Setting the agenda for a paradigm shift in health and humanitarian considerations during emergencies, especially in South and Southeast Asia, over 15 practitioners, thought leaders, artists, and over 300 attendees from the social impact space convened to engage in discussions and display works of art at MSF South Asia’s inaugural Health and Humanity Summit. Humanitarians, who seek to protect, preserve, and promote human welfare, shared space at the New Delhi-based event to highlight the needs of distressed populations and inspire intent and action for an inclusive global future. For the 2023 edition, discussions themed around 'People Forced from Home', 'Equitable Access to Healthcare', 'Global Health Security', and 'Mis/Disinformation in Emergencies' explore contemporary challenges and potential solutions at the heart of these critical issues. Undistributed dividends must be deposited with CMSF, says its chairman Speakers include Roshni Shanker (MAP), Dr Parivelan K.M (TISS), Leena Menghaney (MSF), Dr Maria Guevara (MSF), Farhat Mantoo (MSF), Osama Manzar (DEF), Tina Purnat (WHO), Shalini Joshi (Meedan), Rezaul Karim (BRAC), Vidya Krishnan (Journalist), Ambassador Vijay Nambiar (Retd Indian Ambassador) among others. Dr. Farhat Mantoo, Executive Director, MSF South Asia said transforming humanitarian aid requires embracing dialogue and collaboration. The complexity of today's global crises demands a comprehensive and inclusive response. “We can collectively develop innovative and sustainable ways to address humanitarian challenges. As MSF, we recognize the need to reflect at all the elements that factor into our delivery of aid, to ensure we are meeting the needs of the people we aim to assist. This Summit intends to be a call to others that we share the humanitarian space with, and those on the intersections of it, to coalesce, and be catalysts for change.” MSF calls for urgent response to scabies outbreak in Rohingya refugee camps Towards the realization of this vision, marking World Humanitarian Day 2023, MSF South Asia announced the launch of the ‘Humanitarianism in South Asia Initiative (HiSA)’ – a network of universities and research centers with a mission to incubate and co-create an interdisciplinary course on humanitarian studies in the region. One of the first academic partners in this initiative is the Jindal School of Public Health and Human Development, O.P. Jindal Global University. P. Sainath, Ramon Magsaysay award-winning veteran journalist and founder-editor of People’s Archive of Rural India (PARI), delivered the keynote address for the inaugural Summit. “As inequality grows, so does the mindset it brings with it. We have, over decades, moved very far fromthe high ideals of the Alma Ata Declaration of 1978 whose very first line was: 'Every man, woman and child has the inalienable right to be free from hunger and malnutrition in order to develop fully and maintain their physical and mental faculties. Society today already possesses sufficient resources, organizational ability and technology and hence the competence to achieve this objective.' MSF voices concern over death of Alal Dewan after DB men ‘picked him up’ Society today possesses many times the resources it did in 1978, yet widespread and large-scale hunger persists. We need to understand that we cannot resolve health disasters while ignoring inequality, deprivation and hunger," he says. Another highly sought after conversation led by Dr. Maria Guevara, International Medical Secretary, MSF emphasized on ‘Global Health Security’ and encouraged participants to reflect on ‘security threats’ (armed conflicts, criminal activities, access restrictions, violence against aid workers, and epidemics/pandemics) which disrupt healthcare, access, and safety. “The true value of healthcare is not just in science but in ensuring access to health and wellbeing for all. It is the compassion and solidarity with fellow humans and our natural ecosystem that enables securing health for all. Today, however, factors that are borne from human activities and narratives create threats that divide rather than bring us together. To address these threats will require a clear understanding of what health security means and respecting the interconnections between humans, animals and the environment. Saving lives is in healing the planet and we all have a collective role to play,” says Dr. Maria. Highlight of the event is MSF’s Humanity Heals exhibition, an interactive photography, artwork and installation display featuring the compelling stories of vulnerable populations. Exhibits include: ‘Side by Side’ by photographer Uğur Gallenkuş in collaboration with MSF, which presents stark realities of those on opposite ends of opportunity and circumstance. The collages convey powerful humanitarian messages and encourage viewers to broaden their perspectives beyond familiar environments. 'The Glass Room' exhibition by Tactical Tech, hosted by the Internet Freedom Foundation explores how misinformation is normalized, and how the decisions made by the gatekeepers of technologies can influence our behaviors and opinions. The Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) South Asia inaugural Health and Humanity Summit 2023 aims to be a platform for critical discourse on humanitarian and public health issues, encouraging new perspectives and innovative approaches to conventional models of aid. The Summit aims to foster dialogue and create networks, initiate partnerships, and encourage collaborations between those at the intersections of the humanitarian space, tech and innovation, climate, and information ecosystems.  

Manabadhikar Shongskriti Foundation (MSF) on Monday expressed deep concern over the death of a man in hospital on June 16, after Detective Branch (DB) of police picked him up on June 6. Alal Dewan, 50, died at National Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases on Friday. MSF also demanded fair investigation into the death and legal action against those involved in the incident. Also Read: Take immediate action against journalist Rabbani's killers: Sultana Kamal-led MSF According to reports, a 33-year-old woman named Fatema Akter was killed in the capital's Baunia area on June 5. Later, a case was filed against Fatema's husband over the murder. Alal was the caretaker of the building where Fatema was killed. Alal’s family members alleged that DB men picked him up for interrogation on June 6. Also Read: MSF demands probe into death of under-trial prisoner at Kurigram hospital On June 15 (Thursday), hospital authorities informed the family that Alal was admitted to the hospital. When they went to the hospital, they told Alal’s family to go to the court on Sunday, family members said. On June 16, Anwar, sub-inspector of Sher-e-Bangla Nagar police station, phoned Alal's family members and said that Alal “died of heart attack.” Also Read: HC grants 2 more months for probe into Jasmine’s death in RAB Custody Family members alleged that Alal was tortured to death in police custody.      

Manabadhikar Shongskriti Foundation (MSF) today (January 19, 2023) condemned the death of a trader "in police custody" in Gazipur and demanded legal action against those involved after ensuring fair investigation. Family members and locals say that Rabiul Islam, 40, a resident of Peyara Bagan in Gazipur city died while in police custody. The incident came to light on Wednesday. According to the statement of MSF, the statement of police over the incident was not acceptable. The organization demanded fair investigation into the death, autopsy and publication of the autopsy report. Read More: Trader's beheaded body found in Chandpur They also demanded legal action against those involved after finding out the actual reason behind the death. Police arrested Rabiul along with three others on charge of gambling on January 14. However, police released three of them. On January 17, a team of police went to the house of Rabiul and took a signature on a white paper from his wife, the latter said. After that, Rabiul’s wife came to know that her husband was dead. Read more: Trader’s death in ‘police custody’: Locals block Dhaka-M’sing, Dhaka-Tangail highways Malek Khasru, officer-in-charge of Basan Police Station, said two sub-inspectors took Rabiul to the police station and they let him go from the police station on January 17. But on the way home, Rabiul was knocked down by a truck, he said. Later, he was taken to Shaheed Tajuddin Medical College and Hospital and he died there, according to police. Enraged by the death, local people, equipped with sticks, put up barricades on Dhaka-Tangail and Dhaka-Mymensingh highways on Wednesday morning, disrupting traffic movement. Two policemen of Gazipur Metropolitan Police were withdrawn from their duty on Wednesday over the death. Read More: Trader’s death in ‘police custody’: Locals block Dhaka-M’sing, Dhaka-Tangail highways The policemen are: Mahbub and Nurul Islam, both assistant sub-inspectors (ASIs) of Bason Police Station, Gazipur Metropolitan Police Deputy Commissioner (Crime) Abu Torab Mohammad Shamsur Rahman told UNB. Meanwhile, a three-member probe committee headed by Additional Police Commissioner of Gazipur Metropolitan Police Md Delwar Hossain has been formed to investigate this incident, he added.

Bangladesh Bank has allowed mobile financial service (MSF) providers to bring inward remittance, in order to increase remittance inflow. The foreign exchange policy department of Bangladesh Bank issued a circular in this regard on Tuesday. According to the circular, authorized dealers can make drawing arrangements directly with exchange houses abroad without prior permission from Bangladesh Bank. Read more: Bangladesh Bank allows export income, remittance through MFS Authorized dealers are also allowed to go for drawing arrangements without letters of reference or certificates from the Bangladesh embassy or high commission of the respective country. In order to bring wider flexibility, MFS providers will be allowed to repatriate wage earners’ remittance in association with internationally recognized online payment gateway service providers, banks, digital wallets, card schemes, and aggregators abroad, said the Bangladesh Bank notification. In this context, MFS providers must have standing arrangements with foreign PSPs to receive foreign currency in their account, and equivalent taka value will be credited to the wage earners’ MFS accounts. Subsequently, foreign PSPs will provide credit to the designated dealer’s Nostro account (an account that a bank holds in a foreign currency in another bank). After receiving the amount in taka, wage earners’ can use the MFS account from abroad to do all transactions in Taka. Read more: BFIU suspends cash out from 230 MFS accounts over transactions through hundi Mobile financial services who want to provide repatriation services have to apply to Foreign Exchange  Policy Department by December 31, 2022, with details of proposed arrangements in accordance with the framework outlined above or similar conducive procedures. Bangladesh Bank will primarily accord permissions, to review arrangements for piloting the initiative. Bangladesh rolled out MFS in 2011. Since then, the service has seen a boom in the country. At present, 13 MFS operators are providing services to more than 18 crore account holders who are transferring nearly Tk 3,000 crore daily.

Manabadhikar Shongskriti Foundation (MSF), noted rights advocate Sultana Kamal's latest outfit to protect and promote human rights, expressed deep concern over an increase in human rights violations across the country on Friday. The organisation also strongly condemned the alleged inaction of the government to prevent incidents of human rights violations. In its monthly report, the MSF said at least three people were killed in "extrajudicial killings" and 6 others sustained injuries in September, 2022. According to the report,  five people were abducted by law enforcers in plain clothes. In addition to the unethical actions of some members of the police, allegations of their involvement in several crimes including indecent behaviour, torture, extortion and robbery, harassment and rape have been published in the media, the report said. At least two people died in the custody of law enforcement agencies and four people died while trying to escape arrest in September. The MSF prepared the report based on information published in various media and also collected information by MSF's own source. Read: ASK September report paints grim picture of human rights in Bangladesh During the period between September 1 and 30, fourteen people died in prison custody which is six more than the previous month of August. Due to the lack of proper treatment in the jail, most of the sick prisoners were taken to the Medical College Hospital outside the jail and declared dead. MSF considers that the incidents of death in custody in prisons are alarming and necessary action has to be taken urgently based on proper investigation. Around 50 incidents of violence in the political arena during the programs of the opposition parties in different districts of the country occurred. Besides, one incident of post-Union Parishad election violence was also happened during the times in September. According to information in the media, 50 political violence and post-UP election violence caused the lives of four people in September. In September, 901 people became victims of violence, of which 869 people were injured, 28 people were shot and seriously injured and 29 people were detained. Among the victims, one was members of Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), two workers of Awami League and one was killed in the UP election conflict. Out of the 28 shot injuries, all are BNP activists. Apart from that, among those detained, 28 are from BNP and another agitating job-seeker. Violence against women and children such as; Rape, gang rape, sexual harassment, suicide and domestic violence especially physical violence have continued like in previous months which is very alarming. Around 395 incidents of violence against women and children have taken place in this month, which is 139 less than the previous month of August. Read: Human rights situation in Bangladesh is better than US: Hasan Mahmud Among those incidents, 62 were rape incidents, 19 were organized rapes and four were incidents of murder after raped. Among them, six were disabled women. Nineteen journalists faced different troubles during this period. Among them, 10 journalists were attacked and injured while doing their professional duties, two journalists were sued, one received a death threat, three were assaulted, and 3 journalists were threatened in various ways due to being hindered in their professional duties in September. MSF believes that attacks on freedom of thought and conscience and the exercise of obstacles on freedom of speech are undermining independent journalism and the free flow of information. Common people are deprived of objective news. Being heavily criticized, harassment in the name of the law has not decreased, but rather its arbitrary abuse has created a new level of concern this month. According to the MSF, a total of 7 persons including a teenager, 2 political activists (1 BNP, 1 State Reform Movement), 3 university students and one youth were arrested in the Digital Security Act case in September 2022. Besides,12 cases have been filed under the Digital Security Act. Nine incidents of minority torture including vandalizing of idols, land grabbing and harassment of religious and ethnic minorities at different levels were reported during the period in September.   On September 8, idols were vandalized in the Sadar Model Central Harishava Sarvajan temple in Indurkani Upazila of Pirojpur.

Médecins Sans Frontières/Doctors Without Borders (MSF), an international medical organisation, on Sunday opened a COVID-19 isolation and treatment centre at Nayapara refugee camp in Teknaf upazila of Cox’s Bazar district.