for Migration (IOM) on Tuesday said it had assisted more than 3,500 victims of trafficking for forced criminality across South-East Asia, from 39 countries, with the largest numbers originating from Indonesia, India, Sri Lanka, Ethiopia, Kenya, and Bangladesh between 2022 and 2025. Hundreds of thousands of people worldwide have been trafficked by criminal networks and forced to participate in online scams in a multibillion-dollar criminal industry, it warned ahead of World Day Against Trafficking in Persons to be observed on July 30 under the theme "Trapped Behind the Scam." To strengthen its response, IOM called for continued support to assist victims of trafficking through protection, safe return and reintegration, while scaling up efforts to raise awareness of traffickers’ tactics so that people can recognise risks and know where to seek help. Trafficked victims are often lured by fake job ads promising legitimate work abroad. Once they arrive, many are locked inside compounds, stripped of their documents, subjected to constant surveillance, and forced through violence, threats and debt bondage to carry out online scam operations targeting people worldwide. Survivors report enduring torture, sexual abuse, starvation and solitary confinement, IOM said. "People trapped in scam compounds are victims of trafficking, forced to commit crimes through violence, threats and coercion. They deserve protection, not punishment," said IOM Director General Amy Pope. "We must work together to support survivors, stop traffickers and close the gaps these criminal networks exploit. No country can tackle this alone." The scale of the crime is staggering. New United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) data estimates combined annual losses from scam offences across East Asia, South-East Asia, Australia, and New Zealand are between US$ 88.3 billion and $ 114.1 billion for 2025 alone, much of it tied to organised crime, and scam compounds across the region are believed to hold hundreds of thousands of trafficked workers. As trafficking in persons for forced criminality continues to expand across Asia and increasingly beyond the region, IOM has launched its new Regional Strategy Response to Trafficking in Persons for Forced Criminality in Asia and the Pacific (2026-2030). The strategy outlines IOM's vision for addressing one of the fastest-growing forms of human trafficking, with a strong focus on victim protection, prevention, cross-border cooperation and stronger partnerships to disrupt trafficking networks. The message at the heart of this year's campaign is clear: people forced to commit crimes inside scam centres are victims of trafficking, not criminals, and should be protected, not punished. Rescue is only the first step. Survivors often face severe trauma, stigma, debt, missing identity documents and the fear of prosecution, requiring sustained support to return home safely and rebuild their lives. IOM's response includes identifying victims, referring them to protection services, providing direct assistance, coordinating with consular authorities, supporting safe return and reintegration, and working with governments and law enforcement partners to strengthen victim identification, cross-border cooperation and accountability for traffickers.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has sought Malaysia’s support in addressing the country’s gas supply challenge and cooperation with Malaysian state-owned energy company PETRONAS for the supply of Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG). The request came during a telephone conversation between Tarique Rahman and his Malaysian counterpart Anwar Ibrahim on Tuesday, according to a Facebook post by the Malaysian Prime Minister. “We touched on various issues related to efforts to strengthen Malaysia-Bangladesh relations, particularly in the energy and investment sectors for mutual benefit”, wrote the Malaysian PM. “Among the key issues raised was the challenge of gas supply that Bangladesh is facing, which is why he is seeking Malaysia's assistance, including through cooperation with PETRONAS to supply LNG to help meet the country's urgent needs,” he added. In the telephone conversation, economic cooperation, including the progress of investments involving Axiata, and the potential for strategic cooperation with MMC Port were also discussed to strengthen economic relations and open up more opportunities for both countries, said Anwar Ibrahim. He said Malaysia will continue to be committed to strengthening the long-standing friendship with Bangladesh, based on a spirit of mutual respect, pragmatic cooperation, and a commitment to bring benefits to the people of both countries.

At least six Bangladeshi nationals were killed and another was injured in a devastating fire in a shop in South Africa's Eastern Cape Province early Tuesday. Rowshon Ali, a member of Alirtek Union Parishad in Sadar upazila of Narayanganj, said four of the deceased were residents of his union, while another victim hailed from neighbouring Baktaboli union and the sixth victim was from the Rikabibazar area of Munshiganj district. However, he could not provide the detailed identities of the victims immediately. "All of them were relatives. We are deeply saddened by the news," Rowshon told UNB over the phone. He said the fire broke out around 3:00am (local time) in a shop in Tsomo town near Queenstown. However, Narayanganj Sadar Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) SM Foyez Uddin said the local administration has yet to receive any official confirmation of the incident. "We have not received any communication from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. No family member of the victims has contacted us either. We are looking into the matter," he said. Meanwhile, the Bangladesh High Commission in Pretoria expressed deep shock and sorrow over the deaths of six Bangladeshi nationals and the injury of another in the fire incident. In a statement, it prayed for eternal peace of the departed souls, conveyed profound sympathy to the bereaved families and wished a speedy recovery for the injured Bangladeshi national. It said Bangladeshi High Commissioner Shah Ahmed Shafi was scheduled to visit Tsomo town on Tuesday. During his visit, he will inspect the spot, inquire after the deceased and injured Bangladeshis, and meet relevant stakeholders. Shafi will also hold formal meetings with officials of the local administration and South African Police. During the meetings, he will discuss the latest situation, progress in the investigation, necessary assistance for the affected Bangladeshis and further steps to be taken. The Bangladesh High Commission said it remains committed to ensuring all possible support on behalf of the government of Bangladesh for the affected nationals.

Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh Yao Wen on Tuesday said cultural exchanges between Bangladesh and China are an important part of bilateral relations, playing an irreplaceable role in promoting mutual understanding between the two peoples and deepening traditional friendship. He expressed the hope to work hand in hand with the Bangladeshi side to elevate cultural exchanges between the two countries to a higher level. Ambassador Yao met with Cultural Affairs Minister Nitai Roy Chowdhury and State Minister for Cultural Affairs Ali Newaz Mahmood Khyom engaging in an in-depth exchange of views on strengthening cultural exchange and cooperation between the two countries. Secretary of the Ministry of Cultural Affairs Kaniz Moula attended the meeting. The Bangladesh side spoke positively of the fruitful results achieved in Bangladesh-China cultural exchanges in recent years, said the Chinese Embassy in Dhaka. Bangladesh also expressed the desire to further strengthen experience sharing and mutual learning, as well as practical cooperation in fields such as culture and arts, and intangible cultural heritage protection.