President Mohammed Shahabuddin on Thursday urged the international community including the European Union to come forward to solve the Rohingya issue. The President made this call when the newly appointed ambassadors of Norway and the European Union in Dhaka presented their credentials to the President. President's press secretary Joynal Abedin briefed reporters after the meeting. On arrival at Bangabhaban in the morning, a smart contingent of the Presidential guard regiment gave a guard of honor to the ambassadors. Newly appointed ambassadors of Sweden and Algeria present credentials to President First, the newly appointed Ambassador of Norway Hakon Arald Gulbrandsen presented his credential to the President while then new ambassador of the European Union Michael Miller presented his credential. Welcoming the new ambassador of Norway, President Shahabuddin said Norway has been providing development cooperation in various sectors including rural development, education, disaster management and good governance in Bangladesh for the last five decades. The President called upon Norway to assist the reform programme of the interim government of Bangladesh. Highlighting the bright prospects of Bangladesh's blue economy, the President urged Norwegian investors to invest in various sectors including deep-sea fishing, sea-food processing technology, and oil and gas. Later, during the meeting with the Ambassador of the European Union, the President said that the European Union is one of the most important development partners of Bangladesh. He said that the European Union has been providing comprehensive support for inclusive and sustainable development and poverty alleviation in Bangladesh for more than five decades. "As Bangladesh has been upgraded from the least developed to the developing country, the President called on the European Union to take steps to continue the duty-free quota facility for exports beyond 2029," he said. Foreign Affairs adviser gives 'sensitive' issue of president's citizenship status a wide berth Mentioning that Bangladesh is one of the countries affected by the adverse effects of climate change, the President said that Bangladesh and the European Union can work together to solve the problems linked to climate change. The President sought the co-operation of the ambassador to send skilled human resources from Bangladesh to various countries of the European Union. Appreciating the humanitarian assistance of the European Union for the Rohingyas , the President expressed hope that the United Nations, the European Union and other development partners will take effective initiatives for the safe and dignified repatriation of the Rohingyas. During the meeting, the new ambassadors of Norway and the European Union sought the full cooperation of the President in performing his duties in Bangladesh. The Ambassador of Norway said that his country is interested in supporting the development of the blue economy of Bangladesh. On the other hand, the ambassador of the European Union said that the EU has been supporting the socio-economic development of Bangladesh since the beginning. The ambassador said that this trend will continue in the future. Secretaries concerned to the president office were also present during the meeting.

The maiden session of the 12th Parliament will go into session on Tuesday at 3pm. President Mohammed Shahabuddin will address the first session. Earlier, he convened the first parliament session of 2024 exercising the power bestowed upon him as per the Article 72 (1) of the Constitution. The President's speech has already been approved in the cabinet. The current parliament was formed through January 7 national election. Make the business of parliament meaningful: PM Hasina tells independent MPs Out of 299 seats, AL won 223, JP 11, Bangladesh Workers Party, Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal (JSD), and Bangladesh Kalyan Party one each, and independent candidates 62 seats. 58 of the independent candidates were ruling party leaders. At the beginning of the sitting, the Speaker and deputy speaker of the House will be elected and they will be sworn in by the president. BNP relies on ‘other force’ to go to power: PM Hasina tells British parliamentary team Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury and Shamsul Haque Tuku will continue in their post as Speaker and Deputy Leader of the House as the AL parliamentary party in a meeting has already nominated them for this post. The president, who addresses the first parliamentary session of a new year, will give a speech on the first day of the session. The Business Advisory Committee of the new parliament will be formed with the new speaker as its head. Neither parliament nor current govt was formed with people’s mandate: Dr Abdul Moyeen Khan The committee will decide the tenure of the inaugural session and other businesses of parliament. The standing committees on different ministries are likely to be formed during this session.

President Mohammed Shahabuddin on Sunday asked the national human rights commission to incorporate the influential personalities and opinion leaders in the process of establishing human rights. This effort of incorporating the influential personalities and opinion leaders like Imam, religious leaders, teachers and leeaders of different professionals will increase the human rights situation in Bangladesh in the large scale,  he said. The president made the statement while delivering his speech at the programme  of observing the International Human Rights Day at the Hotel Intercontinental in the capital. President Shahabuddin calls for vigilant anti-corruption efforts to foster development The programme hosted by National Human Rights Commission( NHRC) was held with the theme of 'freedom, equity and justice for all'. Pointing out that the scope  of work of NHRC is wide across the country, the President said that since its inception, the commission has been making efforts to preserve, develop and ensure human rights. One of the main steps in creating and establishing a human rights culture is to create awareness about human rights issues. "Increase in human rights awareness will pave the way for victims of human rights violations to seek redress," he said. He also directed the commission to elevate the people's involvement in all activities of mutual dialogue, meetings, seminars, workshops, education and promotion of co-operation in the protection of human rights. In order to develop  the human rights culture in Bangladesh, he said the commission should take necessary initiatives to increase research and publication, increase round-the-clock monitoring of human rights violations, create awareness on human rights issues and conduct advocacy activities. Envoys of Pakistan, Egypt, Vatican city and Sri Lanka present credentials to President Shahabuddin Urging to ensure the presence of the National Human Rights Commission wherever human rights violations occur in the country, the president said the commission  should stand by the oppressed and continue all efforts to punish the oppressors and become a symbol of trust and confidence to the exploited and oppressed. The president specifically requested the international community to ensure a permanent solution to all kinds of conflicts and stand by the persecuted and oppressed people, noting that all problems can be solved through dialogue, not war. "But sadly, it is true that the prevailing global human rights situation would distress any sane person. Thousands of people are dying every day in various ways, including wars, ethnic and sectarian riots, epidemics and natural disasters, thousands are being killed in Gaza, millions of peoples’  human rights are being violated,” he said. Criticising the silence of the world in this issue, he said many powerful countries are playing the role of silent spectators. Many countries and organisations are indulging in double standards in the name of human rights, he said. President seeks more Dutch investment in Bangladesh Pointing out that the issue of human rights should be considered universal and equal for all and no discrimination or partiality should be done, the president said, "I hope that wherever human rights are violated in the world, all countries, human rights organisations and human rights activists will raise their voices in protest regardless of party, religion and caste." . Law, Justice and Parliamentary  Affairs Minister  Anisul Haque and full-time member of National Human Rights Commission Salim Reza spoke in the programme while secretary of Law and Justice Department Golam Sarwar and Secretary of Legislative and Parliamentary Affairs Department Mr. Md. Moinul Kabir were also present. Chairman of the NHRC Kamal Uddin Ahmed presided over the programme.

President Mohammed Shahabuddin today urged government employees to provide all-out efforts in implementing programs undertaken by the government for the welfare of the people. "You will discharge your duties abiding by rules, regulation and constitution of the country as all of you are public servants," he said. He said this while attending the graduation ceremony of the Defence Services Command and Staff Course (DSCSC). A total of 257 officers including 49 from 24 countries graduated through this ceremony. President Parade (Winter)-2023 held at BAF Academy "Always remember that democracy and development go together, " the president said. The president said that the government of Bangladesh has been committed to strengthening our Armed Forces. After independence, the Father of the Nation prioritized establishing a strong military and formulated the defense policy in 1974, he said. In conjunction with this, the government developed the “Forces Goal-2030’ to develop, expand, and modernize the Armed Forces. The proper function of the government overnment is to make it easy for the people to do good, and difficult for them to do evil, he said. Saying that Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman had a dream to improve the quality of life of the people, the president said all-out measures were taken by Bangabandhu to materialize those dreams. President Shahabuddin calls for upholding human rights, rule of law "Within three and a half years of independence, all the indicators of economy and development process were moving positively under the dynamic leadership of Bangabandhu," he also said. Mentioning the basis of stability as rule of law, assurance of personal freedom and respect for democratic rights, values and institutions, he said economic prosperity without freedom and freedom without economic prosperity cannot improve the quality of life. "In the absence of rule of law, society cannot ensure return for sacrifices of individuals in terms of savings, perseverance, creativity and entrepreneurship," he added. “The challenges of the 21st century are dynamic and multifaceted, ranging from conventional threats to non-traditional forms. I am confident that the rigorous training you have undergone here has equipped you with the skills and knowledge necessary to negotiate these complex challenges,” he said. Armed Forces Day: Chiefs of three services call on President Shahabuddin Calling DSCSC as a miniature of the global community, medium of bringing together military leaders from diverse backgrounds, cultures, and perspectives, he said the bonds forged here would foster goodwill. Commandant of Defence Services Command and Staff College, Major General Faizur Rahman, delivered the welcome speech.

Cabinet Secretary Md Mahbub Hossain on Tuesday paid a courtesy call on President Mohammed Shahabuddin at Bangabhaban.  President's press secretary Joynal Abedin told UNB that the cabinet secretary apprised the President of various aspects of the administrative activities at his office during the meeting. Also Read: Protect human rights in every area, President to National Human Rights Commission The cabinet secretary sought the direction and cooperation of the President in discharging his duties while the President wished the success of the cabinet secretary. Also Read: Thimpu to ink a hydropower cooperation deal with Dhaka soon: Bhutanese Envoy President's Office Secretary Sampad Barua, Military Secretary Major General SM Salah Uddin Islam, Press Secretary Joynal Abedin and Secretary (attachment) Md Wahidul Islam Khan were also present there.    

President Mohammed Shahabuddin on Monday asked the country’s universities to focus more on job-oriented education and research to cater to the need of the employment market. He said this when Jatiya Kabi Nazrul Islam University Vice-Chancellor Professor Soumitra Sekhar and acting Vice-Chancellor of BRAC University Syed Mahfuzul Aziz met with him separately at Bangabhaban. President's Press Secretary Joynal Abedin briefed reporters after the meetings. Also Read: Ensure proper spending of public money: President Shahabuddin The president said that the universities must do more on encouraging the students to take up research and innovative activities, which will be sustainable for the country. VC Soumitra Shekhar briefed the President about the academic and development activities of the Kabi Nazrul University.    

President-elect Mohammed Shahabuddin will take the oath of office on Monday. He will be the 22nd president of Bangladesh. He succeds President Md Abdul Hamid whose second succesive five-year term is due to end Sunday.Under Bangladesh parliamentary system the president is a figurehead with the prime minister holding the executive power. President's Press Secretary Joynal Abedin said swearing-in ceremony of the new president will be held at 11am Monday at Bangabhaban under the supervision of Cabinet division. He also informed that Jatiya Sangsad (Parliament) Speaker Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury will administer the oath of the President while Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, cabinet members and hundreds of distinguished guests will attend the event. Also read: Md Shahabuddin set to become next President of Bangladesh Cabinet Secretary Md Mahbub Hossain will conduct the programme. After the swearing-in ceremony, Md Sahabuddin will sign the oath documents of the office of the President. New President Md Sahabuddin and outgoing president M Abdul Hamid will officially alter the seat after the oath, said Jaynal. Alongside, family members of the new President, including his wife Dr Rebecca Sultana and son Arshad Adnan Rony will attend the function. Chief Justice Hasan Foez Siddique, Members of Parliament, Chief Election Commissioner, Supreme Court judges, political leaders, chiefs of the three services, diplomats, senior journalists, including editors, and high-ranking civil and military officials will witness the event. Shahabuddin, 73, was elected as president unopposed on February 13 this year as a candidate of ruling Awami League. Born in Pabna in 1949, Shahabuddin fought valiantly in the 1971 War of Liberation. During his student life, he served as an activist and president of Pabna Chhatra League and later took over the responsibility of Pabna Jubo League as its president. In 1971, he was the convenor of Swadhin Bangla Chhatra Sangram Parishad of Pabna and also actively participated in the Liberation War. He was imprisoned following the brutal assassination of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman in 1975. He was later appointed as the Law Ministry's coordinator in the Bangabandhu assassination case. In 1982, he joined the BCS (Judicial) Department, and in 1995, he was elected general secretary of the Judicial Service Association.He served as the law ministry's coordinator in the Bangabandhu assassination case. He also served as the chairman of the Judicial Inquiry Commission, which investigated murders, rapes, thefts and other crimes by BNP-Jamaat alliance's activists and leaders following the 2001 general election. He also worked as a district and sessions judge before retiring in 2006. He was a commissioner at the Anti-Corruption Commission from 2011 to 2016. In the latest National Council of Bangladesh Awami League, he served as election commissioner. He earned his LLB from Rajshahi University in 1975 and later completed his MSc from the same institution. Shahabuddin's wife, Prof Dr Rebecca Sultana, is a former joint secretary of the government. The current president, Abdul Hamid, is leaving Bangabhaban on April 24 becoming the longest-serving president in the history of Bangladesh.