Diplomats representing 27 European countries, stationed in Dhaka and New Delhi, will together meet Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus soon in a show of support to his interim government and boost economic cooperation with Bangladesh. "Never before, 27 ambassadors from the European Union have come together to discuss with the government," said Prof Yunus. The reason for this meeting is to express the EU's support and to develop high-level cooperation in the economic field, he said on Sunday evening in his televised speech to the nation. Twenty ambassadors from 20 European countries are based in New Delhi, and seven ambassadors are based in Dhaka. The twenty European ambassadors from Delhi will come to Dhaka in the next few days to meet Prof Yunus together with the seven ambassadors based in Dhaka. Read: Commonwealth to work with interim govt to build "inclusive, prosperous" Bangladesh: ASG The ambassadors of various countries who voluntarily met Prof Yunus in Dhaka have already reiterated the commitment of their heads of government. They have started working on a completely new framework for helping the interim government. "The ambassadors who are based in Delhi have come from Delhi to meet me," Prof Yunus said. Ambassadors from many countries, including Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Brazil, Turkey, Russia, Finland, Singapore, and Libya, have already met Prof Yunus. He said the diplomats have assured him of increasing trade and investment, along with various bilateral cooperation.

Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus congratulated the Bangladesh national women's football team for clinching the title of the SAFF championship in Nepal on Wednesday. "Great achievement of our women football team," he said in a statement. "I am proud of you. The whole nation is proud of you. Congratulations to all the players who brought us this glory," Prof Yunus said. Bangladesh clinches second consecutive SAFF Women’s Championship with 2-1 win over Nepal Bangladesh's women's football team made history Wednesday, securing their second consecutive South Asian Football Federation (SAFF) Women's Championship title with a 2-1 victory over host nation Nepal at Kathmandu’s Dashrath Rangasala Stadium. In a repeat of their 2022 triumph, Bangladesh once again defeated Nepal in the final, cementing their unbeaten streak in the seven-nation tournament.

UN Human Rights High Commissioner Volker Türk on Wednesday laid emphasis on investigating all killings and highlighted the importance of freedom of assembly, expression and political participation. “When it comes to any killings – they need to be investigated irrespective of perpetrators. That’s very clear. All killings need to be investigated, that is what human rights demands. We cannot allow killings to happen with impunity," he said while responding to a question at a media briefing wrapping up his two-day visit. UN Human Rights Office spokesperson Ravina Shamdasani and UN Resident Coordinator in Bangladesh Gwyn Lewis were also present. It is crucial that the strong winds of change are harnessed and directed with human rights as the compass, said the UN rights chief. He said criminal justice is key, but it is crucial to ensure that charges are not brought in haste, and that due process and fair trial standards are upheld throughout, including in the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT). “I found the interim government to be aware of the problems with the proceedings in the International Crimes Tribunal in the past. My Office has provided comments on amending the ICT law, to bring it into line with international standards and to ensure the right to fair trial, and that justice is served without compromising due process,” he said. Turk said they will be looking at other ways that they can accompany and support this process. “I hope there will also be a public discussion on the use of the death penalty in the future. My own view, informed by the law and by evidence, is clear: the death penalty should be relegated to the past,” he added. The UN rights chief said it is key that criminal cases are not filed against individuals solely on the basis of their previous political affiliation, including members or supporters of Awami League. There are concerns that some charges are not founded on proper investigation, including a large number of murder charges against journalists. It is important not to repeat the patterns of the past, he said. “I welcome the creation by the interim government of a committee to look into this matter as a tool to address the possible proliferation of false cases. It is essential to prioritize due process,” he mentioned. Türk said to restore social cohesion and trust in institutions of the state, it will be crucial to rebuild the civic space that was progressively strangled in recent years. “This will require reforming repressive laws, as well as state institutions that have been in the habit of stifling dissent,” he said, adding that old habits die hard – only systemic change will ensure that the freedoms of expression, of association and peaceful assembly, and the right to political participation are respected. Asked about the banning of Awami League's students wing - Chhatra League using the Anti-Terrorism Act, the UN rights chief said there have been a lot of discussions about terrorism laws and the so-called war on terror. "We have seen the consequences of it because, unfortunately, the labelling of terrorism has been done in a way that has often also included people who disagree, who are political dissidents," Turk said. “So, let's not forget that Nelson Mandela, our big hero who has been healing a whole country, was considered a terrorist by the South African apartheid regime,” he added. About the proposal of banning the Awami League for the July-August killings, Turk said they hope that human rights remain the compass of any process. “And human rights law is clear about it - it promotes the freedom of assembly, the freedom of association, the freedom of political participation. Non recurrence of the past means that you are when it comes to political participation, for example, that you are guided by the very clear provision of human rights law,” said the UN human rights chief said. “You need accountability. You need justice. As I mentioned, you need truth telling. You need memorial, and you need what I mentioned as well, the non-recurrence of the past.” On the healing process, he said there needs to be national ownership for national healing to happen. “The national healing process has always to be one that is homegrown.” “This unique, unprecedented moment in the history of Bangladesh is the result of young men and women having taken to the streets – at great personal risk – to express that they had had enough of being ignored and marginalized,” he added. The UN rights chief welcomed steps taken to repeal the Cyber Security Act, and to withdraw old cases of speech crimes under this law and the Digital Security Act. He also welcomed statements by Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus that reinforce Bangladesh’s commitment to human rights, to social justice, and accountability, that acknowledge the need for comprehensive reforms in various institutions, including law enforcement, as well as the need to address economic inequalities. The rapid establishment of commissions to recommend reforms in the judiciary, the election system, the administration, police, the constitution, and Anti-Corruption Commission is commendable, Türk said. “I understand further commissions are being formed on health, media, labour rights and women’s affairs. In my discussions today with several of the commissioners, we discussed the importance of trust-building, inclusivity and the lessons that Bangladesh can draw from experiences in other countries that have grappled with similar issues,” he added. Türk said all these reforms could be a powerful step towards easing decades of intense political division in the country and curbing the patronage politics that have weakened its democratic foundations. The pursuit of justice for the brutal violence against protestors and other people – including children – killed and seriously wounded in July and August is a priority, he said. He was encouraged that in many of the discussions, there was a call for enhanced support of his office, including through a strengthened presence. “We look forward to concluding the discussions on the modalities of our enhanced presence in Bangladesh with the interim government,” said the UN rights chief. The invitation for his office to deploy a fact-finding mission on human rights violations in the context of protests which took place in July and August this year was an important initiative by the interim authorities. “A stronger presence in Bangladesh will enable my office to accompany and support the transition process in this area and in other areas, including by offering advice on legal, institutional, economic and social reforms, transitional justice, reconciliation, and healing,” Türk said. It is a priority for his office to support this dynamic, diverse country and its people through this period of transition, and to do everything they can to help ensure the protection and promotion of human rights for all in Bangladesh, he said. The UN team might take a month to submit its report on human rights violations committed from July 1 to August 15. Earlier, the UN rights chief received an official invitation from the Chief Adviser to conduct an impartial and independent fact-finding mission into human rights violations committed from July 1 to August 15. The office deployed a fact-finding team to Bangladesh, with a view to reporting on violations and abuses perpetrated during the protests, analysing root causes and making recommendations to advance justice and accountability and for longer-term reforms.

Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus on Saturday urged the country’s people to work together to create an environment where any religious community can celebrate their festivals smoothly without the need for protection from law enforcement agencies. He, however, thanked the law enforcement agencies, including the police and army, for their sincere efforts in ensuring a successful and joyous celebration of Durga Puja, the biggest religious festival of the Hindu community. The Chief Adviser made the remarks while addressing a programme at Dhakeshwari National Temple. He visited the temple in Old Dhaka and exchanged greetings with members of the Hindu community on the auspicious occasion of Durga Puja. “We have created a scope for you to celebrate the puja festival with the support of the law enforcement agencies. We’ll all work together so that we do not need to do it (celebration of puja with the protection of law enforcers) anymore in the future,” Dr Yunus told the devotees. He said the government and all stakeholders, including law enforcement agencies, made sincere efforts to ensure a smooth celebration of Durga Puja without any untoward incidents. The Chief Adviser said all state forces, including the police, army, RAB, and Ansar, flawlessly discharged their duties despite various challenges. “It’s a tough task, but they executed it impeccably. They demonstrated that success can be achieved when everyone works together in unity. I thank them for carrying out such a tough duty during the holidays.” He also said, “We remind ourselves that arranging our joyous festivals with the help of the army, police and RAB is our failure. It’s not normal. We’re accepting this failure for now. This is our failure that we couldn’t build society in a way where a section of society can celebrate its festivals joyfully with all.” Dr Yunus said the nation does not want a society where people must celebrate their festivals with the assistance of law enforcers. “A segment of society should be able to celebrate its festivals alongside everyone else, with support from others. That’s how it should be. But we haven’t achieved that.” In this reality, he noted that students, along with the masses and workers, initiated a revolution, sacrificing their lives with the dream of building a new Bangladesh and creating opportunities for all. Dr Yunus exchanges greetings with Hindu community at Dhakeswari Temple “We want to materialise this dream. We don’t want it to remain in just words... We aim to build a Bangladesh where all our citizens can enjoy equal rights,” said Nobel Peace Prize laureate Dr Yunus. The Chief Adviser said a wave of festivity has swept across the country on the occasion of Durga Puja, coinciding with the opportunity for citizens to enjoy four consecutive days of holidays. He said not only the Sanatan practitioners but everyone has been celebrating the occasion with joy and enthusiasm. Regarding the formation of six commissions to implement state reforms, Dr Yunus said these reforms are essential to eliminate all the elements that people find objectionable. “This will ensure that your sons and daughters can move freely, express their opinions, and participate in any event with full rights.” He said the current government is committed to building a Bangladesh where everyone, irrespective of their caste or creed, can enjoy equal rights, security, and the confidence to move freely across the country. “This will empower them to pursue their dreams and actively work towards realising those aspirations.” “It’s possible to build that Bangladesh. It may seem like we’re discussing an imaginary Bangladesh, and indeed it feels like a matter of imagination since it doesn’t practically exist. However, it is possible to turn this dream into reality. The student-led mass upsurge has created this possibility,” Dr Yunus said.  He said it is not possible to build a new Bangladesh merely by talking without purpose as in the past. “We need to break free from this futile habit. We must identify the new elements needed for a new Bangladesh and work to establish them.” The Chief Adviser noted that while they have established some commissions for reforms, these commissions alone will not be sufficient to bring about change in the country. He said the commissions have been established to consolidate the nation's dreams into a single vision. “We’re now filled with great dreams following the student-led revolution. These dreams need a clear outline, as we are stating our intentions to amend the constitution, reform the Election Commission and the electoral system, among other things,” Dr Yunus said. Through the revolution, he said, the nation emerged from a society where all rights were concentrated in the hands of a small group, leaving the majority deprived of their rights. The Chief Adviser said everyone’s rights must be established by the state to ensure that no one is deprived of their rights and justice again. “Those who will snatch these rights must face punishment. This was the dream of the revolution. To bring this dream into a structured framework, the commissions have been formed. They will consult with all stakeholders and provide us with an outline within three months.” Dr Yunus urged everyone not to miss the opportunity to build their envisioned Bangladesh. “A great chance has arisen to reform or change this country. Don’t let it slip away. If this opportunity is lost, we may never be able to reform the state. The students and the people have given us a lamp of Alauddin (a magic lamp) in our hands. We can do whatever we desire,” he said. He also urged the people not to limit themselves to small dreams but to aspire for a bigger vision. “Be prepared to build a truly new Bangladesh and support it (reform efforts), and declare loudly that we want it (new Bangladesh),” he said.     

Egypt has invited Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus to attend the D-8 Summit which will be held later this year.  Ambassador of Egypt to Bangladesh Omar Mohie Eldin Ahmed Fahmy met Foreign Affairs Adviser Md Touhid Hossain on Wednesday and informed that Egypt would host the D-8 Summit in 2024. He conveyed Egypt's invitation for the participation of the chief adviser, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.  The D-8 Organization for Economic Cooperation, also known as Developing-8, is an organisation for development co-operation among Bangladesh, Egypt, Indonesia, Iran, Malaysia, Nigeria, Pakistan, and Turkey.  Egypt keen to import rawhides from Bangladesh The establishment of D-8  Organization for Economic Cooperation was announced officially through the Istanbul Declaration of Summit of Heads of State/Government on June 15, 1997.

State Minister for Foreign Affairs Md Shahriar Alam on Tuesday said Bangladesh has an independent judicial process and the court will take decisions based on evidence regarding Prof Muhammad Yunus. “They can observe the proceedings. We welcome that surely,” he told reporters regarding those who wrote a letter in favour of the Nobel laureate. The state minister wanted to know whether there is any instance in the world where allegations against a person cannot be investigated. Together for Yunus: World leaders past and present joined by Nobel laureates, popstars and tycoons in letter to PM “What I want to say is that there has been no influence of the government in the past, and there will be no such influence in the future either. Bangladesh’s judiciary is independent and the independent judiciary will take decisions based on evidence," said the state minister. “They must have the guts and courage to accept the verdict,” he added, describing the development as “frustrating.” The state minister for foreign affairs also said that calling for the suspension of court proceedings is “unheard of”. “I do not think those who are joining in this call in favour of Prof Yunus are doing proper justice to their own reputation,” he said. Obama writes letter of support as pressure mounts on Dr Yunus The state minister also said that the government does not want to make any comment on an issue related to court proceedings. More than 160 global leaders, including over 100 Nobel laureates, wrote an open letter to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, expressing their deep concern about the safety and wellbeing of Prof Muhammad Yunus, Bangladesh’s first and so far, only Nobel laureate. Addressed directly to the PM, the letter is signed by Nobel laureates, elected officials, business figures, and civil society leaders. The signatories applauded Bangladesh’s remarkable progress since its independence in 1971. However, their collective concern arose from the “perceived threats to democracy and human rights” that have recently emerged within the country. Petition dismissed, Appellate Division orders to continue labour law violation case against Dr Yunus, 3 others "We respectfully ask that you immediately suspend the current judicial proceedings against Prof Yunus, followed by a review of the charges by a panel of impartial judges drawn from within your nation, with some role for internationally recognised legal experts. We are confident that any thorough review of the anti-corruption and labour law cases against him will result in his acquittal,” the letter addressed to PM Hasina reads.

Nobel Laureate Prof Muhammad Yunus has reiterated call for ensuring vaccine equality around the world noting that all the people need to be safe breaking the wall of profit. “We’re talking much to make the vaccine patent-free. We’re working to get the patent out of the vaccine because the vaccine is a wall of profit and the wall of profit makes it tough for people to get the vaccine,” said Prof Yunus. He made the remarks when asked about what he expects from the international community to ensure vaccines for all in a recent media briefing mentioning that they have been working for more than a year to ensure vaccine equality around the world. Prof Yunus is all set to receive the Olympic Laurel as only the second person in history when the opening ceremony of the Tokyo Olympics takes place on Friday. “Bangladesh will be so proud of this award because Bangladesh is a country that doesn’t get close to an Olympic medal. But they have a cause for a celebration now. The whole world will watch a Bangladeshi receiving an Olympic award which will make every single person of Bangladesh proud of it. I believe it’ll be something that Bangladesh will remember for long,” said Prof Yunus during a virtual press meet. Read: Patent-free Covid-19 vaccines: Yunus’ petition gets 1 million signatures

Abed has left. But it is not possible to bid farewell to him. He remains with us as our companion forever. Since the Liberation War, he is in the very grain of our society.

Nobel Laureate Professor Muhammad Yunus presented keynote on the occasion of 30th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall at Bode Museum in Berlin of Germany on November 8.

Dhaka, Oct 29 (UNB) - Nobel Laureate Prof Muhammad Yunus has urged the young generation to contribute to reversing the environmental degradation and wealth concentration.