The Bangladesh Embassy in Washington DC has said the political context of the US "Presidential Memorandum on Advancing Worker Empowerment, Rights, and High Labor Standards Globally" has many "reasons to be alarmed". "Politics is behind what is said about labor rights in the memorandum, and the US would try to use the political purpose in different ways," said the embassy in a letter based on observation it made on the recently launched US initiative. Therefore, the "memorandum" is a signal for Bangladesh as the US may take any measure as described in the memorandum with the excuse of labor issues, the document seen by UNB reads. "The memorandum may also have an impact on Bangladesh's apparel sector, and it should be taken into cognizance with priority by the concerned stakeholders," it said. The report on an initial compiled report on the "Memorandum on advancing worker empowerment, rights and high labour standards globally" issued by the US president and launched by Secretary of State Anthony Blinken was also forwarded. USA will support Bangladesh after election: Momen Though the "memorandum" appears to be a global policy applicable for all countries, there are reasons to believe that Bangladesh may be one of the targets, said the embassy. Labor issues in Bangladesh were specifically quoted by the secretary of state and acting secretary of labor at the launching ceremony. US State Dept spokesperson says will ‘refrain from being drawn into’ internal Bangladeshi political matters As per the "memorandum", the US foreign mission would directly interact/deal with labor issues, the policy may encourage the interested US diplomats/missions to interfere in many internal/ domestic issues. "It seems that there are scopes for this policy to be imposed at individual, firm, or state level, if they anticipate/believe the labors' rights are violated," reads the document signed by the Minister (Commerce) at the Embassy to the senior secretary at the Ministry of Commerce. ‘Discussed cooperation on dev and importance of protecting democracy’: US State Dept Counselor meets Momen The US Presidential Memorandum was rolled out on November 16. The United States said they will work to “hold accountable those who threaten, intimidate, attack union leaders, labor rights defenders, labor organizations – including using things like sanctions, trade penalties and visa restrictions” – all the tools in their kit.

Dhaka, Oct 13,(UNB)-- Member Secretary of Gono Adhikar Parishad Nurul Haque Nur and Coordinator of Ganasanghati Andolan Junaid Saki on Thursday submitted a memorandum to Dhaka University (DU) Vice Chancellor (VC) Prof Md Akhtaruzaman, asking for steps to free the arrested activists of Bangladesh Chhatra Odhikar Parishad. Earlier, Nur and Saki along with some general students and guardians of the arrested students gathered in front of the National Museum at Shahbagh intersection, from where they formed a rally and marched towards the VC’s office around 12:40pm. The two had a 50-minute conversation with the VC, during which they talked about the unconditional release of the students who were arrested by police over holding a “peaceful, non-political” program. "Although I’m a former Vice President (VP) of Dhaka University Central Students Union (DUCSU), I’m still concerned about the rights of the students of this campus. BCL activists had attacked the activists of Chhatra Odhikar Parishad while the latter were undergoing treatment at the hospital, which had crossed the last limit of cruelty," Nur said in a press briefing after leaving VC’s office. Nur added that the DU VC has assured them of taking necessary steps to release the arrested students. During the briefing, Saki said, "We were the students of this university too. During our time, activists of different political organizations could arrange their programs without any fear of getting attacked by rival groups. Nowadays it seems like the ruling party thugs are trying to suppress those who have a dissenting voice." Saki added that police should’ve arrested the attackers instead of arresting the injured students. In the memorandum submitted to DU VC, Nur and Saki raised four demands which include ensuring the safety of all students irrespective of their political affiliations, taking necessary steps against the recent attacks, proper investigation and administrative and legal actions against the attackers and arranging DUCSU elections regularly. Read: 24 Chhatra Odhikar Parishad members produced in court, a day after arrest Mizanur Rahman, father of one of the arrested students, said, "My son Saddam Hossen is not involved with any political party. Police have arrested him on false charges." When asked about the meeting, DU VC Prof Akhtaruzzaman said, "Students are our first priority. When I learned that some guardians and student representatives have come to me with their demands, I gave them the opportunity to speak. As a legal guardian, it’s my duty to stand with my students in times of hardship and I’ll try my best to do so," the VC said. The VC added that the whole Chhatra Odhikar Parishad incident was unexpected. "Students are not expected to carry sticks. As the incident took place in front of DMCH and police were present there, they took legal steps," Akhtaruzzaman added. Earlier on October 7, police detained 24 students, including 22 Bangladesh Chhatra Odhikar Parishad activists, from in front of DMCH following a clash between the parishad and Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL) DU unit over arranging a program in memory of BUET student Abrar Fahad. Later, the students were shown arrested after a BCL activist filed a case with Shahbagh Police Station, accusing the Chhatra Odhikar Parishad activists of creating unrest and attacking BCL members.

Law Minister Anisul Huq on Tuesday said the memorandum submitted by pro-BNP lawyers seeking government permission to send its chairperson Khaleda Zia abroad for advanced medical treatment will be examined. “I would like to remind you one thing that Khaleda Zia was freed to stay home as Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina considered the matter from a humanitarian aspect. So I would say the government doesn’t lack humanity or compassion.” Read: Sending Khaleda abroad: Pro-BNP lawyers submit memo to Law Minister “We know how to exhibit humanity and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina knows how to do it,” the minister added. “I’ll definitely examine the memorandum. We need to hold discussions to make a decision and we’ll do that. I don't think it would be right for me to tell you anything prematurely today,” the minister added.

A delegation of pro-BNP lawyers on Tuesday submitted a memorandum to Law Minister Anisul Huq seeking the government’s permission to send ailing Khaleda Zia abroad for treatment. They argued that there is no legal obstruction for the government in allowing Khaleda to go abroad. The delegation, led by Advocate Fazlur Rahman, member secretary of Bangladesh Jatiyatabadi Ainjibi Forum (BJAF), met the Law Minister at his secretariat office around 1:45pm and submitted the memorandum to him. Read: Khaleda’s treatment abroad: BNP to submit memo to DC offices Wednesday In the memorandum, the lawyers said the BNP chairperson and three-time (former) Prime Minister Khaleda Zia has been receiving treatment in Coronary Care Unit (CCU) of Evercare Hospital in a critical condition. They said the specialist doctors who are treating her have already given an opinion to send her abroad for advanced treatment. “We the lawyers are concerned over the deterioration of health condition of the country’s three-time former Prime Minister…we think it’s imperative to allow her to go abroad for advanced treatment in a bid to save her life.” They mentioned that the government released Khaleda as per section 401 (1) of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC) with two conditions and the tenure of her release was extended thrice. “She didn’t violate any condition so far. The government can anytime make an arrangement for Khaleda Zia’s treatment abroad by issuing a fresh gazette notification without imposing any condition under section 401 (1)or issuing a new order under subsection 6 of 401. In this case, there’s no legal barrier. Rather, such a decision of the government will be lawful,” the lawyers said. Under the circumstances, they hoped that the government would demonstrate its generosity by taking necessary steps for sending Khaleda abroad for better treatment. Khaleda, a 76-year-old former prime minister, was readmitted to Evercare Hospital on 13 November, six days after she had returned home from the hospital. Read: Let Khaleda go abroad or face oust-govt movement: Fakhrul The BNP chief's physicians said she has been suffering from rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes, critical cardiac, kidney ophthalmological and dental complications. The hemoglobin level in her blood has also dropped. On behalf of the family, Khaleda's younger brother, Shamim Iskander, submitted an application to the Home Ministry on 11 November urging the government to allow her to go abroad for better treatment. Law Minister Anisul Huq, however, recently said the BNP chairperson first has to make a fresh application by going back to jail to go abroad for treatment.

Newly formed Anti-Terrorism Students Unity on Thursday submitted a memorandum to the Vice Chancellor of Dhaka University (DU) seeking punishment of the attackers of Ducsu VP Nur and congenial atmosphere on the campus so that students could express their opinions freely.