Political parties across the spectrum reaffirmed their commitment to safeguarding Bangladesh's independence and sovereignty during a meeting with Chief Adviser Dr Yunus on Wednesday. “We may have political differences over elections, reform and other issues, but we all are united on the question of national independence and sovereignty,” Nagorik Oikya President Mahmudur Rahman Manna told reporters after the meeting. Entire world needs to know Bangladesh united: Dr Yunus The meeting was held at the Foreign Service Academy with the participation of representatives from various political parties including BNP and Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami.Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus delivered the opening remarks at the event that began at 4:00pm. Manna said they told the meeting that Bangladesh wants to stay independent with dignity, maintaining friendly relations with other countries, not bowing down to anyone. He said they also asked the interim government to review all the agreements signed with India and cancel the agreements that go against the national interest of Bangladesh. Junaid Saki, the chief coordinator of Ganosamhati Andolon, said they, the political parties in the meeting, reached a consensus to develop a national unity on the question of the independence and sovereignty of Bangladesh. Tarique urges leaders, activists to avoid controversial activities “We told (govt) that all the people of Bangladesh – political parties, students and people from all classes and professions—will fight united to protect the existence, independence and sovereignty of this country,” he said. Noting that a fight of misinformation continues against Bangladesh from India and other places, Saki said, “We’ve told the government that we’ll have to fight misinformation with true information.” Saiful Islam, Ganatantra Mancha coordinator Saiful Huq, said India has remained seriously active against the interim government, the people of this country and the mass uprising since the fall of the fascists. They (India) are trying to create a communal tension between the Hindu and Muslim, he said. “We today said in this meeting that we, all political parties in Bangladesh, are beside the interim government and expressed unity over the question of our independence, sovereignty and national interest,” he said.   National Unity: CA’s talks with political parties underway Saiful Huq said they assured that the people of Bangladesh have today built a fresh unity over non-communal politics and cultures against communalism.  “The people of Bangladesh won’t step in any type of provocation,” he said. He said they asked the government to give a clear message that if India wants to destabilise Bangladesh and play with the security of Bangladesh, the security of India will also fall in risk. “We want to keep the friendly relationship with India and we want to resolve all disputes with India fairly based on just, equity and equal partnership,” he said.   “We, the people of Bangladesh won’t step in any provocation and will protect the national unity at any cost. Today the people of Bangladesh are united on the question of the national interest. And this unity can no way be weakened,” said Saiful Huq. Advisers Adilur Rahman Khan and Mahfuj Alam; BNP leaders Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain, Abdul Moyeen Khan, Syed Nazrul Islam Khan, Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury, and AZM Zahid Hossain; Jamaat Ameer Dr Shafiqur Rahman; and Gono Odhikar Parishad leader Nurul Haque Nur and Rashed Khan, among others, present in the meeting. Global problem-solving must rely on cooperation, not conflict: Prof Yunus The CA’s meeting with religious leaders will be held on Thursday, but the time has not been decided yet. CA's Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam said Prof Yunus held a meeting with student leaders on Tuesday evening. “Prof Yunus called the students to help rebuild the nation,” Alam told UNB after the meeting.

BRAC, as part of its safeguarding policy,  is committed to protecting the rights of its employees and programme partners against abuse, sexual harassment, intimidation and violence, bullying, humiliation and discrimination, neglect and exploitation. This was discussed at a meeting ‘Safeguarding related awareness campaign’ at a hotel in Cox’s Bazar district town on Tuesday, said a press release.  The organisation has so far imparted training to more than 48,000 employees on safeguarding with the aim of raising awareness and share information and knowledge among the field level management staff of different BRAC programmes.  Read more: Brac to empower women at the grassroots The Humanitarian Crisis Management Programme (HCMP) of BRAC organized the discussion along with staging popular theatre to create awareness on safeguarding (protection of women). Khondoker Ariful Islam, Director of HCMP of BRAC, gave welcome address while Tahmina Yesmin, Safeguarding Lead of BRAC Head Office, highlighted the event’s objectives.   Shahana Hayat, Operations and Admin Head of HCMP, Tilon Andrews, Manager of Safeguarding Unit of BRAC Head Office, Ayesha Akter Monni, Manager of Safeguarding Unit under Human Resources Division of HCMP, among others, spoke on the occasion.    SM Zahidul Islam, Assistant General Manager of Human Resources Division of BRAC HCMP, conducted the discussion.   Khondoker Ariful Islam, in his speech said, "safeguarding is not a matter of BRAC, rather it is a global issue now. Hence we should give maximum importance to it." He called on all employees of BRAC to practice it in workplace. Regarding the objective of the programme, Tahmina Yesmin said, "the divisional level awareness raising event is aimed at creating an allout culture of safeguarding."  Read more: Meta partners with BRAC to empower Bangladeshi women, youth online Over 100 employees including regional managers, area managers, branch managers, and divisional managers of different BRAC programmes  from Teknaf and Ukhiya upazilas attended the programme.   BRAC held eight similar programmes at eight divisions of the country in the last one year till date.