Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Kazi Habibul Awal on Thursday said that there is no opportunity for a new dialogue with BNP or any other political party regarding next parliamentary elections expected to be held in January, 2024. He was speaking to the reporters after exchanging views with the government officials at the Deputy Commissioner's office in Patuakhali. He said, “BNP has been repeatedly requested to participate in the upcoming elections. But they always rejected our request.” BNP is adamant in demanding a non-partisan caretaker government and restructuring of the Election Commission, he added. “In this case, there is no chance of a new dialogue with BNP or any other political party regarding the upcoming national parliamentary elections,” he said. Besides, by-elections to the five vacant parliamentary seats of the BNP MPs will be held with EVMs (Electronic Voting Machines), he said. Read more: No outside pressure on Election Commission: CEC However, the EC currently does not have necessary fund for installing CCTV cameras in polling centres in these by-elections, the CEC added. At present, the Election Commission has the capacity of holding elections with EVMs in 50 to 60 seats. Financial allocation has been sought from the government to purchase more EVMs, he said. Following the allocation, the commission is planning to buy new machines and hold elections with EVMs in 150 seats in the next parliamentary elections, he added. The CEC said some EVMs have been out of service due to lack of proper maintenance. A project has been submitted to the government for their proper conservation of EVMs, and the project proposal is now with the Planning Commission. Read more: Govt’s cooperation needed for holding fair election: CEC “If the project is approved, it will be possible to properly maintain the EVMs. This will save the country's money,” said the CEC.

Chairman of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Ministry of Agriculture Matia Chowdhury said on Saturday that climate shocks have the potential to affect the food system, increase inequality and jeopardise people's access to food. Matia said this while speaking as chief guest at a regional dialogue held by The South Asian Policy Leadership for Improved Nutrition and Growth (SAPLING) at Hotel Pan Pacific Sonargaon in the capital recently. Speaking as chief guest at the event, Matia added that the Bangladesh government has ensured substantial progress in ensuring food security for the population. Read: 7.1 million Bangladeshis displaced by climate change in 2022: WHO “Bangladesh is prone to frequent climate shocks that can potentially harm food secuirty. That’s why I believe this dialogue by SAPLING is a great opportunity for cross-learning, knowledge-sharing and for the development of common standards among the member countries for a productive future in food security,” said Matia. The dialogue highlighted the need for technological collaboration and transfers, strengthening knowledge dissemination and exchanges, building capacities, demonstrating solutions, creating financing opportunities and mainstreaming gender across South Asian food systems. The dialogue saw participation from government delegations, multilateral organisations, private sector entities, research institutions and civil society organisations from Bangladesh, India, Nepal, Bhutan and Sri Lanka. The dialogue focused on three thematic areas--climate-smart food systems, post-harvest losses, and food safety standards. Read: Climate Change: UN, Bangladesh to strengthen cooperation The event was jointly organised by BRAC, the current SAPLING Secretariat, in collaboration with IPE Global Limited, an India based international development consulting firm and SAPLING’s knowledge partner. Shamsul Alam, State Minister for the Ministry of Planning, Siddharth Chaturvedi, Senior Programme Officer of Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and Amadou Ba, Senior Agriculture Economist at The World Bank’s (WB) Dhaka office, among others, spoke at the event.

Planning Minister MA Mannan today (September 6, 2022) said that prices of essentials have to be kept within the purchasing capacity of lower income groups. He said this at ‘Development Dialogue' organized by the Development Journalists Forum of Bangladesh (DJFB) at the NEC conference hall in Dhaka. The minister said due to Russia-Ukraine war, food and energy prices have shot up globally and the main challenge for the economy now is to maintain social stability. Read: Economy moving to comfortable zone as inflation eases: Planning minister The planning minister said, “I will be happy if dollar price does not cross Tk 100.” Replying to a query, Mannan said, “Corruption is visible in society. Many efforts continue to reduce corruption in the government projects. Once the project is approved, the responsibility of implementation goes to the executive department. So I can’t do much even if I want to.” However, corruption has reduced somewhat due to various initiatives of the government, the minister said. Read How the record hike in fuel prices manifested in Dhaka’s kitchen markets

President of Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) Faruque Hassan has highlighted the apparel industry’s committed efforts in the area of workers’ rights, well-being and freedom of association. “We believe in dialogue and discussion, and the ILO-SDIR project has significantly contributed to creating a congenial environment for dialogues,” he said. Director of Training, ITCILO Andreas Klemmer met Faruque Hassan at his office on Saturday and discussed the issues of mutual interest. Read: Bangladesh to stay safe, sustainable apparel sourcing destination: BGMEA The International Training Centre of the International Labour Organization (ITCILO) is the training arm of the ILO. The BGMEA President thanked the ITC-ILO for their continuous support to Bangladesh’s RMG industry over the last few years, which has helped the industry to develop a harmonious industrial relation. Neeran Ramjuthan, Programme Manager, Labour Administration and Working Conditions Cluster, ILO Bangladesh, and S M Borhan Uddin, Programme Officer, Governance, Social Dialogue and Industrial Relations (SDIR) Project ILO Country Office for Bangladesh were also present on the occasion. Read BGMEA, Deshifarmer to offer fresh food to RMG workers at fair prices Miran Ali, Vice President of BGMEA, and ANM Saifuddin, Chair of BGMEA Standing Committee on ILO also attended the meeting. They discussed various issues including the role of IRI (Industrial Relations Institute) as per BLA (Bangladesh Labour Law) and BLR (Bangladesh Labour Rules), in support of the capacity building of employers and workers’ representatives on issues related to industrial relations, the existing training package offered by IRI and its effectiveness, BGMEA said on Sunday. ANM Saifuddin, Labour Affairs and ILO, briefed them about the effectiveness of the IRI and praised the initiative, also recommended making it more functional through tripartite collaboration between employers, workers, and government organizations. Read BGMEA wants faster, smoother security clearance services for RMG

A national dialogue on "Fear of Violence" was held in Dhaka Wednesday. Policymakers, law enforcers, and representatives from NGOs, INGOs, and youths from different parts of the country were present. The national dialogue aimed to discuss the situation around fear of violence, how it affects one's daily life, and how to address the situation nationally. Kashfia Feroz, director (girls' rights) at Plan International Bangladesh, moderated the discussion. One of the panellists of the discussion Md Muhibuzzaman, additional secretary at the Ministry of Women and Children Affairs, said: "The government has taken initiatives and involved women in all of its systems. We are moving towards transformation, sharing gender-defined responsibilities." Taslima Yesmin, associate professor of law at the University of Dhaka, highlighted the improvement of the Infrastructural system. She said, "We must ensure a rehabilitation system for the victims."MH Tanshen, country representative of the Malala Foundation, said: "We need collaborative space in educational institutes. We need to have quality teachers through proper training. Furthermore, the teaching methods of the teachers need to improve around fear of violence." Kamrun Nahar, member of Naripokkho, said: "We want freedom; we do not need protection." She also emphasised involving more youths and government officials in the process of challenging fear of violence. Maleka Banu, general secretary of Bangladesh Mahila Parishad, encouraged the youths to challenge the difficult situations they face. According to her, youths need to come forward and stand up for themselves whenever they face any violence. Kashfia said: "Not only violence but also the fear of violence is a huge challenge for young people. By eliminating the fear, youths will be able to fully develop their potential." To build capacity and sensitisation among the youths about challenging and conquering the fear of violence, Plan International Bangladesh and JAAGO Foundation launched a campaign on International Women's Day 2022. The campaign "Challenging Fear of Violence – Shohingshotar Bhoy ar Noy'' was designed to raise mass awareness among youths in Dhaka, Barishal, Rangpur and Cox's Bazar.Also read: Nationwide youth campaign starts 'challenging fear of violence'

BNP held a meeting with Nagorik Oikya on Tuesday, formally kick-starting a dialogue with other opposition parties aimed at forging unity to launch a greater movement for restoration of democracy. “We’ve started talks for waging a greater movement to restore democracy and people’s lost rights, including the right to vote,” said BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir told reporters after the meeting. Also read: BNP initiates formal talks with political parties to wage united Movement The meeting was held at the conference room of the Bangladesh Shishu Kalyan Parishad Building in the city’s Topkhana Road. He said the lost rights can be restored only by establishing “a true government and parliament of the people after ousting the current fascist regime.” “People of the country are expecting that the opposition parties will wage a fruitful and effective movement in unison and a change will come through it for establishing a government and parliament of people,” the BNP leader said. He said they will also talk to other political parties and they hope that they will be able to initiate a joint movement by ending the dialogue quickly. “We hope we can do it very soon.” Fakhrul said the main points of their discussion today were the restoration of democracy, establishing a polls-time neutral government based on the opinions of the political parties, reconstituting the Election Commission, forming a national government, release of Khaleda Zia and all other opposition leaders arrested in fictitious cases, withdrawal of those cases and stopping repression on opposition leaders and activists. “We held an effective discussion in a cordial environment. We hope our talks with other parties will also be fruitful and we’ll be able to present a movement programme very soon,” he said. Fakhrul along with BNP leaders Abdus Salam and Jahiruddin Swapan came to Nagorik Oikya’s office around 5pm and had an one and a half hours of discussion with Mahmudur Rahman Manna and his party’s senior leaders. Also read: BNP plans protest over Hasina's remark on Khaleda Nagorik Oikya convener Manna said they discussed the basic issues of waging a movement. “All opposition parties in the country are saying that a fair, good, acceptable election can’t be held under the current government.” On this basis, he said they will continue a movement until achieving victory for establishing a neutral government to hold a credible national election. “We are considering this meeting as a step towards launching a greater movement.” Earlier in the day, Fakhrul announced to start the dialogue at a press conference at the party chairperson’s Gulshan office. The BNP leader said their party’s standing committee took the decision at its virtual meeting on Monday night. He said they will talk to the political parties and finalise the outline of a united movement through the discussions. The BNP leader said they will sit with other opposition parties in phases. Asked whether they will hold a discussion with Jamaat-e-Islami, Fakhrul said they want to talk to every party, including Jamaat. Replying to another question about the existence of the 20-party alliance, it has not been abolished yet. “We’ll finalise the future course of the alliance through the talks.” Responding to a question, he said they are not going to call their new political platform an alliance. “The format will be finalised through discussions.”

UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet on Tuesday called on the authorities in Sri Lanka to prevent further violence, and urged restraint and meaningful dialogue to address the grievances of the population amid the severe economic crisis in the country. “I am deeply troubled by the escalation of violence in Sri Lanka after supporters of the Prime Minister attacked peaceful protestors in Colombo yesterday 9 May and the subsequent mob violence against members of the ruling party,” Bachelet said. Also read: India vows to support Sri Lanka's stability Seven people have died during the incidents - including a Member of Parliament and two local officials, over 250 were injured, and the properties of others were destroyed by arson throughout the country, according to a message received here from Geneva. “I condemn all violence and call on the authorities to independently, thoroughly and transparently investigate all attacks that have occurred. It is crucial to ensure that those found responsible, including those inciting or organising violence, are held to account.” The High Commissioner also called on the authorities to prevent further violence and to protect the right to peaceful assembly. “Authorities, including military personnel deployed in support of security forces, should exercise restraint in policing the situation and ensure that measures adopted in the context of the state of emergency comply with international human rights norms and are not used to stifle dissent or hinder peaceful protest,” she stressed. The State has a responsibility to ensure the right to life and to exercise due diligence to protect the lives of individuals against violence by private individuals or entities. The severe economic crisis has made daily life a struggle for most Sri Lankans. It has also highlighted grievances, which require national dialogue and deeper structural reforms, Bachelet said. It has brought together people from various ethnicities and religions to demand greater transparency, accountability and participation in democratic life. “I urge the Sri Lankan Government to engage in meaningful dialogue with all parts of society to find a pathway forward and address the socio-economic challenges people, especially vulnerable and marginalized groups, are facing. I call on the Government to address the broader political and systemic root causes that have long perpetuated discrimination and undermined human rights.” Also read: Sri Lanka anti-government protests continue despite curfew Bachelet said the UN Human Rights Office will continue to closely watch and report on the situation in the country. She expressed hope that Sri Lanka would find a peaceful solution to the current crisis to alleviate people’s suffering, strengthen democracy and human rights, and prevent further violence.

Bangladesh and the United States (US) on Wednesday held the 8th "Security Dialogue" and discussed issues of mutual interests in a broader security sphere.  Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen led the Bangladesh delegation while Under Secretary for Arms Control and International Security Bonnie Denise Jenkins led the US delegation at the dialogue that began at 9am (Washington DC time) Wednesday. It continued till 4pm (Washington DC time). For the first time, a foreign secretary-level security dialogue between the two countries was held instead of a DG-level. During US Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs Victoria Nuland's recent Bangladesh visit, the US shared a draft on the General Security of Military Information Agreement (GSOMIA) which is seen as a "gateway" to do more on the security front. "We're very confident that we'll be able to get the issue settled so that we can do more on the security side together," she told reporters during a joint media briefing in Dhaka. The US is pushing to conclude certain foundational defence agreements – GSOMIA and Acquisition and Cross Servicing Agreement (ACSA), which are "essential" to enabling a closer defence relationship, expanding opportunities for defence trade, information sharing, and military-to-military cooperation between two countries. Bangladesh says it is still examining the proposals. For 50 years, the US and Bangladesh have enjoyed cordial diplomatic ties and partnered on a wide range of security issues, including border security, maritime security, counterterrorism, peacekeeping, defence trade, and defence institution building, according to the US Department of State. The US engages Bangladesh through several bilateral and multilateral fora. The two governments continue to work together to advance a shared vision of a free, open, inclusive, peaceful, and secure Indo-Pacific. Since 2015, the US has provided $66.9 million in foreign military financing (FMF) and $7.29 million in international military education and training (IMET) assistance to Bangladesh. FMF assistance includes $10 million in bilateral programming and $56.9 million in Bay of Bengal Initiative Regional FMF. The US Department of State's Bay of Bengal Initiative, through support provided via FMF, seeks to enhance the capacity of civilian and military actors to detect illicit activity within their borders and in the region.   Also, it aims to build networks and habits of cooperation to enable countries to share information, develop their capacity to respond promptly to illicit activity, and support our partners in enabling a rules-based order in the Indian Ocean.

European Commission High Representative Josep Borrell Fontelles has said the European Union (EU) remains in constant dialogue with Bangladesh’s authorities on the whole spectrum of their relations, including human rights agenda.  "The upcoming EU-Bangladesh Joint Commission and subgroup on good governance and human rights are notable venues to continue these discussions," he said while responding to a letter written by Ivan Stefanec, Member of the European Parliament. On January 20, the MEP wrote a letter in which he expressed his concerns regarding the human rights situation in Bangladesh.  Describing Bangladesh as one of the most densely populated, disaster-prone and climate change affected countries in the world, Fontelles said Bangladesh has been very successful in reducing poverty and increasing access to primary education in the last decades.  "The EU appreciates its longstanding partnership with Bangladesh on multiple fronts, including on trade, development cooperation, migration, climate action and regional security," he said.  Fontelles said they notably appreciate Bangladesh's contribution to regional security and stability by hosting approximately 1 million Rohingya refugees who fled Myanmar.  Bangladesh is the largest beneficiary of the EU’s Everything But Arms preferential trade scheme in the world, he mentioned. READ: 3 EU prime ministers visit Kyiv as Russian attacks intensify Despite this remarkable socio-economic development, Fontelles said local and international observers, including the UN Committee against Torture (CAT) and the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), continue to raise concerns over allegations of widespread use of torture and ill-treatment by security forces. Extrajudicial killings and enforced disappearances remain a matter of major concern and require thorough and conclusive investigations as well as full accountability for those responsible, he said. Furthermore, Fontelles said, the Digital Security Act (DSA) imposes undue restrictions on freedom of expression in the digital space, and we welcome signals from the government that the DSA will be aligned to international standards. 

Bangladesh has underscored the need for having an economic component in the Indo-Pacific Strategy (IPS), in response to which the US side informed that "Economic Framework" of the IPS would be released soon. During the Partnership Dialogue held at State guesthouse Padma on Sunday, the two governments reaffirmed their commitment to enduring partnership, highlighting close cooperation on security, development, humanitarian assistance, and counterterrorism. The two governments agreed to continue to cooperate closely to advance a shared vision of a free, open, inclusive, peaceful, and secure Indo-Pacific region. Bangladesh and the US also passed a “draft” on the General Security of Military Information Agreement (GSOMIA) which is seen as a "gateway" to do more on the security front. "Today, we passed a draft agreement and we are very confident that we will be able to get the issue settled so that we can do more on the security side together," US Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs Victoria Nuland told reporters during a joint media briefing. The United States is currently working with the Government of Bangladesh to conclude certain foundational defence agreements (GSOMIA and ACSA), which are "essential" to enabling a closer defence relationship, expanding opportunities for defence trade, information sharing, and military-to-military cooperation between our two countries. The GSOMIA is a foundational government-to-government bilateral agreement that will permit greater collaboration and sharing of classified military information in the form of intelligence and classified information U.S. defence equipment.   GSOMIA is a reciprocal, legally binding agreement that ensures governments understand and commit to protecting classified military information at an equivalent level of security, according to US documents. It does not obligate or commit governments to share classified information or material, it only ensures equivalent protection of the information if shared.   Responding to a question, Nuland said there are economic, security and technology elements in the IPS and they would love to see Bangladesh be involved in much of it (IPS). Discussion on the issue of repatriation of forcibly displaced Rohingyas also took place. Bangladesh shared its priority on the repatriation of the displaced Rohingyas as soon as possible. Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen who led the Bangladesh side suggested that the recently concluded MoU between Bangladesh and UNHCR on Bhasan Char should pave the way for US humanitarian assistance in Bhasan Char. Nuland assured of the US’s continued political and humanitarian support for the Rohingya crisis. The FS also called upon the US side to consider restoring GSP facilities for Bangladeshi RMG exports and also requested US support for the trade facilitation proposals for graduating LDCs in the auspices of the WTO.