foreign-affairs
150th anniversary of first int’l football match played between England, Scotland celebrated
British High Commission Dhaka has celebrated the 150th anniversary of the first international football match which was played between two UK nations, England and Scotland, on 30 Nov 1872.
The High Commission organised a friendly football match to mark the day, with teams made up of British and Bengali staff representing England and Scotland.
Through the anniversary the High Commission celebrated the role the UK played in giving the beautiful game to the world.
The anniversary also neatly fell on St Andrew’s Day, which commemorates the Patron Saint of Scotland.
Read: British High Commission Dhaka turns to renewable energy through solar panels
Cheering on the teams, British Deputy High Commissioner Javed Patel said, “I am a big fan of football and I am delighted we are remembering the beginnings of international football in this way.”
He also said, “Football in the UK is global in every way imaginable. Our national league includes players from all over the world. And is followed by fans all over the world, including here in Bangladesh.”
Javed Patel said football has the power to bring people together, regardless of their age, race, gender, culture, or nationality. “Today, we celebrate that.”
Bangladesh seeks ease of visa process, investment from Guatemala
Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen has proposed to ease the Guatemalan visa application process for Bangladeshi nationals, and explore the possibility to sign a visa waiver agreement for the diplomatic and official passport holders between the two countries.
During a telephone conversation with the Foreign Minister of Guatemala, Mario Adolfo Bucaro Flores, Momen also encouraged investment from Guatemala in Bangladesh.
The Guatemalan foreign minister called Momen today and discussed various matters of mutual cooperation in the bilateral and multilateral fronts.
The foreign minister of Guatemala sought Bangladesh’s support for his country’s nomination of “Holy Week in Guatemala” to be included in UNESCO’s list of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
Read: Protesters burn part of Guatemala’s Congress building
Momen assured him of Bangladesh’s full support, considering the excellent bilateral relations between the two countries.
During the conversation, Foreign Minister Momen expressed satisfaction over the ever-growing bilateral relations between the two friendly countries, based on similar values and principles.
Flores hoped to develop a much stronger relationship with Bangladesh in the coming days.
Foreign Minister Momen hoped for continuous support from Guatemala in bringing a sustainable and permanent solution to the Rohingya crisis by ensuring the urgent return of the forcibly displaced Rohingyas to their homeland in Myanmar.
He also extended an invitation to his Guatemalan counterpart to visit Bangladesh.
Read: Guatemala official: 44 deportees tested positive for virus
The Guatemalan foreign minister also invited Momen to Guatemala.
The two foreign ministers also reiterated their commitment to work together in the multilateral front to address global issues like tackling climate change, displacement of people, ensuring sustainable development, among others.
UN Forum on Minority issues session to be held December 1-2
The UN Forum on minority issues convenes for two days from December 1, with this year’s theme “Review. Rethink. Reform - 30th anniversary of the UN Declaration on Minority Rights.
The 15th session of the forum – the main annual event of the UN system focused on minorities, involving more than 500 delegates – will be guided by the Special Rapporteur on minority issues, Dr Fernand de Varennes, and chaired by Daniel Abwa, Professor of History and Director of Academic Affairs and Cooperation at the Université de Yaoundé 1.
Read more: 360cr people face inadequate access to water: UN agency
“The declaration needs to be better understood, acknowledged and implemented since minorities continue to face denial of their human rights in every corner of the globe,” said de Varennes.
“More than three-quarters of the world’s stateless are persons who belong to minorities, and in many countries around the same proportion are the targets of hate speech and hate crimes. As the UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres also acknowledged a few months ago at the General Assembly’s high-level event on the 30th anniversary of UN Declaration, the time has come to rethink and reform the protection of minorities with the UN showing leadership to address inaction and negligence in the protection of minority rights.”
Most of the world’s violence and conflict target minorities on the basis of their religious, linguistic, cultural, racial and ethnic identities, the Special Rapporteur said.
Officials from governments, the UN, intergovernmental, national and regional organisations, civil society and minority representatives from different parts of the world will be among those joining the forum.
This years’ agenda will focus on the normative frameworks and the mainstreaming of the declaration at the UN; minority rights defenders and their role in promoting principles of the declaration; filling the gaps in the implementation of the declaration and urgent situations faced by minorities.
Read more: Asia-Pacific Regional Forum on minority issues to spotlight stronger protection for minorities
The forum starts at 10am on 1 December with a live performance by a group of minority artists. Speakers will include the High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk; Ambassador Csaba Kőrösi, President of the 77th UN General Assembly; Ambassador Federico Villegas, President of the United Nations Human Rights Council; and Ambassador Kairat Abdrakhmanov, the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe’s High Commissioner on National Minorities.
Discussions at the forum, along the outcomes from four regional forums held during the year, will help the Special Rapporteur frame recommendations to be presented to the Human Rights Council in March 2023.
The forum will be held in Geneva in person and will be livestreamed at media.un.org.
Bangladesh always gets highest priority from India: High Commissioner tells PM
Newly appointed Indian High Commissioner Pranay Verma today said that Bangladesh always gets the highest priority from his country.
“India has a policy for neighbouring countries. But in this regard, Bangladesh gets the highest priority. Bangladesh always gets priority in any case,” the envoy was quoted as saying.
He said this while calling on Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina at her official residence Ganabhaban. PM’s Deputy Press Secretary KM Shakhawat Moon briefed reporters after the meeting.
Read: New Indian envoy meets State Minister Shahriar Alam
The Indian high commissioner said that Bangladesh and India will continue to work together to curb terrorism in the region. He also termed Bangladesh as “a very good friend” of India.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has categorically said that Bangladesh never allows terrorism, adding that terrorism has no religion and boundary.
“Awami League has never tolerated terrorism, and it never allows using Bangladesh’s soil for that purpose,” she said.
No consular service for those circulating anti-Bangladesh propaganda from Canada: High Commission
Bangladesh High Commission in Canada has urged all “peace-loving and patriotic Bangladeshi-Canadians to be cautious of those spreading anti-Bangladesh propaganda from Canada”.
In a notice released on November 28, 2022, the high commission in Ottawa, Canada said that individuals and media involved in anti-Bangladesh propaganda and activities and their promoters, supporters as well as money launderers, loan defaulters, and people engaged in “hundi trade” will not be provided any consular service.
Also read: Momen, Canadian High Commissioner welcome formation of CBAA
The high commission noted that some media and individuals have been engaged in anti-Bangladesh propaganda for long. It particularly mentioned an online TV and its owner in Montreal.
A number of money launderers, loan defaulters, convicts and accused “hundi traders” have been found involved in spreading rumours and propaganda against Bangladesh, the notice said.
Such anti-Bangladesh activities are being monitored and concerned authorities will be notified for proper action in this regard if needed, the high commission in Canada further said.
Also read: Bangladesh envoy to Canada gets promotion.
Bangladesh, Myanmar agree to share prior info on use of airspace near border
Bangladesh and Myanmar have agreed to share prior information on any flying of drones/aircrafts/helicopters at the border of the two close neighboring countries to avoid misunderstandings and any untoward situation.
Besides, they also decided to exchange information about any incident of firing/shooting/explosion/ movement of security forces at the border.
The decisions were taken during the 8th Senior Level Border Conference between the respective border security forces, the Border Guards Bangladesh (BGB) and Myanmar's Border Guard Police (BGP) held at Nay Pyi Taw in Myanmar, that ended with the signing of Joint Records of Discussion (JRD) on November 27.
Major General Shakil Ahmed, Director General (DG) of Border Guard Bangladesh, who led a 10-member delegation at the border conference, revealed it at a press briefing at BGB headquarters here on Tuesday.
Briefing reporters, Maj Gen Shakil Ahmed said that they have taken up the issue of some incidents of airspace violations along the border during the conference. "We also requested our counterpart to share prior information if they need to fly a drone or a chopper in the border area," he said.
After discussion, both BGB and BGP agreed to maintain the border norms and practices and to share information with each other about any incident of firing/shooting/explosion/ movement of security forces at the border including early information of any flying of drones/aircrafts/helicopters to avoid misunderstanding and untoward situation.
The Myanmar side took note of the concerns of Bangladesh on the issues of landmine and electrification of the border fence.
During the border conference, the DG BGB expressed his grave concern over the ongoing unstable security situation in close proximity to the international boundary inside Myanmar and urged the BGP to adopt necessary measures in arresting the situation.
Read more: BGB-BGP flag meeting ends with Myanmar officially regretting border incidents
He also highlighted the need for joint efforts of both forces in curbing the drugs and narcotics inflow to Bangladesh from Myanmar and combating different trans-national crimes including illegal border crossing and sought cooperation from BGP.
The DG BGB also reiterated the national concern about the early repatriation of the Rohingyas, officially referred to as Displaced Myanmar Nationals from Rakhine temporarily sheltered in Bangladesh and solicited appropriate endeavors from the Myanmar side to that end.
Recognizing the significance of information sharing to maintain peace and law enforcement in the border areas, both sides agreed to share information by various means on a timely basis between the designated contact points at various levels.
Both sides also agreed to collaborate with each other actively and effectively to prevent the activities of trans-border criminal gangs by sharing real-time information.
Besides, the conference also agreed that Bangladesh will maintain a 'Zero Tolerance' policy with all-out efforts to prevent illicit drugs and psychotropic substances especially Yaba and Crystal Meth ICE trafficking along the border and the Myanmar side will continue anti-drugs measures following its national drug control policy. Based upon the local situation, both sides agreed to arrange a seminar/symposium about the negative impact of drugs to facilitate public awareness amongst the bordering people, he said.
Both sides also agreed to work jointly to improve the present border situation through information sharing and informing respective appropriate agencies/authorities and pursue to keep the border stable and peaceful for bordering people.
Read more: BGB wide awake along border with Myanmar: DG
Police Major General Aung Naing Thu, Deputy Chief of Myanmar Police Force (MPF), who led a 15-member Myanmar delegation in the conference, emphasized Myanmar's adherence to the Border Agreement-1980 and he urged to enhance bilateral cooperation in combating illicit drugs and psychotropic substances and to prevent illegal border crossing.
He also urged to resume coordinated patrols between the two guarding forces to counter the potential threats posed by terrorist groups along the border, relayed the DG BGB.
BSF hands over body of Bangladeshi farmer after 15 days through Feni border
The body of a Bangladeshi farmer, who was shot and tortured to death allegedly by Indian Border Security Force (BSF) along the Feni border on November 13, was handed over to Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) on Tuesday.
The body was handed over through Bilonia Land port in Feni.
Md Saiful Islam, officer-in-charge of Parshuram police station, said it was sent to Fenir Sadar Hospital morgue for autopsy.
Read more: BSF hands over body of Bangladeshi cattle trader
The deceased was Meshbar, 47, son of Mafizur Rahman of Uttar Guthuma village under the Parshuram upazila.
Victim’s wife Morium and locals said the BSF picked him up from his cropland while he was harvesting paddy on November 13 afternoon.
Morium alleged that the BSF members punched, kicked and beat him when he tried to resist them. At one stage, sound of firing was heard there.
Later, the members of BGB and BSF held meetings for three times over the matter, but the BSF denied the allegation of picking him up.
Read more: BSF hands over body of Bangladeshi teenager after 5 days
The body of the farmer was found lying on the ‘Zero Line’ between the countries on November 16.
Malaysia's semi-government body keen to promote Malaysian timber, furniture in Bangladesh
The Malaysia Timber Council (MTC), a semi-government body, is keen to engage with Bangladeshi timber importers, furniture and interior décor companies, and other stakeholders for updating the Malaysian timber industry about the market potential in Bangladesh.
MTC Regional Representative Arif Nasir and Assistant Manager Nasrul Izan Shahrin visited the Bangladesh-Malaysia Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BMCCI) office in Dhaka Monday and had a meeting on bilateral issues.
BMCCI Secretary General Md Motaher Hoshan Khan and Executive Secretary Hasanur Rahman Chowdhury were present at the meeting.
Motaher discussed the possible ways of collaboration and agreed to work together on issues related to the timber and furniture industry's potential as well as investment opportunities in the economic zones in Bangladesh from Malaysia.
MTC sought cooperation from BMCCI for engaging more with the fast-growing Bangladesh consumer market.
The body also agreed to sign a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with BMCCI in the next Showcase Bangladesh to be held on February 22-23 2023 for the exchange of information and exploring more trade and investment opportunities in Bangladesh for Malaysia.
Motaher assured MTC of the overall cooperation and greater engagement with the furniture and timber industries of Bangladesh.
Bangladesh among 70 countries to join UK in tackling sexual violence in conflict
UK Foreign Secretary James Cleverly has brought together representatives of around 70 countries, including Bangladesh, to drive forward urgent action to tackle the scourge of sexual violence in conflict.
The foreign secretary Monday opened an international conference in London. The two-day event that will end Tuesday put survivors of sexual violence in conflict at the centre of the global response.
Cleverly said the threat of rape and sexual violence as a weapon of war, or as part of its aftermath, should bring immediate international condemnation, and swift action to deter those attacks before they occur.
"Today, we stand in solidarity with survivors, determined to bring justice," he added. "I want to send an unequivocal message to those who order, allow or perpetrate sexual violence against women and girls that "it isn't combat; it isn't strength; it is cowardice."
International survivors, government ministers and representatives of NGOs are also at the conference to share what they have learned and agree on a united response to prevent atrocities from taking place in future.
Fazilatun Nessa Indira, state minister for women and children affairs, Md Hasanuzzaman Kallol, secretary of the ministry, and Saida Muna Tasneem, Bangladesh high commissioner to the UK, are representing Bangladesh.
The delegation also includes human rights activists Shireen Huq and Rani Yan Yan; lawyers Raziya Sultana and Sara Hussain; academic Bina D'Costa and artist Leesa Gazi.
This week's conference marks 10 years of the UK government's landmark Preventing Sexual Violence in Conflict Initiative (PSVI).
The UK has been at the vanguard of efforts to combat conflict-related sexual violence for the past decade, ever since former foreign secretary William Hague and Angelina Jolie jointly launched PSVI in 2012.
Since then, the UK has supported nearly 100 projects across 29 countries – from safe shelters in Bosnia, to judicial support in Iraq and Colombia, and training for peacekeepers in East Africa.
New evidence has shown that an estimated 20 to 30 percent of women and girls in conflict-affected settings experience sexual violence.
India eyes stronger, deeper cooperation with Bangladesh: President Murmu
President of India Droupadi Murmu on Monday said Bangladesh occupies a special place in India’s ‘neighbourhood first’ policy and she looks forward to “stronger and deeper” cooperation between the two countries in all aspects in the coming days.
Murmu recalled the joint celebrations of “Mujib Year” marking the birth centenary of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the golden jubilee of Bangladesh’s War of Liberation and 50 years of the establishment of diplomatic ties.
She made the remarks when newly appointed Bangladesh High Commissioner to India Md Mustafizur Rahman presented his credentials to the President at Rashtrapati Bhavan.
Mentioning the immense political will to take forward the relations, Murmu recalled her recent meeting with the Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina this September in New Delhi and later in London.
She has also mentioned that Bangladesh is India’s largest trade partner in South Asia and highlighted the largest visa operations of India in Dhaka.
Read: Dictionary.com chooses `existential' as word of the year
By welcoming and congratulating the new envoy, President Murmu has said that India-Bangladesh relations are bounded by language, culture, and history and the unique tie is forged in shared sacrifices.
High Commissioner Rahman appreciated for the opportunity to present the credentials and conveyed greetings from Bangladesh President Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
The high commissioner has said Bangladesh remains grateful to the Government and people of India for extending their moral and material support during the War of Liberation fought under the leadership of Bangabandhu in 1971.
The Indo-Bangladesh cooperation had, in fact, begun on the battlefield of 1971, he recalled.
He said that the India-Bangladesh relation has reached a new height and it is described as a model of “neighbourhood relations”.
The envoy assured the Indian President that he would try to further expand and consolidate bilateral cooperation.
Read: Work together to keep 1971 legacy alive: Indian envoy at 'Maitri Alumni Reunion'
He underscored Hasina’s persistent efforts to further promote regional and sub-regional cooperation on a win-win basis.
He thanked the government of India for inviting Bangladesh to the G-20 Summit.
Rahman takes up his India assignment after serving as Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Bangladesh to the UN Offices, WTO and other International Organizations in Geneva from 2020-22.
He was also Bangladesh's ambassador to Switzerland.