The government has said they do not have any information on whether any Bangladeshi students’ visa applications were rejected by the Embassy of Poland in New Delhi on the basis of religious identity but it has been learned that some Bangladeshi students have had their visa applications rejected. Spokesperson at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) Mohammad Rafiqul Alam came up with the updates in a written answer during weekly media briefing on Tuesday. He said the Bangladesh Embassy in Poland is in talks with the Polish government to open an Embassy in Bangladesh. Turkish ambassador Ramis Sen pays courtesy visit to Trade Adviser Until then, efforts are being made to introduce a system so that students or workers interested in going to Poland can apply for visas in Bangladesh, said the Spokesperson. Alam said it is important that the Polish government has made some policy changes in accepting applications from foreign students interested in higher education in Poland, which have come into effect from August 1, 2024. In this case, he said, a student will have to obtain an equivalent certificate before applying. Due to the complicated process, the Spokesperson said most of the students fail to do this and many educational institutions are not looking on this issue generously. No decision yet on repatriation of Sheikh Hasina: MoFA Referring to what the Polish educationists think, Alam said, the number of foreign students this year will be lower than last year, but it will return to normal next year as this information will reach the educational institutions by then.

Amid growing tensions between two close neighbors, Bangladesh and India on Tuesday affirmed commitment to have a friendly relationship considering the existing “multifaceted and wide-ranging” relations. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) summoned Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Pranay Verma following the attack on Bangladesh Assistant High Commission premises in Agartala during protests against alleged attacks on minorities in Bangladesh. Talking to reporters after his meeting with acting Foreign Secretary Riaz Hamidullah, the High Commissioner said the “multifaceted and wide-ranging” relations between the two countries cannot be reduced to one issue. Visa, consular services at Bangladesh mission in Agartala suspended Chief Adviser’s Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam, at a separate briefing at the Foreign Service Academy, said India is a big neighbour and Bangladesh wants good relations with the neighbor. “But we think this good relationship should be based on just and equity.” High Commissioner Verma said they want to build a “constant, stable and constructive” relationship with Bangladesh. Talking to reporters briefly at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, he said they are interested in working with Bangladesh to fulfill their shared aspirations in the field of peace, security and development. He also said there are many interdependencies and they want to build on that for mutual benefits. Pranay Verma entered the ministry around 4pm on Tuesday. Asked, Foreign Adviser Md Touhid Hossain said he (Indian envoy) had been asked to come. India really wants stable, constructive relationship with Bangladesh: Verma Additional security measures were taken around the ministry with the deployment of army and police personnel. Meanwhile, all visa and consular services at the Bangladesh Assistant High Commission in Agartala of Tripura have been suspended for an indefinite period. A notification signed by Md Al Amin, first secretary of the Assistant High Commission office, was issued on Tuesday. CA’s Press Secretary said Bangladesh is following due diplomatic process and the government is doing everything whatever necessary. The government of Bangladesh on Monday said it “deeply resents” the “violent demonstration and attack” by a large group of protesters of the Hindu Sangharsh Samity of Agartala on the premises of the Assistant High Commission of Bangladesh in Agartala. Attack on Bangladesh Mission: India arrests 7, suspends 3 cops The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in a statement, underlined that this “heinous attack” on a diplomatic mission of Bangladesh and desecration of the national flag of Bangladesh comes in a pattern, further to a similar violent demonstration in Kolkata on 28 November 2024. “This particular act in Agartala stands in violation of the inviolability of diplomatic missions, as the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, 1961, asks for,” the ministry said. “We conveyed our concerns to India. Our MoFA (ministry of foreign affairs) is working accordingly,” CA’s Press Secretary Alam said. CA’s Deputy Press Secretaries Apurba Jahangir and Abul Kalam Azad Majumder were present.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) has said that no decision has been made yet regarding the repatriation of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina from India. Speaking at a press briefing on Thursday, Toufique Hasan, Director General of the Public Diplomacy Division and the MoFA spokesperson, said that the issue is political in nature and any decision will come from the highest authorities within the government. Hasan said that the ministry had not received any instructions regarding the matter and that it would likely be discussed in the upcoming Bangladesh-India Foreign Office Consultation (FOC). He explained that while media reports had circulated on the issue, the MoFA was not aware about any official discussions and would act in accordance with government decisions. Hasan also shared updates on several diplomatic efforts being pursued by Bangladesh, including the Bangladesh-India Foreign Office Consultation, reiterating that the FOC will be the first step in that direction. Responding to questions from journalists about international pressures on domestic political matters, Hasan denied any external influence on Bangladesh's internal affairs, particularly regarding the Awami League. He said that no foreign government had raised concerns or made requests about banning the political party. Bhutanese envoy meets Fakhrul, discusses Saarc revival The spokesperson also talked about the ongoing situation involving Bangladeshi nationals detained in the UAE following protests in July. He said the ministry continues to monitor these developments closely and will provide further updates as the situation progresses.

The government has taken an initiative to ensure safe return of Bangladeshis who got stuck in troubled Lebanon, said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.  The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment are working together for the return of Bangladeshis trapped in war-torn Lebanon. The government is working closely with all concerned to bring back all the Bangladeshis who wish to return from Lebanon safely, said the MoFA. Khurshed Alam will carry out Foreign Secretary’s routine activities until further notice: MoFA An inter-ministerial meeting has already been held with the participation of Foreign Secretary Md Jashim Uddin, Expatriates’ Welfare Secretary Md Ruhul Amin and Managing Director & CEO of Biman Bangladesh Airlines Limited Dr. Md. Shafiqur Rahman. Bangladesh Mission Heads assigned to the Middle East joined the meeting on the Zoom platform. The Foreign Secretary has issued necessary instructions to the Bangladeshi ambassador in Lebanon to take necessary measures for the safe return of Bangladeshis stranded in Lebanon. He also gave necessary instructions to ensure the safety of all the expatriate Bangladeshis staying there who do not want to come to the country. Already, a notification has been issued to enroll Bangladeshis who wish to return from the embassy and initially about a thousand migrant workers are said to be willing to return home.

In a somber announcement on Tuesday (February 20, 2024), the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) revealed the identities of eight Bangladeshis who met a tragic fate while attempting to cross the Mediterranean Sea. The individuals, embarking on an unauthorized voyage from Libya to Europe, drowned in a devastating incident that underscores the perilous journey faced by many seeking a better life abroad. The victims, identified as Sajal, Nayan Biswas, Mamun Seikh, Kazi Sajeeb, Kaisar, Rifat, Russell, and Imrul Kayes Apon, hailed from the Madaripur and Gopalganj districts of Bangladesh. Specifically, the first five victims originated from various villages within the Rajoir upazila of Madaripur, while the remaining were from Muksudpur upazila in Gopalganj. Read more: Out of options, Rohingya fleeing Myanmar and Bangladesh by boat despite soaring death toll The details were shared in a press release distributed by MoFA, which aimed to shed light on the tragic event and its impact on the victims’ communities. The ill-fated journey began on February 13, when a boat carrying individuals from Bangladesh, Pakistan, Egypt, and Syria set sail from a Libyan coastal area with hopes of reaching Europe. The group comprised 27 Bangladeshis, 8 Pakistanis, 3 Egyptians, 5 Syrians, and an Egyptian individual who navigated the boat. However, their aspirations were cut short when the vessel capsized off the Tunisian coast in the early hours of February 14. Rescue operations later recovered the bodies of the eight Bangladeshis and one Pakistani, which were subsequently transferred to local hospitals. The foreign ministry's report further highlighted that among the Bangladeshi victims, seven were traveling without passports, indicating the desperate measures taken by individuals in pursuit of better opportunities. Read more: Bangladesh wants to boost cooperation with Libya to curb illegal migration

The government of Bangladesh has said it expects that the local undemocratic forces that resort to violence, arson and destruction would remain cautious and refrain from their misguided efforts to jeopardize the electoral process as mandated by the Constitution. It is entirely up to the people of Bangladesh to sustain the hard-earned democratic process, political stability and development gains in the country, said the government in a statement. Read more: Nothing to worry about new US visa policy; don't want arson, violence: Momen "The government appreciates that the international community including the US firmly stands by Prime Minister’s sustained commitment to ensure free and fair elections," said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Thursday (May 25, 2023) while responding to new visa policy announced by the US government. The government apparatus will take necessary measures to prevent and address any unlawful practices or interference by any individual, group or entity to compromise the smooth and participatory conduct of the elections, MoFA said. The electoral process will remain under strict vigilance, including by international observers as accredited by the Election Commission, it said. Read more: New US visa policy declared targeting next Bangladesh polls The government of Bangladesh has taken note of the announcement made by the US Secretary of State on a visa restriction policy pursuant to the so-called 3C provision under the US Immigration and Act. "Bangladesh would like to view this announcement in the broader context of its government’s unequivocal commitment to holding free and fair elections at all levels for upholding the country’s democratic process," MoFA said. Under Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s leadership, Bangladesh remains a democratic and politically stable nation with experience of holding a series of elections at national and local levels, said the government. Read more: New visa policy to be implemented fairly on govt & oppn: Donald Lu Since the general elections in 2008, it is evident that the people of the country experienced unprecedented socio-economic development and empowerment due to continued political stability under the Awami League government. This resulted in the reduction of headcount poverty from 41.5% in 2006 to 18.7% in 2022, and of extreme poverty from 25.1% to 5.6% during the same period. Now an "international role model" for development, Bangladesh has become eligible for graduation from the UN Least Developed Country (LDC) status by 2026. These have been achieved due to the Awami League government being elected to office for three consecutive terms over the last fourteen years. The people of Bangladesh are very much conscious of their democratic and voting rights, MoFA said. Read more: US govt’s new visa policy does not bother Bangladesh government: Shahriar Alam There is no precedent for any government to continue in office having usurped people’s mandate through vote rigging, it said. The people’s right to franchise is considered a State sanctity by the Awami League government that has a political legacy of unrelenting struggles and sacrifice for securing that right. The government attaches importance to freedom of assembly and association for all peaceful and legitimate democratic processes. The electoral reform process in Bangladesh continues in a consultative manner involving all concerned stakeholders, MoFA said. As part of the process, photo-based voter ID cards were issued in response to the 10.23 million fraudulent voters enlisted by the Bangladesh Nationalist Party-led government. Read more: New visa policy to help PM Hasina's govt in holding fair elections: US The use of transparent ballot boxes has also been made the norm to establish confidence among the electorate as well as the polling officials and agents. The National Election Commission continues to be equipped with the wherewithal to carry out its functions in full independence, credibility and efficiency, MoFA said. The present government took the initiative for the first time to get the Chief Election Commissioner and Other Election Commissioners Appointment Act, 2022 enacted by the National Parliament. Pursuant to this law, a new Election Commission has been constituted. Read more: Bangladesh's upcoming national polls will be under AL govt: PM Hasina  As mandated by the Bangladesh Constitution and Representation of the People Order, 1972, the entire executive machinery will remain at the Election Commission’s disposal to assist in the discharge of its responsibilities in a way as it may direct, MoFA said.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) recently arranged a webinar on how rivers are legal, living persons with rights. Justice Md Ashraful Kamal, who delivered the judgment on the River Turag in 2019, presented the keynote at the "Legal Personhood of River." He highlighted the importance of the landmark ruling by the High Court Division that granted "legal personhood" to all rivers, declaring that all rivers in Bangladesh are entitled to legal protection under the Public Trust Doctrine (PTD). The judgment also included 17 key directives to the executive for dealing with river pollution and encroachment issues and for the survival of rivers as continuing ecosystem elements. "Because of these directives, river polluters have been banned from participating in the elections, the National River Conservation Commission as the 'guardian' of all rivers has been established, and polluters have been barred from receiving bank loans among other measures," Ashraful said. The concept of the legal personhood of the river is based on the legal recognition of the planetary ecosystems and other non-human entities as legal persons who have legal rights to protect the environment. Proponents of the concept say that legal systems should recognise the inherent value of the environment, including its survival as well as its enrichment. This means that certain entities cannot be harmed, corrupted or degraded without their consent. Sustainable rivers: Dhaka for 'just sharing' of waters, basin-wise river management For example, granting personhood status to ecosystems and animals can lead to greater protection from environmental degradation as well as a stronger voice in environmental decision-making. Against this backdrop, diplomats, scholars and activists are pushing to give nature legal personhood, with some countries such as Ecuador and Bolivia recently passing laws recognising the rights of nature. Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen said with the remarkable verdict Bangladesh had joined a growing number of communities, tribal nations, and countries, in securing a new form of legal protection for nature which recognises that nature is a living entity with legal rights. Syed Muntasir Mamun, director general of International Trade, Investment and Technology and ICT wings of MoFA, highlighted how the verdict is very much in line with Bangladesh's strong commitment to upholding the rights of all and maintaining the autonomy and agency of the human ecosystem under the guardianship of the public. Read more: HC delivers landmark verdict, declares Turag as living being

State Minister for Foreign Affairs Md Shahriar Alam on Tuesday said the government needed to inform foreign missions in Dhaka that there is no room for “misinformation” and “confusion” “It is nothing new. It falls within the normal diplomatic practice as we always do that and keep all informed when something major happens,” he told reporters, noting that BNP’s plan to create anarchy centering its December 10 rally “didn’t work”. Alam said BNP is spreading propaganda at home and abroad and they had chosen December 10 as major countries announced new sanctions on December 9. BNP tried to block major Dhaka streets from December 7, he added. Read more: Tension over Dec 10 rally: Momen says govt doesn’t want conflict, will maintain maximum restraint The government will not allow deliberate violence and vandalism that are threats to public security, the state minister said. He said BNP invested millions of dollars and pounds on lobbyists who assured the party that there will be more sanctions. “Centering this, they were in a celebratory mood and wanted to prove that the government does not have any friends,” Alam said. Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) offered BNP the permission to hold their public rally at the historic Suhrawardy Udyan that has enough space for a large gathering. Alam said that BNP did not accept the venue, as it did not go with their spirit, and they did not have the ability to bring people in large numbers. Read more: US Embassy issues alert for its citizens in Bangladesh He said politics is “not like a picnic” and it is not acceptable to block streets and disrupt public movement. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs on December 12 shared a “non-paper on recent political situation in Bangladesh” with all foreign missions and office of the UN Resident Coordinator in Dhaka. Assessing the possible implications on security, public safety, safety of properties, public mobility and overall law-and-order situation in the capital ahead of Victory Day on December 16, the historic Suhrawardy Udyan was offered.  “Presumably, BNP leaders wanted to make a political issue out of the venue. Their objective was to create anarchy on the busy public street as they did in 2014 and 2018 before the national elections,” the MoFA note reads. Read more: UN reminds Bangladesh of commitments to free expression, peaceful assembly It mentioned that the BNP wanted to take common people under hostage situations to make their unlawful demand. BNP plotted to use the constitutional right to peaceful assembly with unlawful and violent intentions, according to the document seen by UNB. According to police, cocktails were also found in the BNP party office. The circumstantial evidence shows that the actual plan of the BNP was to occupy the street forcefully and unlawfully three days prior to the scheduled public gathering, according to the MoFA document. Later BNP agreed on an alternative venue (Golapbagh Math) for their December 10 rally, and the meeting went peacefully without any major incident. “This reflects the government’s willingness and efforts to ensure freedom of expression and assembly,” reads the document.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Monday 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. Read: Canada's contribution to Bangladesh's development historic: GM QuaderHe said a note verbale was handed over to the ambassador.On Sunday, the foreign secretary said it will 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.Locals got panicked seeing the mortar shells which remained unexploded.  

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) Monday organised a discussion to remember and mourn the assassination of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and most of his family on August 15, 1975. Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen chaired the session discussion at the Foreign Service Academy in Dhaka. Sheikh Kabir Hossain, trustee of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Memorial Trust, spoke as the chief guest. Read: Momen to countries sheltering Bangabandhu’s killers: 'It's very unfair:' State Minister for Foreign Affairs Md Shahriar Alam spoke at the event as a special guest. Lawmaker Md Abdul Majid Khan and eminent writer Professor Anwara Syed Haque also spoke. Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen delivered the welcome remarks.