British High Commissioner to Bangladesh Robert Chatterton Dickson on Sunday said the next national election in Bangladesh is going to be a “very important moment” for all which will help the country build better and productive relationship with its friends globally. The envoy said this at the “Meet the Reporters” programme hosted by Dhaka Reporters’ Unity (DRU) where he expressed his hope for a “fair and credible” process for the elections due at the end of 2023. Read:Our shared aim is to see safe repatriation of Rohingyas: Dickson “There’s ample capacity in Bangladesh to run a free and fair election,” he said, reiterating that election needs to be “Bangladesh-led” and it is not for Bangladesh’s friends to say how this process should run. The high commissioner said the United Kingdom (UK) and their international partners support the “plural and transparent” democracy in Bangladesh provided in the Constitution. Highlighting the importance of a credible Election Commission, he said it will be easier for everybody to have a “productive friendship” with Bangladesh if the election is carried out in a way which is “free, fair and credible.”  Dickson said there will be better relationship between Bangladesh and its friends after a credible election.    Globally, he said, long term stability and economic growth flourish best in open and democratic societies with strong institutions, public accountability and competitive elections. The envoy appreciated the milestones such as the Election Commission formation process and laid emphasis on strong commitments from all parties on a “free and fair” process. He said they are supporting the COVID-19 pandemic response in Bangladesh and provided 4.1 million vaccines under Covax in December last year. “We hope to provide more soon.” He said they have been supporting the Bangladesh ministry of health to develop a well-coordinated national response plan, resourced by all the development partners and the government of Bangladesh. Dickson also talked about Bangladesh-UK flourishing defence relations, human rights issues, trade and investment and climate partnership and media freedom. “We’ll continue to exchange expertise, share technology, facilitate partnerships, and identify practical solutions to common climate challenges, with the shared aim of producing the real change we need to keep the rise in global temperatures below 1.5 degrees,” he said. Read:FM for well-calibrated action agenda for tourism sector This month marks the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Bangladesh and the UK, following Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman’s historic press conference at Claridges’ Hotel, his meeting with PM Edward Heath and his return to a newly liberated Bangladesh by the Royal Air Force. In the intervening half century the relationship has been transformed, said the British envoy. In the 50th year of “Brit-Bangla Bondhon”, the two countries are building on all the links that exist between Bangladesh and the UK, including the diaspora, the 600,000 people living in the UK with Bangladeshi heritage, and the much wider range of links that exist between the two countries on security, defence, climate, COVID-19, trade, and a whole range of issues on which we work very closely with friends and partners in and beyond government in Bangladesh. DRU President Nazrul Islam Mithu and General Secretary Nurul Islam Hasib also spoke welcoming the envoy.

Ambassador of the European Union (EU) to Bangladesh Charles Whiteley on Thursday appreciated the government’s “very open approach” towards the foreign observers for the next national election noting that the EU is keen to follow the polls closely. “I would say we very much welcomed the statement by the foreign minister (Dr AK Abdul Momen) the other day where he said Bangladesh would welcome and have an open approach to any foreign observation missions that would wish to come and follow the elections,” he said. Read: No impact on European business interest in Bangladesh, says EU envoy about sanctions The diplomat made the remarks while responding to a question at a programme titled “Meet the Reporters” hosted by the Dhaka Reporters’ Unity (DRU) at its Nasrul Hamid Auditorium. DRU President Nazrul Islam Mithu and General Secretary Nurul Islam Hasib also spoke at the event. The EU envoy said they follow elections closely all around the world and every year they identify 30 priority countries for EU election observation missions. “And so those priorities for 2023 haven't yet been established.” Ambassador Whiteley clearly said the elections are of great interest and they have a very wide ranging relationship with Bangladesh; and that includes engagement in governance and other issues. “I think that shows a very open approach and we're  certainly keen to follow the elections closely with that in mind,” he said, mentioning that they have seen the steps that the government is now taking in terms of the relevant law. Bangladesh is going to have a legal framework for selecting the chief election commissioner and other election commissioners as parliament passed the “Appointment of the Chief Election Commissioner and Election Commissioners Bill-2022" on Thursday. Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Anisul Haq moved the Bill and it was passed by voice vote. Law Minister Anisul Huq placed the Bill in parliament on January 23 seeking to give a legal shield to the current and previous Election Commissions formed through search committees. It was sent to the respective scrutiny committee for deeper examination. Read:Bangladesh one step away to have a law on EC formation Earlier in his opening remarks, the Ambassador said they are often referred to as the development partner in their relations with Bangladesh. “But the relationship isn't just about development. You know, the relationship is far more intense and wide ranging now than the traditional development partner relationship we had for many years.” He said they will celebrate with Bangladesh to commemorate those 50 years and look forward to the coming decades to further deepen the relations and importantly to witness the transition of Bangladesh into developing country status from an LDC status. The Ambassador said there are challenges on the path to transition and he thinks the government is well aware of those challenges.

Colleagues, friends and well-wishers paid last respect to journalist Habibur Rahman at Dhaka Reporters’ Unity (DRU) on Wednesday followed by his first namaz-e-janaza there. The 35-year-old journalist, also a senior reporter of daily “Shomoyer Alo” died in a motorbike accident in the city’s Hatirjheel area in the early hours of Wednesday. Read: Journalist Reazuddin Ahmed laid to rest Habibur Rahman, a former organising secretary of the DRU, left wife, a two-and-half-year-old son, father, mother and host of relatives and well-wishers to mourn his death. DRU executive committee led by its President Nazrul Islam Mithu and General Secretary Nurul Islam Hasib paid respect to Habibur Rahman placing wreaths on his coffin. Later, Bangladesh Awami League, Prime Minister’s press wing and journalists’ bodies paid respect to him by placing flowers on his coffin. “Habibur Rahman was a very promising young journalist. He was a good soul,” said the DRU president in his brief speech. DRU general secretary Hasib said they worked together in the executive committee of 2017. “I had seen his organizational capacity, honesty and sincerity. He was a dedicated journalist.”

Nagorik Oikya convener Mahmudur Rahman Manna on Thursday criticised the rich section of people for not extending their helping hand to the people hit hard by the coronavirus fallout, saying they have become pauper by siphoning money aboard.

BNP senior leader Moudud Ahmed on Friday laid emphasis on forging a national unity to create awareness among people to tackle the coronavirus.

Stating that those indulge in money laundering are ‘state thugs’, Gonoforum President Dr Kamal Hossain on Thursday urged all to get united to establish ‘effective democracy’ in the country to get rid of ‘plundering, fascism and anarchy’.