United News of Bangladesh

Former US Ambassador to Bangladesh William B Milam on Thursday lauded the interim government's reform initiatives, saying the July uprising has offered big opportunities to carry out sweeping reforms and establish true democracy in Bangladesh. Jon Danilowicz, who was a deputy ambassador of the US to Dhaka, said Bangladesh needs positive narratives and serious efforts to tackle the menace of fake news and disinformation. Milam and Danilowicz, the president and executive director of a US-based non-profit human rights group, Right to Freedom, paid a courtesy call on Bangladesh Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus at the State Guest House Jamuna in Dhaka. UN rights chief calls for accountability over Bangladesh’s 2024 protest abuses The two former diplomats updated the Chief Adviser about the work of the Right to Freedom and their plan to expand its work in Bangladesh as part of its efforts to assist the country in its democratic transition. Professor Yunus appreciated the work of the non-profit group and also the efforts by the two diplomats to champion human rights and democratic values in Bangladesh. During the hour-long meeting, Professor Yunus told the diplomats that political parties would sign a July Charter after the conclusion of the dialogue on the reforms recommended by the six commissions. "The July Charter will guide us," he said, adding that the interim government would implement parts of the recommendations made in the July Charter and the rest will be implemented by political governments. CA Dr Yunus asks labour ministry to reform labour law maintaining global standard They also discussed the current Bangladesh-US relations, the Rohingya crisis, and the impact of dwindling aid for the much-persecuted Myanmar refugees, recovering billions of dollars stolen during the previous regime, the Chief Adviser's attempt to revive Saarc and possible dates for the upcoming elections. The Chief Adviser said the elections would be held either in December, provided the political parties agreed to fewer reforms ahead of the vote, or by June next year.  

Foreign Affairs Adviser Md Touhid Hossain on Thursday left for Saudi Arabia to join  a special session of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) in Jeddah. The extraordinary session of the OIC Council of Foreign Ministers will be held on Friday, said an official at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. UN to reduce Rohingya food aid by over half from April The session is expected to discuss the progress of the ceasefire in Gaza, as well as address concerns over the proposed annexation of Gaza that would result in the forced resettlement of the Palestinian people from their homeland. Adviser Hossain is scheduled to return to Dhaka on March 8.

The United Nations (UN) will slash monthly food aid for Rohingya refugees in Cox’s Bazar and Bhasan Char by more than half from April due to a funding crisis, the World Food Programme (WFP) informed Bangladesh on Wednesday.  Refugee Relief and Repatriation Commissioner (RRRC) Mizanur Rahman said that WFP verbally communicated its decision on Tuesday before sending an official letter on Wednesday.  The letter stated that since the onset of the Rohingya crisis in 2017, WFP has been providing food assistance to over one million displaced Rohingya living in 33 camps in Cox's Bazar and on Bhasan Char. Currently, refugees receive a monthly food voucher worth $12.50 per person in Cox's Bazar and $15 on Bhasan Char. However, from April 1, WFP will reduce the amount to $6 per person per month across all camps, it added.  Japan, Unicef sign $ 3.3mn deal to strengthen assistance for Rohingya children Citing funding shortages, WFP stated in the letter that it had been trying to maintain the $12.50 allocation per person but failed to secure sufficient donor support. Diplomatic sources attribute the funding crisis to the suspension of financial aid by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). Previously, US funding accounted for nearly 80 per cent of WFP’s support for Rohingya refugees. Following the assumption of office by US President Donald Trump on January 20, USAID funding was halted worldwide, contributing to WFP’s resource shortfall. 

Presenting the fact-finding report in Geneva on human rights violations and abuses related to the protests of July and August 2024 in Bangladesh, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk on Wednesday said accountability is absolutely the key. He laid emphasis on future stability and protection of human rights and said it is a huge chance for the country at this pivotal time to deal with its past and overcome its past to reach a moment of healing and truth telling and that includes each and everyone within the society of Bangladesh. Whatever differences are there, Turk stressed that it is “one country and one citizenship,” and it is a unique opportunity for each and every citizen of Bangladesh. The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights engaged in dialogue with member states and civil society on the findings and recommendations, with a view to promoting accountability, justice, and human rights reforms in Bangladesh. The interim government of Bangladesh and civil society representatives from Bangladesh also participated in the event. Referring to his first telephone conversation with Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus, Turk said Dr Yunus told him human rights is at the centre of the reforms and transition. “Of course this is hard work, no doubt about that. This is not easy.” Pakistan eager to hold foreign secretary level talks with Bangladesh to boost ties The UN human rights chief said that is the right spirit and they all need to grasp the opportunity and support the opportunity towards transition. Responding to a question, Law Adviser Dr Asif Nazrul who was present at the event, said there have been some incidents of political violence against the “torturers, hooligans of the Awami League regime” who oppressed and tortured people for many years. He said there were some incidents where people who were deeply involved with the AL regime were attacked. “We strongly condemned that.” The Law Adviser, however, said most of them belong to the Muslim community and very few people belong to the minority groups. In his concluding remarks, Turk said it is fact that the interim government fully cooperated with them when they deployed their team very quickly at the request of the government. “We will continue to find ways to keep the Human Rights Council informed,” he added.   CA Dr Yunus asks labour ministry to reform labour law maintaining global standard “It will be crucial to ensure due process in criminal cases and investigate revenge violence, including against minorities,” Turk said, while sharing a global update at the 58th session of the Human Rights Council in Geneva recently. Turk said Bangladesh last year experienced a paroxysm of violence as the government of the time “brutally suppressed” a student movement that carried human rights as its torch. “The country is now charting a new future,” he said, adding that their recent independent fact-finding report on the grave human rights violations that took place is an “important contribution” to this journey.

Three hospitals in Kunming, China are fully prepared to offer advanced medical treatment to Bangladeshi patients, marking a new chapter in medical cooperation between Bangladesh and China. “We’re ready to welcome Bangladeshi patients at our designated hospitals and provide advanced treatment,” said Yunnan Province Health Commissioner Wang Jiankun. He made the remarks during a meeting with a 21-member Bangladesh delegation, led by BNP Standing Committee Member Dr Abdul Moyeen Khan, at the conference room of Fuwai Yunnan Cardiovascular Hospital. Jiankun said the first group of 11 Bangladeshi patients will depart for China on March 10. Of them, he said three children will receive treatment at Fuwai Yunnan Cardiovascular Hospital. Jiankun emphasised that China is keen to continue enhancing its cooperation with Bangladesh across various sectors, including healthcare. He assured the delegation that Bangladeshi patients would receive world-class treatment at affordable prices in Yunnan.  Besides, Jiankun confirmed that special facilities such as halal food, accommodation, and a streamlined visa process would be provided to Bangladeshi patients. To address language barriers, he mentioned that each hospital has arranged for interpreters to assist Bangladeshi patients. The three leading hospitals in Kunming designated for Bangladeshi patients are the First People’s Hospital of Yunnan Province, the First Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, and the hospital affiliated with the Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences.  Moyeen Khan raises concerns over BCIM corridor’s strategic impacts, seeks China’s attention These hospitals will offer specialised services in cardiovascular care, complex surgeries, cancer therapy, orthopaedics, and the treatment of kidney and liver diseases. During the meeting, Dr Moyeen Khan expressed his satisfaction with the hospital’s facilities. While Bangladesh is a small country, providing advanced healthcare to its large population has always been a challenge, he noted. The BNP leader thanked the Chinese government for its initiative to offer treatment to Bangladeshi patients in Kunming. “About 90 percent of people in Bangladesh can’t afford treatment abroad, such as in Singapore and Thailand, and many are deprived of essential medical care within Bangladesh,” he said. Dr Moyeen said his party is committed to ensuring better healthcare facilities for every Bangladeshi if it is voted into power in the upcoming election. He also highlighted that Bangladesh requires substantial cooperation from China to modernise and further develop its healthcare sector. The delegation raised several points during the meeting, including reducing treatment costs for Bangladeshi patients, simplifying the visa process, and lowering airfares. Earlier, the Bangladesh delegation visited Fuwai Yunnan Cardiovascular Hospital, one of the three hospitals designated for treating Bangladeshi patients, to observe the medical facilities available.  Upon arrival, the delegation was warmly welcomed by the hospital authorities’ led by CPC Vice Secretary Chai Wei.  He took them on a visit to the hospital’s various departments before they participated in the meeting.

Pakistan wants to hold foreign secretary-level consultations and the meeting of the Joint Economic Commission with Bangladesh as part of Islamabad’s efforts to strengthen the ties with Dhaka. The issues were discussed when Imran Ahmed Siddiqui, additional Secretary (Asia Pacific), Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Pakistan called on Foreign Secretary of Bangladesh Md. Jashim Uddin on Wednesday at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Siddiqui carried a letter from Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Pakistan Senator Muhammad Ishaq Dar addressed to Foreign Affairs Adviser Md Touhid Hossain and handed it over to the foreign secretary, officials at the MoFA said. Both sides discussed the importance of holding the Foreign Secretary level consultations, the last meeting of which was held in 2010 and the Joint Economic Commission, last meeting of which was held in 2005. Discussion also covered strengthening cooperation to enhance trade and reduce the trade gap. No impact on US-BD relations following Trump's claim: Foreign Affairs Adviser Both sides expressed satisfaction over recent visits of several trade delegations from Pakistan to Bangladesh and emphasised on the importance of visits by the product specific trade delegations from Bangladesh to Pakistan. Cooperation in the sectors of tourism, people-to-people contacts, cultural exchanges, the issue of forcibly displaced Rohingyas and cooperation in the international forum were also discussed. Both sides recalled the substantive discussion between Bangladesh chief adviser and the prime minister of Pakistan during their meetings in Cairo on the sidelines of D-8 Summit in December 2024 and in New York in September 2024 on the sidelines of 79th UNGA. They also recalled the meeting between the foreign adviser and deputy prime minister and foreign minister of Pakistan on the sidelines of the Commonwealth Heads of Governments Meeting in Apia, Samoa in October 2024. The importance of strengthened regional and multilateral cooperation through SAARC, OIC, and D-8 was also highlighted. Additional secretary (Asia Pacific) was accompanied by the High Commissioner of Pakistan to Bangladesh Syed Ahmed Maroof.

Chief Adviser Professor Yunus on Wednesday asked the officials concerned to reform the labour law of the country to meet international standards for improving the living condition of millions of labourers employed in different sectors of the country. The Chief Adviser issued the directive during a meeting with the officials of the Labour and Employment Ministry ahead of the 353rd session of the International Labour Organization (ILO) to be held in Geneva between March 10 and 20. Labour and Employment Ministry adviser M. Sakhawat Hossain will lead the Bangladesh delegation in the ILO session. "We have to do everything positive and get things done. We are not here to make an excuse," said the Chief Adviser. The Chief Adviser also asked the officials to ensure insurance coverage and healthcare benefits for workers in Bangladesh's labour sector. No impact on US-BD relations following Trump's claim: Foreign Affairs Adviser Special Envoy to the Chief Adviser Lutfey Siddiqi, who joined the meeting online and is expected to be part of the Bangladesh delegation during the ILO session in Geneva, said that the country has already made significant progress in the labour sector. "There are some extremely positive improvements. But the feeling among experts is that we are yet to be there," he said. Adviser M. Sakhawat Hossain, secretary AHM Shafiquzzaman, Law and Justice Division Secretary Sheikh Abu Taher, and ILO Country Representative Tuomo Poutiainen were present at the meeting. The Bangladesh Ambassador and Permanent Representative in Geneva, Tareq Md. Ariful Islam, also joined the meeting virtually.

Foreign Affairs Adviser Md Touhid Hossain on Tuesday ruled out any possible negative impact on Bangladesh-US relations as Dhaka refuted President Donald Trump’s claim. "I don't see any reason for deteriorating relations with the United States," he told reporters when his attention was drawn about Dhaka's statement over President Trump's claim. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Monday said Trump's allegation that USAID provided $29 million to an organisation owned by two persons in Bangladesh is not true. Hossain said President Trump did not make any allegations against anyone. "We also saw that there was nothing like that." He said no investigation has been done into this but they only tried to know what the issue is. Hossain said they have found that in fact the money is given to an American organization which works with various NGOs here and all the money has come through proper channels. "Here, $29 million has been given to two people, that is not the case," Hossain added. Responding to a question, the Adviser said, "I don’t consider this to be a provocative remark (by US President)." Hossain said they do not see any need to exaggerate the issue. Foreign Adviser hopes for quick resolution of visa issues with India When asked about the use of the word ‘untrue’ in Bangladesh’s statement, Hossain said, "It can be said. Since we have not found anything. There is nothing like that. So it was mentioned that it's not correct." "Such projects are executed under the Development Objective Assistance Agreement (DOAG) between Bangladesh and the US, ensuring no individual influence in the decision-making process," said the MoFA in its statement on Monday. Addressing the White House Governors Working Session on February 20, Trump claimed that the $29 million USAID fund landed with an obscure firm that he said was "a little outfit" with just two employees. "Two people! They're very happy. Very rich. They'll be on the cover of a top business magazine -- for being great scammers," quipped the US president. At another event on February 21, Trump again accused the agency of funneling $29 million to prop up a "radical left communist" in Bangladesh. During President Trump's first term, USAID selected Democracy International (DI), a US-registered organisation -- to implement the project. Multiple international organisations participated in a competitive bidding process, and USAID made its decision transparently. Initially, SPL was a five-year project with a budget of $14 million. It was managed by USAID and co-funded by the UK's development agency DFID (now FCDO), which committed $10 million.

Foreign Affairs Adviser Md Touhid Hossain on Tuesday expressed his hope over normalisation of visa issue with India but stressed that the decision to issue a visa is considered a "sovereign right" of a country. "We did not create visa complications. India has stopped it for whatever reason. It is their sovereign right.... ," he said, adding that if a country does not issue a visa to anyone or to any group, no question can be raised about it as it is their decision. Talking to reporters at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Hossain said they hope that India will announce their decision or step up their activities so that people who want to go to India can get visas. The Foreign Adviser said what Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus said is completely the position of Bangladesh. "We have always said we want a good working relationship (with India) on the basis of reciprocity and mutual respect," he said, adding that is the reflection of their clear position. Highlighting historical close ties, Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus told BBC Bangla that there is no alternative to maintaining a good relationship between Bangladesh and India, as there had been some clouds in the relations that mainly came through propaganda. No alternative to strong Bangladesh-India ties: Dr Yunus "Some conflicts had been seen in the midway. I would say some clouds were seen. These clouds mostly came through propaganda. Others will judge the sources of those as propaganda," he told BBC Bangla in an interview published on Monday. Responding to a specific question, Dr Yunus said the relations between the two neighbours are in very good shape and there has been "no deterioration". Following that, Dr Yunus said, there had been some misunderstandings. "We are trying to overcome these misunderstandings. There is no problem in our basic relationship," Dr Yunus said. The Chief Adviser said he had always explained that the relations between Bangladesh and India are so deep, still the relationship is in good shape and it will remain good in the future. "There is no alternative to maintain good relations between the two countries," said Dr Yunus. He said that the relationship between Bangladesh and India is "historically, politically and economically" are very close and they "cannot deviate" from this. He said there is continuous communication between the two countries. The Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi sent a message to Chief Adviser Prof Yunus, later they had a telephone conversation, and Modi invited Prof Yunus to join the third Voice of Global South Summit hosted virtually by New Delhi on August 17 last year.

Canadian Hig Ecosystems Restoration for Community Resilience” project, which will empower communities in the Chittagong Hill Tracts to protect their environment while strengthening their resilience to climate change. “By investing in biodiversity restoration, we are not only safeguarding natural ecosystems but also ensuring sustainable livelihoods for future generations. This initiative reflects Canada’s commitment to environmental conservation, gender equality, and inclusive development in Bangladesh,” said the High Commissioner. The new initiative, Biodiversity Ecosystems Restoration for Community Resilience (BERCR), was launched at the Rangamati Hill District Council Conference Room on Tuesday. Implemented by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) with support from Global Affairs Canada, the initiative aims to restore biodiversity and strengthen community resilience in the Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT). It will benefit 182,000 people, including members of the Chakma, Marma, and Tripura communities, with a strong emphasis on empowering women-led households and enhancing climate adaptation measures. Resident Representative of UNDP Bangladesh Stefan Liller and Chairman of the Rangamati Hill District Council agriculturist Kazi Talukder spoke as special guests. First eleven medical tourists to China to leave March 10 The event was chaired by Prodip Kumar Mahottam, NDC, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Chittagong Hill Tracts Affairs. Speaking at the event, Stefan Liller emphasized the importance of collaborative efforts in restoring biodiversity and ensuring sustainable development in the CHT. In the CHT, he said, Canadian development assistance has been vital in supporting work that promotes self-reliance, decentralization, and sustained peace, significantly impacting thousands by breaking down educational barriers for girls and women and enhancing climate resilience through nature-based solutions. “The BERCR initiative represents a crucial step towards building climate resilience, reducing environmental degradation, and improving livelihoods for thousands of people in the Chittagong Hill Tracts. This is a powerful example of how partnerships between governments, development agencies, and local communities can create lasting change,” he added. The Chittagong Hill Tracts face complex development challenges, including poverty, deforestation, land degradation, and climate change vulnerabilities. In response, the BERCR initiative will introduce nature-based solutions to combat these threats, focusing on sustainable land management, water conservation, and reforestation. The launch event underscored the critical role of multi-stakeholder collaboration in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). UNDP reaffirmed its commitment to working alongside the Government of Bangladesh, Canada, and local communities to drive impactful change in the CHT. Among others, Chakma King Debashish Roy, Naie U Prue Mary, Rangamati Hill District Councillor, Prodip Kumar Mahottam, ndc, Additional Secretary, MoCHTA, Kazal Talukdar, Chairman Rangamati Hill District Council also spoke.