Myanmar
BGB, Coast Guard asked to remain alert with “reinforcement”, if needed
Acting foreign secretary Rear Admiral (Retd) Md Khurshed Alam said they had a high-level meeting today (September 18, 2022) with all concerned and urged Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) and Bangladesh Coast Guard to remain on high alert with “reinforcement”, if required.
Khurshed Alam, also secretary at Maritime Affairs Unit (MAU) at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said Bangladesh is a “responsible and peace-loving” country and they are “observing and tolerating” the situation along the Bangladesh-Myanmar border with much patience.
Talking to reporters at the ministry, he said they are in touch with all relevant agencies and the government remains alert so that no Myanmar national can enter Bangladesh.
Also read: Myanmar ambassador summoned for the 4th time
Earlier in the morning, the Ministry of Foreign Affais summoned the Myanmar Ambassador to Bangladesh Aung Kyaw Moe for the fourth time and lodged a strong protest over the recent incidents along the Bangladesh-Myanmar border.
The ambassador was summoned at the office of Md. Najmul Huda, Director General (South East Asia wing) of Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Khurshed Alam said Bangladesh conveyed to the ambassador that what’s happening in Myanmar is their internal issue and they need to think how they will solve it.
Read BNP urges global community to act against Myanmar's insolent activities
He said Bangladesh has told the ambassador to take steps to prevent repetition of such incidents – death and injuries – inside Bangladesh.
The acting foreign secretary said the Myanmar envoy listened to the Bangladesh side and assured that he would report to the headquarters.
The acting foreign secretary hoped that there will be a solution if Bangladesh remains strong. Bangladesh is not demonstrating any weakness, rather it is conveying its message to Myanmar from a very strong position, he added.
Read Do more to cut Myanmar military's revenue, arms supply: UN to countries
Asked who will take responsibility of the recent death, the acting foreign secretary said they cannot say exactly who had fired the bullet, though the bullet has “Myanmar army” written on it.
He said the Myanmar side was saying these bullets had been stolen by the Arakan Army and they are using these bullets to create "distance" between Bangladesh and Myanmar. “In such a situation, it is difficult to determine who will take the responsibility.”
Khurshed Alam said Bangladesh has asked Myanmar to take steps for stopping the spill-over of Myanmar’s internal conflict into Bangladesh.
Read UN experts seek more help for human rights defenders in push for accountability in Myanmar
Earlier, Dhaka reiterated its “deep concern” over the recent incidents of Myanmar’s mortar shelling, indiscriminate aerial firing in the bordering areas, and air space violations.
On Saturday, Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan said the government is trying to resolve the issues with Myanmar peacefully and diplomatically but a complaint will be lodged to the United Nations regarding mortar shelling at the border if necessary.
He said the Bangladesh Foreign Ministry has warned them (Myanmar) several times but they didn’t keep their promise. “We have lodged a strong protest over casualties from Friday’s mortar shelling by Myanmar at Tombru border,” he added.
Read Bangladesh wants discussion to avert border tension with Myanmar: Foreign Secretary
On Friday night, a 17-year-old-Rohingya boy named Mohammad Iqbal was killed and five others were injured as a mortar shell fired by the Myanmar army exploded at the Zero Point Rohingya Camp close to the international border in Tombru, Bandarban.
The deceased and injured were all residents of the Zero Point Rohingya Camp, known as the camp that is closest to the Bangladesh-Myanmar border, in No Man's Land.
Four mortar shells landed in succession at the Rohingya camp around 8 pm.
Also read: Home Minister: Will complain to UN over Myanmar’s mortar shelling if needed
Earlier, an indigenous youth, named Anganthowai Tanchangya, was grievously injured in a landmine explosion along the Bangladesh-Myanmar border in Naikhongchhari Upazila of Bandarban on Friday noon. Locals said it is the Myanmar army that has mined the area. Twelve mortar shells have been fired by the Myanmar army on Bangladesh territory so far.
BNP urges global community to act against Myanmar's insolent activities
Voicing deep concern over the firing of mortar shells by the Myanmar Army inside Bangladesh, BNP on Saturday urged the UN and the international community to take steps to stop such insolent activities and violation of international law.
“We would like to draw the attention of the United Nations and the international community to take necessary measures to prevent such audacity of Myanmar," said BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir.
Speaking at an emergency meeting at BNP’s Nayapaltan central office, he also called upon the Awami League government to take appropriate measures boldly to protect the territorial integrity of independent and sovereign Bangladesh."
The BNP leader said an alarming situation has been prevailing along the Bangladesh-Myanmar border areas due to repeated incidents of firing mortar shells into Bangladesh territory by the Myanmar Armed Forces.
Read: Govt has divided the state system through politicization: Fakhrul
He said the military aggression of the Myanmar Armed Forces, which started on August 28, has been increasing due to the weak and subservient diplomacy of the current ‘illegitimate’ government of Bangladesh.
“In the latest incident, a Rohingya teenager who was hit by a mortar shell fired by the Myanmar forces died yesterday (Friday) on the zero-line opposite to the Ghumdhum border in Naikhongchhari Upazila of Bandarban. Five more kids were injured in the incident,” Fakhrul said.
A week after firing mortar shells along the Bangladesh border, he said the Myanmar forces repeatedly violated the airspace and fired mortar shells from warplanes and helicopters.
Read: BNP's movement cannot be suppressed by attacks, arrests: Fakhrul
“The mortar shells exploded within 120 meters of Bangladesh territory near the zero-line of Naikhongchhari border in Bandarban, which is a direct violation of international law. The Myanmar forces are often firing toward Bangladesh violating the airspace. BNP strongly condemns and protests the killing of people by firing mortar shells by the Myanmar Army along the Bangladesh-Myanmar border and the violation of international law,” the BNP leader said.
He also said Myanmar is showing such audacity by firing mortar shells inside Bangladesh only because of the government’s knee-jerk foreign policy.
Do more to cut Myanmar military's revenue, arms supply: UN to countries
Countries will have to do more to cut the Myanmar military's access to revenue and arms supplies to halt its repression of the people, the United Nations Human Rights Office said in a report Friday.
The report was requested by the Human Rights Council to follow up on earlier recommendations made by the Independent International Fact-Finding Mission on Myanmar (FFM) on the economic interests of the Myanmar military (the Tatmadaw).
Today's report reiterated the FFM's recommendations to impose targeted financial sanctions on the Tatmadaw and its economic interests as well as arms embargoes, while at the same time highlighting that such measures must respect human rights and that efforts must be made to mitigate foreseeable socio-economic impacts.
Several countries continue to supply weaponry and engage in military cooperation, it said.
Since seizing control of state organs, the State Administration Council has failed to govern in meaningful and sustainable ways, instead continuing to repress and terrorise the Myanmar people, the report added.
While some progress has been made on the FFM's recommendations to economically isolate the Tatmadaw, there remain significant gaps, which are ever more important following the coup.
Read: It was end-of-mandate statement, not global report: UN rights office
Targeted measures should particularly focus on the military's foreign currency access, the report said.
It urged the international community to step up its efforts to support the people of Myanmar and to ensure the military's financial isolation in a coordinated fashion.
Myanmar's military authorities are clearly prioritising their military campaigns over the welfare of the population and economic recovery, the report said.
In comparison with the previous annual government budget, the military authorities' 2022-23 budget increased defence spending, while reducing allocations to education, health, and social welfare.
Poverty in Myanmar has increased at least two-fold and the public health system has effectively broken down since the coup, and more than half of all school-age children have not had access to education for two academic years.
Some countries and companies continue business relationships with military-owned enterprises in a number of sectors.
Read: UN Human Rights Council adopts resolution to end Rohingya crisis
All businesses active in Myanmar or sourcing from the country should take steps to ensure they do not economically benefit the military, including by conducting ongoing and transparent heightened human rights due diligence, the report said.
UN experts seek more help for human rights defenders in push for accountability in Myanmar
UN experts on Friday said human rights defenders documenting and responding to atrocities by Myanmar's military junta urgently need comprehensive support, including financial.
They called on the international community to end apparent indifference to the violence targeting the country's population.
“In the face of inaction by the international community, and with human rights violations continuing to be perpetrated on a daily basis by the military junta, human rights defenders are persisting in their support for those targeted and working to preserve the possibility of justice in the future,” said Mary Lawlor, UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders.
Along with Tom Andrews, Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Myanmar, Lawlor highlighted the grave risks defenders face and the specific challenges confronting women human rights defenders.
“Defenders have been murdered and disappeared by the military since the coup took place. They now risk arrest, detention, torture, including sexual violence and death when going about their work and fear having their documents seized at military checkpoints,” the experts said.
Read: UN Human Rights Council adopts resolution to end Rohingya crisis
“Many have had to go into hiding after being targeted by the military for assisting survivors of gender-based violence. They are on the move constantly, and women human rights defenders often have no choice but to take their children with them when they flee.”
Others have had to relocate to neighbouring countries, where they remain vulnerable.
Lawlor and Andrews said they had publicly expressed concerns for the safety of defenders in the country just over a year ago.
“What's needed is concrete support for Myanmar human rights defenders, including those who have had to flee the country: stronger, coordinated pressure on the junta, timely and responsive direct financial support for defenders on the ground, and visas or resettlement for those fleeing the country,” the experts said.
“The international community must not adopt a passive stance when it comes to the crimes that are being perpetrated by the military junta and the risks for human rights defenders in Myanmar.”
Bangladesh wants discussion to avert border tension with Myanmar: Foreign Secretary
Bangladesh wants to avert tension along the Bangladesh-Myanmar border through "dialogue and discussions", using the existing mechanism between the two border forces amid Myanmar's internal conflicts.
Talking to a small group of journalists at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen said they will have discussions through existing mechanism between Border Guard Bangladesh and its Myanmar counterpart to resolve any issue quickly if there is any provocation.
"Basically, it's an action against their insurgents inside Myanmar. Maybe unintentionally a number of incidents took place. They acknowledged the matter," he said on Sunday evening.
Read: Warned Myanmar against firing shots towards Bangladesh, says Home Minister
The Foreign Secretary said the BGB remains vigilant though firing happened almost 10 kilometers away from the Bangladesh border.
"But sounds are being heard here, on the Bangladesh side. For this reason, locals might become restless. Our surveillance is there. We are observing the situation," said the Foreign Secretary.
He said efforts are there so that no tension prevails along the border. "We remain highly alert. BGB will not allow anyone inside Bangladesh."
Earlier, Bangladesh reiterated deep concerns over mortar shells landing inside Bangladesh territory, indiscriminate aerial firing from Myanmar in the bordering areas, and air space violations.
On September 3, 2022 two mortar shells fell inside Bangladesh between BP 40 and 41.
The Myanmar Ambassador in Bangladesh Aung Kyaw Moe was summoned to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to meet the Director General of Myanmar Wing.
Read: Myanmar envoy summoned: Dhaka shares “deep concerns” with Naypyidaw over border violation
During the meeting, the Ambassador was also told that such activities are of grave threat to the safety and security of the peace-loving people, violation of border agreement between Bangladesh and Myanmar and contrary to the good neighborly relationship.
The Ambassador was also urged to ensure that no trespassing of the internally displaced Myanmar Residents takes place from Rakhine.
It was also stressed that a safe, secure and conducive environment in the place of their origin in Rakhine is essential for sustainable and voluntary repatriation of the displaced Rohingyas from Bangladesh.
The Myanmar Ambassador was also asked to come to the Ministry on 21 August and 28 August 2022 and protest notes were handed over to him conveying Bangladesh’s grave concerns.
The Bangladesh Embassy in Yangon also raised the issue with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Myanmar with much importance.
Warned Myanmar against firing shots towards Bangladesh, says Home Minister
Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan has said that the government has asked Myanmar to refrain from firing shots towards the Bangladesh border.
“A few mortar shells landed on the Bangladeshi side from Myanmar recently. We’ve lodged strong protests from every level of the government against the incident. We’ve also sent a message to our Ambassador to Myanmar through the Foreign Ministry. I hope Myanmar will show restraint soon,” said the Minister.
The home minister made the remarks at a seminar organized by Bangladesh Mahila Oikya Parishad at the Poet Sufia Kamal Auditorium of National Museum as the chief guest.
Also read: Myanmar envoy summoned: Dhaka shares “deep concerns” with Naypyidaw over border violation
Replying to a question, the minister said that he doesn’t want to say anything about Babul Akhter’s allegations until the Police Bureau of Investigation (PBI) completes its probe.
“PBI’s probe will determine whether the allegations made by Babul are true or not. We have trust in PBI. They always conduct thorough investigations. All confusion will be cleared once the PBI investigation is completed,” said Kamal.
Former Superintendent of Police (SP) Babul Akhtar lodged a complaint with a court against six police officers along with PBI Chief Banaj Kumar Majumder for alleged custodial torture.
Also read: No more refugees from Myanmar this time: FM
The other five accused in the case are PBI Chittagong Metro Police Superintendent Naima Sultana and District Police Superintendent Nazmul Hasan, PBI Inspectors AK Mohiuddin Salim, Santosh Chakma, and Enayet Kabir.
Myanmar envoy summoned: Dhaka shares “deep concerns” with Naypyidaw over border violation
Bangladesh on Sunday reiterated its “deep concern” over the recent incidents of Myanmar’s mortar shelling, indiscriminate aerial firing in the bordering areas, and air space violations.
The foreign ministry summoned Myanmar Ambassador to Bangladesh Aung Kyaw Moe and lodged a strong protest over the recent incidents along the Bangladesh-Myanmar border. This was the third time the ministry summoned the envoy in a over week to convey such concern.
“We summoned their ambassador today (Sunday) again. We protested it,” Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen told reporters at the ministry.
Momen said there are internal conflicts inside Myanmar and they do not see anything provocative and Bangladesh shared its concerns with Myanmar.
Read: Dhaka, Delhi likely to sign 7 deals, MoUs during PM's India visit: FM
A diplomatic note was handed over to the Myanmar envoy.
The foreign minister said the government has alerted the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) and other law enforcement agencies so that no new Myanmar national can enter Bangladesh.
According to the latest report, on September 3, two mortar shells fell inside Bangladesh between BP 40 and 41.
During the meeting with Director General (Myanmar Wing), the ambassador was also told that such activities are of “grave threat” to the safety and security of the peace-loving people, violation of border agreement between Bangladesh and Myanmar and contrary to the good neighborly relationship.
The ambassador was also urged to ensure that no trespassing of the internally displaced Myanmar residents takes place from Rakhine.
It was also stressed that a safe, secure and conducive environment in the place of their origin in Rakhine is essential for sustainable and voluntary repatriation of the displaced Rohingyas from Bangladesh, according to the MoFA.
The ambassador assured that he will convey the Bangladesh government’s strong position on these incidents to his headquarters.
Read: Dhaka to sign legal cooperation agreement with Doha
Earlier mortar shells were found inside Bangladesh launched using Myanmar territory.
The MoFA summoned the Myanmar ambassador on August 21 and August 28 and protest notes were handed over to him conveying Bangladesh’s grave concerns.
The Bangladesh Embassy in Yangon also raised the issue with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Myanmar with much importance.
On Thursday, State Minister for Foreign Affairs Md Shahriar Alam said Bangladesh is better prepared so that none can enter from Myanmar now due to the deteriorated situation in Rakhine state.
The Myanmar side was warned twice in August following mortar shells landing in Bangladesh territory from that country and strong protest was lodged in this regard.
Bangladesh is hosting 1.2 million Rohingyas who in 2017 fled their homes in Rakhine state to escape Myanmar military’s campaign of mass killings, rape and arson.
No more refugees from Myanmar this time: FM
Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen has said no refugees would be allowed to enter Bangladesh this time in light of the internal conflict in Myanmar.
“However, we have information this time they won’t be coming toward Bangladesh,” he told journalists after Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's video conference with tea workers on Saturday.
Momen said different armed groups and the ruling junta have been locked in clashes in Myanmar recently.
Also read: Security tightened along border after firing from Myanmar side: Police
During such incidents, he said, Myanmar nationals run towards Bangladesh fearing atrocities.
"Border Guards Bangladesh (BGB) has already been instructed to remain vigilant so that no one can enter Bangladesh,” Momen said.
On Saturday morning, two helicopters and two aircraft reportedly appeared between pillar No 40 and 41 under Reju Amtali BGB BOP in Ghumdhum union of the Naikhonchhari upazila in Cox’s Bazar.
Locals reported firing from the aircrafts and dropping of two mortar shells near the Myanmar-Bangladesh border.
Law enforcement agencies have further strengthened security measures along Bangladesh-Myanmar border at Naikhongchhari point after the reported firing.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs will summon Myanmar Ambassador to Bangladesh Aung Kyaw Moe again on Sunday to lodge a strong protest regarding the matter, State Minister for Foreign Affairs Md Shahriar Alam told UNB.
The Myanmar side was warned twice in August following mortar shells landing in Bangladesh territory from Myanmar and strong protests were lodged in this regard.
Also read: “BGB vigilant, none can enter from Myanmar now”
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs last Monday summoned Myanmar Ambassador to Bangladesh Aung Kyaw Moe and lodged a strong protest against Myanmar’s mortar shells landing inside Bangladesh territory a day earlier.
Govt has warned Myanmar: Momen
Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen on Thursday said the government has warned Myanmar and the Myanmar side assured that they will remain more careful.
He made the remarks when his comment was sought about Myanmar's mortar shells that landed in Bangladesh.
Earlier, he spoke at a programme paying respect to former prime minister of Japan Shinzo Abe at Nawab Ali Chowdhury Senate building of Dhaka University.
Read:MOFA lodges strong protest over Myanmar’s mortar shells into Bangladesh
On Monday, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs summoned Myanmar Ambassador to Bangladesh Aung Kyaw Moe and lodged a strong protest against Myanmar’s mortar shells inside Bangladesh territory a day earlier.
"We have lodged a strong protest with Myanmar so that such incidents do not happen again. We have also strongly condemned the incident," Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen told reporters at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
On Sunday, the foreign secretary said it would first be investigated whether the firing of unexploded mortar shells on the Bangladesh border was an accident or intentional.
Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) stepped up its vigilance along Bangladesh-Myanmar border in Bandarban area after two Myanmar mortar shells landed in an area near Tambru under Naikkhangchhari in Bandarban on Sunday afternoon.
Myanmar conditions do not allow for safe, voluntary return of Rohingya: US
The regional refugee coordinator of the US Embassy in Dhaka, Mackenzie Rowe, has said five years after nearly a million Rohingya were driven from their homes in Myanmar, things have gotten worse.
Conditions in Myanmar do not allow for a safe, voluntary, dignified, or sustainable return, Rowe added.
For the sake of Rohingya, who have borne the brunt of the persecution, she said they must maintain their pressure on the regime to bring such actions to an end. "Until that happens, the door remains shut for a voluntary return of Rohingya to their homeland."
However, the US would help the relevant parties in any way possible for safe and successful repatriation, Rowe said.
She was speaking at the seminar "Rohingya Crisis: The Pathways to Repatriation" organised by the Centre for Genocide Studies (CGS), University of Dhaka, Thursday at the Foreign Service Academy.
At the event, Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen emphasised creating a conducive environment for repatriation by taking tangible and sustainable measures with the help of the international communities.
Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen chaired the seminar.