bangladesh
UN report details ‘dramatic’ impact on people’s lives due to internet shutdowns
The dramatic real-life effects of Internet shutdowns on people’s lives and human rights have been vastly underestimated, the UN Human Rights Office warns in a new report issued from Geneva on Thursday.
The report urges states not to impose Internet shutdowns.
“Too often, major communication channels or entire communication networks are slowed down or blocked,” the report says, adding that this has deprived “thousands or even millions of people of their only means of reaching loved ones, continuing their work or participating in political debates or decisions.”
The report aims to shed much-needed light on the phenomenon of Internet shutdowns, looking at when and why they are imposed and examining how they undermine a range of human rights, first and foremost the right to freedom of expression.
Shutdowns can mean a complete block on Internet connectivity but governments also increasingly resort to banning access to major communication platforms and throttling bandwidth and limiting mobile services to 2G transfer speeds, making it hard, for example, to share and watch videos or live picture broadcasts.
The report notes that the #KeepItOn coalition, which monitors shutdowns episodes across the world, documented 931 shutdowns between 2016 and 2021 in 74 countries, with some countries blocking communications repeatedly and over long periods of time.
“Shutdowns are powerful markers of sharply deteriorating human rights situations,” the report highlights. Over the past decade, they have tended to be imposed during heightened political tensions, with at least 225 shutdowns recorded during public demonstrations relating to social, political or economic grievances.
Shutdowns were also reported when governments carried out security operations, severely restricting human rights monitoring and reporting. In the context of armed conflicts and during mass demonstrations, the fact that people could not communicate and promptly report abuses seems to have contributed to further insecurity and violence, including serious human rights violations.
Collecting information about shutdowns is difficult as many governments refuse to acknowledge having ordered any interference in communications and sometimes put pressure on companies to prevent them from sharing information on communication being blocked or slowed down.
“The official justification for the shutdowns was unknown in 228 shutdowns reported by civil society across 55 countries,” the report states.
When authorities do recognize having ordered disruptions, justifications often point to public safety, containing the spread of incitement to discrimination, hostility or violence, or combatting disinformation.
Yet, the report describes how shutdowns often achieve the exact opposite, furthering fear and confusion, and stoking risks of division and conflict.
Internet shutdowns also carry major economic costs for all sectors, disrupting for example financial transactions, commerce and industry.
Read: Each union to get high speed broadband internet by 2023: Mustafa Jabbar
Economic shocks provoked by shutdowns are felt over long periods of time, greatly exacerbating pre-existing social and economic inequalities.
“Shutdowns effectively deepen digital divides between and within countries,” the report warns. At a time when substantial development aid is justifiably directed towards enhancing connectivity in less developed countries, some of the beneficiaries of that assistance are themselves deepening the digital divide through shutdowns.
At least 27 of the 46 least developed countries have implemented shutdowns between 2016 and 2021, most of which have received support to increase connectivity.
The report urges States to refrain from imposing shutdowns, to maximize Internet access and remove the multiple obstacles standing in the way of communication.
The report also urges companies to speedily share information on disruptions and ensure that they take all possible lawful measures to prevent shutdowns they have been asked to implement.
“Internet shutdowns have emerged as the digital world has become ever more important, indeed essential, for the realization of many human rights. Switching off the Internet causes incalculable damage, both in material and human rights terms,” said UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet.
Read: Remotest region to connect with broadband internet by 2025: Palak
“When a state shuts down the internet, both people and economies suffer. The costs to jobs, education, health and political participation virtually always exceed any hoped for benefit.”
“What this report clearly highlights is that swift action is needed to end Internet shutdowns, including through more prominent reporting of their impacts, more transparency by involved companies, and ensuring that we all defend connectivity from self-imposed disruptions,” the High Commissioner added.
6 JMB members sentenced to death for killing freedom fighter in Kurigram
A Kurigram court on Thursday sentenced six members of banned militant outfit Jamaat-ul-Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB) to death in a case filed over the murder of a freedom fighter.
Kurigram District and Sessions Court Judge Abdul Mannan passed the order.
The death row convicts are Rajib Gandhi, Riazul Islam alias Mehedi, Firoz Hasan alias Mokhles, Mahabub Hasan Milon, and Abu Nasir alias Rubel and Golam Rabbani(absconding).
Among the seven accused in this case, Saddam Hossain died in a gunfight with the law enforcers while the case was under trial.
Also read: Rajshahi double murder: SC acquits two death-row convicts, commutes sentence of another
On March 22, 2016, some militants attacked freedom fighter Hossain Ali, who converted to Christianity, when he was out on a morning walk in Kurigram town.
After stabbing him with sharp weapons they exploded several cocktails and fled from the spot.
His son Ruhul Amin Azad, next day filed two separate cases under the Explosive Substances Act.
Also read: Police press charges against 29 Rohingyas in Mohib Ullah murder case
On November 5 that year, a charge sheet in these cases were submitted filed and the court framed charges on October 21, 2018.
Flood claims 24 lives in 24 hrs; Death toll now 68
A total of 24 people have died due to flood in different parts of the country in 24 hours till Thursday morning, raising the total fatalities to 68.
Of them, 23 are from Sylhet division alone, according to the Directorate general of Health services (DGHS).
Among the deceased, 20 people have died by drowning in floodwater, two died in lightning strike and one in diarrhoea.
Also read: A week on, flood-hit people of Kurigram cry for relief
The deaths were recorded from May 17 to June 23.
Among a total of 185 flood-affected upazilas, 29 upazilas are in Sylhet division, 16 in Rangpur division, 19 in Mymensingh division and one in Chattogram division.
Sylhet, Sunamganj, Netrokona and Kurigram are the worst-hit districts where 13, 11, 10 and 9 upazilas were affected by flood respectively.
Also read: Cellular coverage restored at 1,166 sites in flood-hit districts
A total of 872 flood shelters have been opened, while 2,006 medical teams are working to provide various health services to the flood-affected people.
Dhaka world’s 7th least liveable city
Dhaka has been ranked 7th in the latest list of worst livable cities in the world in the Global Liveability Index 2022 published by the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) on Thursday.
Dhaka’s position has moved up three spots from last year’s ranking.
The EIU is an initiative by The Economist magazine which provides deep insight and analysis of the economic and political developments in the increasingly complex global environment.
According to the index, Austria’s capital Vienna is the best livable city in the world with a score of 99.1, while Syria’s capital Damascus has ranked as the least livable city with a score of 30.7.
Dhaka’s score in the index is 39.2, better than Pakistan’s Karachi (37.5).
The top ten position in the index have been earned by mostly European cities (Vienna of Austria, Copenhagen of Denmark, Zurich of Switzerland, Geneva of Switzerland, Frankfurt of Germany and Amsterdam of The Netherlands).
Three Canadian cities (Toronto, Vancouver, Calgary), one Japanese city (Osaka), and one Australian city (Melbourne) were placed in the top ten list.
Also Read: PM questions leadership credentials of Tarique Rahman
No cities from the United States (USA) have been able to secure a top spot in the index.
The EIU conducted a survey between February 14 and March 13 of this year before preparing the index. Ukraine’s capital Kyiv has been left out of the ranking due to the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war, while ranking of two Russian cities (Moscow and St. Petersburg) have deteriorated.
EIU prepares the index based on five categories- stability, healthcare, culture, environment, education and infrastructure, which means the conditions of these five aspects of a city translates into the position of it in the index.
The better the situations of these aspects of a city, the higher is its place in the index.
Bangladesh receives record $8.41 bn foreign loans in 11 months
Bangladesh received a record $8.41 billion in foreign loans in 11 months of current FY2021-22, the Economic Relations Division said on Thursday.
At current exchange rate the amount is equivalent to Tk 78221 crore, the highest loan ever in a single fiscal year. The amount is 47 per cent higher than the previous fiscal year.
The ERD officials estimate that the foreign debt will exceed $9 billion by the end of the fiscal year on June 30, 2022.
After the economic crisis in Sri Lanka, there is a lot of talk about Bangladesh's foreign debt.
Also read: Default loans cross over 126 crore: Finance Minister
However, economists and analysts are dismissing the comparison between the two countries. They say foreign debt is still below 13 per cent of Bangladesh's GDP.
In case of Sri Lanka, it is close to 50 per cent.
Economist and researcher Ahsan H. Mansur said, "The leap has been made by receiving more loans than expected from various donor countries and organizations, including the World Bank and the ADB, to offset the effects of the two-year pandemic."
Analysis of ERD data shows that in the last FY2020-21, Bangladesh received $7.10 loan assistance from development partners.
Before that, in the fiscal year 2019-20, Bangladesh received $7.38 billion foreign loan that was the history of the country till FY 21.
Also read: FBCCI seeks loan moratorium till December
Foreign debt has been increasing in Bangladesh since the fiscal year 2017-18. In the same year, it jumped to $6.37 billion. Then in the fiscal year 2018-19 it stood at Tk6.54 billion.
Dengue: 29 new patients hospitalised
Twenty-nine more dengue patients were hospitalised in 24 hours until Thursday morning.
Among them, 26 patients were admitted to different hospitals in Dhaka during the period, according to the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS).
As many as 109 dengue patients, including 101 in the capital, are now receiving treatment at hospitals across the country.
On Tuesday, the directorate reported first death of the season from the mosquito-borne viral disease.
This year, the DGHS has recorded 864 dengue cases and 754 recoveries so far.
Dengue – a leading cause of serious illness and death in some Asian and Latin American countries – was first reported in Bangladesh in 2000 and claimed 93 lives. In three years, the fatality number almost fell to zero.
Read: 5 more die, 2065 infected as dengue nightmare refuses to end
However, 105 dengue patients, including 95 in Dhaka division, died in 2021.
Dengue is found in tropical and sub-tropical climates worldwide, mostly in urban and semi-urban areas.
About 4 billion people, almost half of the world's population, live in areas with a risk of dengue, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Each year, up to 400 million people get infected with dengue while approximately 100 million get sick from infection, and 40,000 die from severe dengue, it says.
"There is no specific treatment for dengue or severe dengue. Early detection of disease progression associated with severe dengue, and access to proper medical care lowers fatality rates of severe dengue to below 1 percent," according to the World Health Organization.
Covid-19: Bangladesh reports another death with 1,319 new infections
Bangladesh recorded another death from Covid-19 with 1,319 new cases reported in 24 hours till Thursday morning.
On Wednesday the country recorded one death and 1,135 cases from Covid-19.
The country recorded over 1000 Covid cases (1409 cases) with 11 deaths last on February 25.
The daily-case positivity rate jumped to 14.32 per cent from Wednesday’s 13.30 per cent as 9,214 samples were tested during the period, according to the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS).
Also read: Global Covid cases surpass 546 million
The country’s total caseload rose to 1,960,528 while the total fatalities reached 29,135 with the new numbers, it said.
The deceased was a woman, aged 61-70, hailing from Dhaka division.
The mortality rate remained static at 1.49 per cent. The recovery rates declined to 97.29 per cent from Monday’s 97.34 per cent as 122 patients recovered during this period.
In May, the country reported only four Covid-linked deaths and 816 new cases, while 7,356 patients recovered from the disease, according to the DGHS.
Among the four deaths during the period, one was vaccinated with single dose of Covid vaccine while three were vaccinated with two doses.
The country reported its first zero Covid death in a single day on November 20 last year, along with 178 cases, since the pandemic broke out here in March 2020.
Also read: COVID cases rise in Southeast Asia, Middle East and Europe
On January 28, Bangladesh logged its previous highest positivity rate of 33.37 per cent.
The country registered its highest daily caseload of 16,230 on July 28 last year and daily fatalities of 264 on August 10 in the same year.
Encouraged by Malaysia’s leadership on Myanmar crisis: UN expert
The UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Myanmar, Tom Andrews, on Thursday expressed his appreciation for Malaysia’s increasing leadership on the crisis in Myanmar.
He urged States in the region to adopt a similar approach to the human rights catastrophe unfolding under military rule.
“Too much is at stake for Myanmar and its people to accept complacency and inaction by the international community,” Andrews said in a statement at the end of an eight-day visit to Malaysia.
He said Junta forces have killed more than 2,000 civilians, arrested more than 14,000, displaced more than 700,000, driving the number of internally displaced persons well over one million, and plunged the country into an economic and humanitarian crisis that threatens the lives and wellbeing of millions.
““The military’s attacks on the people of Myanmar constitute crimes against humanity and war crimes. No one has been spared the impact of the military’s violence,” said the UN expert.
Andrews said that even before the coup, the Myanmar military had committed atrocities against the people of Myanmar.
Read: Myanmar questioned for not fulfilling Rohingya repatriation pledge
“The Rohingya faced genocidal attacks by Myanmar security forces. I have learned that there are over 104,000 registered Rohingya in Malaysia who have fled from Myanmar seeking safe haven with untold numbers who are unregistered,” he said.
Those who fled Myanmar also told Andrews about the challenges they faced in Malaysia, citing fears of being sent to migration detention, insufficient education opportunities for their children, and instances of extortion by police officers.
“Let me be clear, refugees from Myanmar are here because they were forced to come here. Their inability to return to their homes in Myanmar is directly linked to the military junta’s human rights violations and war against the people of Myanmar. It is impossible to address issues related to those seeking refuge in Malaysia and other nations in the region without directly and effectively addressing the crisis inside of Myanmar,” Andrews said.
Malaysia not only recognizes this fact, it has been willing, through the words and actions of Foreign Minister Saifuddin, to challenge ASEAN to reexamine their current policy on Myanmar, the UN expert said, adding that Foreign Minister Saifuddin had called on ASEAN to move from a policy of “noninterference” to, in his words, one of “non-indifference”.
“Malaysia has given voice to the obvious fact that after more than one year, nothing has moved and since nothing has moved, more people are being killed and more people are being forced to flee the country,” Andrews said.
He has not only called for ASEAN to engage with the Myanmar National Unity Government, he has begun engaging with the National Unity Government’s Foreign Minister Zin Mar Aung, Andrews said.
“I look forward to working to support Malaysia’s foreign policy leadership on Myanmar, to affirm the human rights of a people under siege and to reduce the incredible scale of human suffering in Myanmar.”
Bangladesh, EU to work for improved health, safety at Ctg port
Bangladesh and the European Union (EU) have agreed to accelerate the removal of idle containers from the Chittagong Port premises in order to increase cargo-handling capacities and improve health and safety situation in the port, which is the largest gateway for Bangladesh's trade with the EU.
In addition, approval would be issued for interchange of empty containers between Dhaka rail and river terminals.
Bangladesh has agreed a few months ago as suggested by the EU to launch a survey to assess the costs and benefits of up to 100% foreign direct investment (FDI) in Bangladesh's logistics sector.
The issues were discussed at the 7th plenary meeting under the EU-Bangladesh business climate dialogue held in a city hotel on Thursday.
The dialogue aims to jointly facilitate trade and investment from the EU, Bangladesh's number one trading partner and the second largest source of FDI to Bangladesh.
Read: EU’s new Global Gateway strategy offers new opportunities for Bangladesh-EU relations: Envoys
Bangladesh's exports to the EU amounted to around €16 billion in the 2021 calendar year, while the EU exports to Bangladesh were to the tune of €3 billion, according to a joint statement.
The plenary was co-chaired by the senior secretary commerce Tapan Kanti Ghosh and EU Ambassador Charles Whiteley.
It was attended by EU Heads of Diplomatic Missions in Dhaka - Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Spain, and Sweden.
Representatives of the numerous Government authorities including the Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA), Ministry of Shipping, the National Board of Revenue (NBR) and Bangladesh Bank participated in the dialogue, as well as some representatives from the EU private sector.
Both sides took stock of discussions in three priority fields, namely: tax and customs, shipping and logistics, and green business practices.
Read: EU contributes to strengthen social security in Bangladesh with EUR 24mn
They agreed a joint committee will be constituted to examine the challenges and opportunities to simplify the customs clearance process for both express and non-express air cargoes.
The "green business practices" is a new topic in the dialogue, under which the EU side informed the government of Bangladesh about the upcoming supply chain due diligence requirements in Europe and encouraged adaptive actions with a view to ensure smooth trade with the EU as the number one market for Bangladeshi exports.
The EU side informed the meeting about two upcoming initiatives - the "EU-Bangladesh Meaning Business", which is conceived in the context of the 50th anniversary of the European Union (EU's) diplomatic relations with Bangladesh established in 1973.
It aims to showcase commercial sectors which are underexplored and where closer collaboration between Bangladesh and Europe could be mutually beneficial.
“Eurocham” in Bangladesh, a European Union (EU) Chamber of Commerce, will also be established.
It aims to build bridges between the Bangladeshi and EU private sectors and serve as a centre of excellence connecting Bangladeshi public and private sectors with investors from Europe, to the benefit of smooth and sustained business relations between Bangladesh and the EU.
It would also help to navigate Bangladesh's transition to a post-EBA trade regime in the EU, according to the joint statement.
The Heads of Mission expressed their desire to continue working constructively in improving trade and investment relations with Bangladesh. The next plenary is scheduled for the first semester of 2023.
2 indigenous men drown in Rangamati
The bodies of two indigenous men were recovered from the Kachalong river in Baghaichhari upazila of Rangamati district on Thursday morning, a day after they drowned in the river.
The deceased were identified as Shukar Chakma, 32, and Chirojyoti Chakma, 42, of the upazila.
Read:Flash flood submerges fresh areas in Sherpur; Child drowns
Locals said the duo drowned while fishing in the river on Wednesday. The divers of fire service failed to rescue them after conducting an operation.
Some residents of Rupkari union spotted Shukar’s body near Bijoy ghat area and Chirojyoti’s body in Golachhari area around 6am today, said Baghaichhari Upazila Nirbahi Officer Rumana Akhter.
The bodies were handed over to their respective families after completing legal procedures, she added.