Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus has said that the tenure of the interim government will be less than four years, and their intention is to hold the election as quickly as possible. "I didn't say that I will be (in power) for four years. This is the maximum term. But that's not our intention. Our intention is to get it (hold polls) done as quickly as possible," he said while responding to a question during an interview with Qatar-based media Al Jazeera. Prof Yunus said the exact timeframe for the interim government's tenure has not been determined yet. He said the regular government is for five years and the new Constitution may say four years, probably. "It should be under four years, that's for sure. It may be less," Prof Yunus said. 27 envoys of European countries to meet Prof Yunus soon in Dhaka The chief adviser said it is all about what people and political parties want. "If political parties say forget about it (reform), give the election, we will do it," Prof Yunus said. Asked if he plans to stand for election, Yunus said, "I am not a politician. I enjoy my role and what I have been doing. In my last stage of my life, I am not going to change that." In the interview, Dr Yunus acknowledged the challenges ahead. “Bangladesh is deep in corruption because of the system that we had for the past 15 years – mismanagement, misgovernance, the destruction of our institutions,” he said, adding that rebuilding the system “point by point, sector by sector” will be a “big task”. Highlighting the important reforms before the next national elections, Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus on Sunday pledged that they will hold the desired elections on completion of some necessary reforms. Reforms aimed at ensuring ‘free, fair’ elections: Dr Yunus tells UK Minister “I am not sure how much opportunity we will get to implement the reform proposals. But I am giving you a word, if you give us a scope, we will hold your desired elections after completing some necessary reforms. Till then, I request you to be patient,” he said in a televised address to the nation in the evening, marking the completion of 100 days of the interim government. The Election Commission will be formed in a few days, the chief adviser said, adding that all the responsibility of organising the elections will fall on the Election Commission once it is formed. Mentioning that the question of when the elections will be held is on everyone's mind, Prof Yunus said they want to create an electoral system that will be followed for ages in the country and it will help save the country from any political crisis. “For this, I am seeking the necessary time from you. Once the decision on electoral reforms is made, you will also get the election roadmap very soon,” said the Nobel Laureate who took oath as the chief adviser on August 8.

Toby Cadman, a UK lawyer who was part of the team that asked the US and UK governments for sanctions against Bangladesh’s Rapid Action Battalion (Rab), has told Al Jazeera that everyone involved was surprised when UK decided not to implement sanctions. In a report published on December 6, 2022, Al Jazeera made the revelation. Read more: ‘Why this US sanction on Rab?’ Incidentally, Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami engaged Toby Cadman as its legal advisor in London in 2011, after the trials of several top Jamaat leaders started – over war crimes committed during the 1971 Liberation War. The media was informed at the time by Tajul Islam – attorney for five Jamaat leaders – that Steven Kay QC, Toby Cadman, and John Cammegh had agreed to represent the Jamaat leaders. Cadman was quoted by Al Jazeera as saying, “I filed the request for sanctions and whilst I am not in a position to discuss the substance, I can confirm that I discussed the request with the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office [FCDO, UK].” “Having worked on both the US and UK request for sanctions, I was strongly of the view that a coordinated response was necessary in the circumstances… Our filing in the UK targeted political officials and those in the security sector,” Cadman said. He went on to say: “It was certainly my position that the UK would issue mirror sanctions in coordination with the US. I was extremely disappointed when they failed to do so.” Mohammad Ashrafuzzaman, a liaison officer at the Asian Human Rights Commission who submitted the proof of human rights violations by Rab attached to the sanctions petitions to the US and the UK, echoed Cadman’s dismay, according to the Al Jazeera report. Read more: US imposes sanctions on RAB, 7 individuals Ashrafuzzaman pointed out that the US utilised the evidence his team gathered to justify the sanctions against Rab. Ashrafuzzaman told Al Jazeera: “The evidence was sent to the US state department and treasury, it was used by the US. That evidence was sent to the UK as well.” Asian Human Rights Commission, in a statement released in October, alleged that “the pro-government media and the internal and external allies of the Government of Bangladesh are running a smear campaign against the UN Independent Experts, specially the Working Group on Enforced or Involuntary Disappearances (WGEID) for their consistent attention to address the issue of enforced disappearance.” Responding to that, Professor Dr Mizanur Rahman, former Chairman of National Human Rights Commission, wrote: “What the (Asian Human Rights) Commission, however, failed to consider is that it was not an attempt to vilify any human rights body, rather the intention was to simply pinpoint the inconsistency and inaccuracy of the data coming from an institution like the UN which has always been at the forefront of defending human rights across the globe.” Read more: US sanctions on RAB made BNP fearless in anti-government protests: Fakhrul BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, in an interview published last month, had said the US sanctions on Rab helped rejuvenate the BNP rank and file to take to the streets fearlessly, as reflected in its recent rallies.  

Veteran television journalist Kamahl Santamaria quit after only 32 days on the job at TVNZ, the biggest broadcaster in New Zealand. As claims of his improper behaviour in the newsroom surfaced, surprise turned to shock. Soon, Santamaria’s former coworkers at Al Jazeera, where he spent 16 years working, started to speak out. A BBC investigation has uncovered many claims of sexual harassment against Santamaria in Al Jazeera’s Doha newsroom, focusing on interviews with several current and former employees as well as documented proof of improper texts and staff complaints. According to some, Santamaria was not the only one. Additionally, they claimed that Al Jazeera promotes a negative workplace environment where complaints of racism, sexism, sexual harassment, and bullying are frequently ignored. Those who talked with the BBC requested anonymity out of concern for how it may impact their jobs. Read:84% of women facing sexual harassment The BBC received no direct response from Santamaria. However, he made an admission in a public statement, claiming that some of the charges were “true, some missing crucial context, some outright lies and a rewriting of history”. He acknowledged and apologised for “behaviour that may have made anyone feel uncomfortable” in response to the allegations made by the BBC. He also acknowledged that what he had previously believed to be “flirtatious, overly friendly, just a bit of banter”, or simply within the bounds of acceptable in the prevailing newsroom culture was, in fact, “not”. The BBC forwarded a thorough list of the 22 complaints to Al Jazeera, but the news organisation chose not to address any of them specifically, saying that it “considers its staff across the world the backbone and foundation of the company – their safety and wellbeing are of utmost importance”. “As an international organisation with over 95 nationalities, we continually strive to build a healthy and constructive work environment for all,” it added. Read: Most sexual harassment through technology perpetrated by close ones Employees in Qatar, a small, oil-rich Gulf nation criticised for its record on human rights and gender equality, also told the BBC that it is difficult to address issues there. Many drew comparisons between Santamaria’s graceful goodbye message after working at Al Jazeera for 16 years and his hasty departure from TVNZ, which was reportedly prompted by a barrage of claims. Santamaria was employed by Al Jazeera in 2005 as a presenter on the English language channel in Doha after beginning his career as a TV reporter in New Zealand. He advanced fast through the ranks, anchoring significant international issues including the 2020 US presidential election and flagship shows. Read BBC pays damages to former royal nanny over false claims He was described as an “excellent broadcaster”, affable, and conversational by those who knew him. Former colleague, Tory (not her real name) claims Santamaria began giving her unwanted attention, when she was still a rookie producer. She claims that he would message her on Twitter, offering to “cuddle” and questioning why she had not invited him on her vacation. The BBC has proof of inappropriate emails and texts Santamaria sent to coworkers on internal Al Jazeera email, Whatsapp, and Twitter. The touching in the workplace followed, according to Tory. The worst was the kiss on the cheek, and more than once she had to use the restroom to clean Santamaria’s “spit off my face”. Tory claims she spoke about Santamaria's behaviour with at least one other coworker and a mid-level boss; both have told the BBC that these talks did indeed take place. Santamaria’s actions allegedly attracted witnesses on multiple occasions, according to a number of current and former coworkers. Read Hasina voice of the vulnerable: BBC A current male employee at Al Jazeera claimed Santamaria gave him an impromptu kiss on the mouth while they were in the newsroom. It was supposedly observed by a news editor who is now a senior executive at the station. Fiona, who worked as a freelancer for Al Jazeera for four years, claimed that Santamaria made inappropriate comments, tried to hug her in the newsroom, and sent her inappropriate texts. She referred to this behaviour as “textbook grooming”. Although she claims she did not file a formal complaint, she did tell a mid-level management about her experience, and the manager responded, “Oh, he’s not still doing that, is he?” She claims she was asked if she wanted to speak with HR, but she declined because she was on a temporary contract. Then, according to her, she was told to disregard Santamaria. Read Slain Al Jazeera journalist to be laid to rest in Jerusalem After that, she continues, he stopped talking to her, but she made new hires aware of him. Fiona and others are questioning why, in contrast to TVNZ, which independently evaluated Santamaria’s appointment as soon as allegations surfaced, their complaints against Santamaria did not result in an investigation. At Al Jazeera, where the BBC has learned that the accusations extend beyond Santamaria and the newsroom, a reckoning now seems to be underway. At least two other men at Al Jazeera, besides Santamaria, harassed her, according to a former producer and correspondent. She claims that one of them was her line boss and the other was a manager who would invite her over to his house when his wife was not there. Read Bangladesh media condemn Al Jazeera journalist Shireen’s killing She admitted that she was terrified that if she refused his approaches too forcefully, he might ruin her career. A mid-level manager has also been accused of harassment by a number of women and men in another department at Al Jazeera. He has said the most offensive things, including talking about “sex during Ramadan” and asking hijabis what colour their hair is. He has also asked male colleagues when they are getting a second wife and if they have lost their virginity yet. They claimed that at least one of their colleagues had left as a result. Another employee who worked there corroborated to the BBC that he had seen this individual harassing others. Read Al Jazeera report on Bhasan Char false; part of it has vindictive approach: FM Members of his department report that this man has now left Al Jazeera, months after charges against him first arose. Liam, an employee in Doha, claims that a number of staff members have been subjected to harassment and bullying for “years and years and years”. Because their work is intertwined with every area of their life in Qatar, everyone the BBC spoke to expressed a dread of speaking out. According to Marti Flacks, a senior scholar at the Centre for Strategic and International Studies, workers in Qatar struggle to leave abusive professions since the recruiting system connects the work visa, children’s schooling, housing, and other perks to a certain company. Read Palestinians: Israel deliberately killed Al Jazeera reporter The fact that individuals have “challenges accessing effective remedy, such as compensation,” Flacks continued, is another reason why people are hesitant to report abusive and inappropriate behaviour. Even though Al Jazeera claims to be independent, the Emir of Qatar finances it, and its journalists do not cover every facet of the government. Local regulations also impose restrictions on free speech. In response to a BBC request for comment, Al Jazeera stated: “Our anti-harassment policies are clear, comprehensive, and available to all employees. As is evident in several recent cases, every formal complaint by our staff is taken extremely seriously with the appropriate remedial action taken after thorough investigation of the claims being made.” Read Capitalism culprit for U.S. gun violence: Al Jazeera In 2022, victims complain that policies are not being followed, there is a “culture of forgiving behaviour”, and “people considered to be above the law” are protected. This is especially frustrating in a global newsroom like Al Jazeera, and especially in the wake of the #MeToo movement, which the network extensively covered.  All victims’ names have been changed upon request to protect their identity.

Capitalism is to blame for the rampant gun violence in the United States, according to an article published by Al Jazeera on Sunday. The United States is "entirely predicated on putting profits over people," the article said, citing examples as "the corporate destruction of the environment," "the manic incarceration of poor minorities" and "a healthcare system that is decidedly ill." Read: Rohingya refugee shot dead at Ukhiya Camp "This is not to mention U.S. behaviour abroad, where the 'war on terror' and other forms of military slaughter with U.S.-made weapons have also produced many 'local problems,'" it added. The failure to see capitalism as America's underlying disease means that the country's increasingly violent episodes will continue to be seen as "local problems," the article said.

Thousands of mourners, some hoisting Palestinian flags and chanting “Palestine, Palestine,” on Friday attended the funeral in Jerusalem for an Al Jazeera journalist who witnesses say was shot and killed by Israeli forces earlier this week while covering a military raid in the occupied West Bank. Dozens of people tried to march with the casket on foot out of a hospital near the Old City. Israeli police moved in and began beating them with batons, causing the pallbearers to briefly drop the casket on the ground. It was a rare mass show of Palestinian nationalism in east Jerusalem — the contested part of the holy city that Israel captured in 1967 and which the Palestinians claim as their capital. Israel says east Jerusalem is part of its capital and has annexed the area in a move that is not internationally recognized. “We die for Palestine to live,” the crowd chanted. “Our beloved home.” Later, they sang the Palestinian national anthem. Meanwhile, the Israeli military said its initial investigation into Shiren Abu Akleh’s death showed that a heavy firefight was underway around 200 meters (yards) from where she was killed, but that it was unable to determine whether she was shot by Israeli forces or Palestinian militants. Recent days have seen an outpouring of grief from across the Palestinian territories and the wider Arab world. Abu Akleh was a widely respected on-air correspondent who spent a quarter century covering the harsh realities of life under Israeli military rule, which is well into its sixth decade with no end in sight. READ: Bangladesh media condemn Al Jazeera journalist Shireen’s killing After the heated scene outside the hospital, police allowed the family to drive the casket to a Catholic church in the Old City, which was packed with mourners, before sealing off the hospital and firing tear gas at scores of protesters inside. After the service, thousands headed to the cemetery, waving Palestinian flags and chanting “Palestine, Palestine.” Police said the crowd at the hospital was chanting “nationalist incitement,” ignored calls to stop and threw stones at police. “The policemen were forced to act,” police said. Qatar-based Al Jazeera had earlier said that its managing director, Ahmad Alyafei, would travel to Jerusalem to attend the funeral. Israel has called for a joint investigation with the Palestinian Authority and for it to hand over the bullet for forensic analysis to determine who fired the fatal round. The PA has refused, saying it will conduct its own investigation and send the results to the International Criminal Court, which is already investigating possible Israeli war crimes. In a statement issued Friday, the military said Palestinian gunmen recklessly fired hundreds of rounds at an Israeli military vehicle, some in the direction of where Abu Akleh was standing. It said Israeli forces returned fire, and that without doing ballistic analysis it cannot determine who was responsible for her death. “The conclusion of the interim investigation is that it is not possible to determine the source of the fire that hit and killed the reporter,” the military said. Reporters who were with Abu Akleh, including one who was shot and wounded, said there were no clashes or militants in the immediate area when she was killed early Wednesday. All of them were wearing protective equipment that clearly identified them as reporters. Read: Slain Al Jazeera journalist was icon of Palestinian coverage Either side is likely to cast doubt on any conclusions reached by the other, and there did not appear to be any possibility of a third party carrying out an independent probe. The PA and Al Jazeera accused Israel of deliberately killing Abu Akleh within hours of her death. Israel says a full investigation is needed before any conclusions can be drawn. Rights groups say Israel rarely follows through on investigations into the killing of Palestinians by its security forces and hands down lenient punishments on the rare occasions when it does. This case, however, is drawing heavy scrutiny because Abu Akleh was a well-known figure and also an American citizen. Abu Akleh, 51, had joined Al Jazeera’s Arabic-language service in 1997 and rose to prominence covering the second Palestinian intifada, or uprising against Israeli rule, in the early 2000s. She was shot in the head early Wednesday while covering an Israeli arrest raid in the West Bank town of Jenin. Palestinians from in and around Jenin have carried out a series of deadly attacks inside Israel in recent weeks, and Israel has launched near daily arrest raids in the area, often igniting gunbattles with militants. Israeli troops pushed into Jenin again early Friday. An Associated Press photographer heard heavy gunfire and explosions, and said Israeli troops had surrounded a home. The Palestinian Health Ministry said 13 Palestinians were hospitalized after being wounded in the fighting, including one who was shot in the stomach. The Israeli military tweeted that Palestinians opened fire when its forces went in to arrest suspected militants. Police said a member of a special Israeli commando unit was also wounded. Israel captured the West Bank and east Jerusalem — including the Old City and its holy sites sacred to Jews, Christians and Muslims — in the 1967 war. The Palestinians want both territories as part of their future state. Israel annexed east Jerusalem in a move not recognized internationally and views the entire city as its capital. Police went to Abu Akleh’s family home in Jerusalem the day she was killed and have shown up at other mourning events in the city to remove Palestinian flags. Tensions are running high ahead of the funeral.  

Diplomatic Correspondents Association, Bangladesh (DCAB) has strongly condemned the killing of Shireen Abu Akleh, an Al Jazeera journalist who was shot dead on May 11 during an Israeli raid on the West Bank. In a statement Friday, DCAB President Rezaul Karim Lotus and its General Secretary AKM Moinuddin demanded that those responsible for the killing of the journalist be held accountable. They also called on the authorities concerned to conduct a thorough and independent investigation into Shirin's death. Also read: ARTICLE 19 condemns killing of journalist Shireen Abu Akleh  In a separate statement Overseas Correspondents Association Bangladesh(OCAB) also condemned the killing.  In a statement signed by OCAB convenor Qadir Kollol and its member secretary Nazrul Islam Mithu voiced deep concern over Shireen's killing and urged all concerned to ensure safety and security of journalists to carry out their free reporting. Shireen was a highly respected journalist in the Middle East whose unflinching coverage was known to millions of viewers, reports AP. Also read: Slain Al Jazeera journalist was icon of Palestinian coverage The 51-year-old journalist became a household name synonymous with Al Jazeera’s coverage of life under occupation during her more than two decades reporting in the Palestinian territories, including during the second intifada, or uprising, that killed thousands on both sides, most of them Palestinians, according to AP.

The Qatar-based satellite news network Al-Jazeera said Sunday its bureau chief in Sudan was detained by security forces, a day after mass protests across the country against last month’s military coup. The network said on Twitter that Sudanese forces raided the home of El Musalmi El Kabbashi and detained him. The development comes after security forces fired live ammunition and tear gas Saturday to disperse protesters denouncing the military’s tightening grip on the country. Read: Dhaka wants inclusive Indian Ocean, not unilateral dominance The Sudan Doctors Committee said a 15-year-old protester died Sunday of gunshot wounds to his stomach and thigh, raising the death toll to six people. In a later statement, Al-Jazeera said El Kabbashi had been arrested at his home in Khartoum, the Sudanese capital. The broadcaster said it held the Sudanese military responsible for his safety. “Al-Jazeera condemns in the strongest terms the reprehensible actions of the military and calls on the authorities to release El Kabbashi immediately and to allow its journalists to operate unhindered, free to practice their profession without fear or intimidation,” the channel said. Sudanese officials could not be immediately reached for comment. Thousands of pro-democracy protesters took to the streets across Sudan on Saturday to rally against the military coup last month. The takeover has drawn international criticism and massive protests in the streets of the capital of Khartoum and elsewhere in the country. Read: Japan’s former princess leaves for US with commoner husband The killings Saturday took place in Khartoum and its twin city of Omdurman. The dead included four people killed by gunshots and one who died from being hit by a tear gas canister. The 15-year-old who died of his wounds Sunday brought to six the number of fatalities, the doctors committee said. Several other protesters were wounded, including from gunshots, it said. That brought the tally since the Oct. 26 coup to at least 21 protesters dead, according to the medical group.

Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen on Tuesday trashed Al Jazeera’s latest report on Bhasan Char saying it is based on false information and part of its "vindictive approach" towards Muslim majority countries. "They're doing it from day one. Their aim is to confuse people with false information," he told UNB. The Foreign Minister said it is Al Jazeera's "vindictive approach" towards any Muslim government, specially against the countries which are doing well. The Qatar-based media reported that aid agencies warned that with the cyclone season fast approaching, a group of Rohingya refugees on Bhashan Char could be stranded and face food shortages when severe storms strike. The Foreign Minister said some people were interviewed in the report and their faces were covered. Also read: Rohingyas want to return to Myanmar; happy with Bhasan Char facilities "It's their job to run false news. So, nothing to say about it," said the Foreign Minister. On the technical team’s observation on Bhasan Char, the Foreign Minister earlier told UNB that “They’ve a very good and positive observation. Concisely, they’ve given a positive observation.” He said they will hand over a 10-page report based on their observation and they have already submitted a two-page synopsis. An 18-member UN delegation visited Bhasan Char in March to take a first-hand view of the housing facility for 100,000 Rohingyas. In their two-page synopsis, the team pointed out three points – education for Rohingya children, increasing height of the embankments and better communication system. Dr Momen said Bangladesh has no problem in providing education to Rohingyas but it has to be in Myanmar language. “Rohingyas will have to go back to Myanmar. So, education in Myanmar curriculum will help Rohingyas integrate in their society easily once they return to home,” he said. Regarding further increasing the height of the embankments, Dr Momen said they will certainly do it for their own needs. On communication, the Foreign Minister said they can go to Bhasan Char through Sandwip as it will take 30 minutes if they follow that route. “There’ll be no problem regarding communication with Bhasan Char.” He said Bhasan Char is one of the 75 islands in Bangladesh and it is 10 times bigger than St Martin’s Island. Also read: Bangladesh to demand 10pc of funds for Rohingyas in Bhasan Char: FM Responding to a question on diplomats’ visit, Dr Momen said they expressed satisfaction seeing the arrangement there with solid structures. “They’ve appreciated the arrangement very much. They liked it.” “I had a discussion with two diplomats. They have liked Bhasan Char,” said the Foreign Minister. On April 3, the Rohingyas, now living in Bhasan Char, interacted with the foreign diplomats and expressed their willingness to return to their homeland in Myanmar. They conveyed their "high satisfaction" over the existing facilities in Bhasan Char, which they considered safe, secured crime-free compared to the congested camps in Cox’s Bazar. The Rohingyas profusely thanked Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and the Government of Bangladesh for the exemplary humanitarian support that have been extended to the Rohingyas since the mass exodus. “I want my children to grow with their own national identity in their own country,” a Rohingya representative was quoted as conveying to the diplomats who visited Bhasan Char. Some Rohingyas underscored the need to expand learning facilities for children and provide them opportunities for farming and fishing which would help in keeping them active. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs organised the day-long trip to Bhasan Char for the Heads of Missions of ten Embassies/delegation - Turkey, EU, USA, UK, France, Germany, Japan, Australia, Canada and the Netherlands. The Rohingya relocation to Bhasan Char, which started from December 4 last year, is in alignment with the GOB’s overall efforts towards repatriation. Meanwhile, Bangladesh will demand 10 percent of the fund that the humanitarian agencies raise in the name of Bangladesh and Rohingyas if they do not provide services to 100,000 Rohingyas to be shifted to Bhasan Char gradually. “Yes, they’ll have to pay because the fund is coming for Rohingyas. We’ll demand 10 percent of the fund if they don’t want to provide services to Rohingyas in Bhasan Char,” he told UNB in an interview at his residence recently. Bangladesh is hosting over 1.1 million Rohingyas in Cox’s Bazar district and the government has a plan to shift 100000 Rohingyas to Bhasan Char gradually which has already started. Also read: AL Jazeera report ill-motivated: Army Chief The Foreign Minister said it should not be the headache of the humanitarian agencies where Rohingyas are living. “It’s not a matter whether Rohingyas are living in Kutupalong, Cox’s Bazar, Barishal or in Bhasan Char. That shouldn’t be their headache. Their headache should be providing services to Rohingyas. They’re obligated to give them services wherever they stay,” Dr Momen said. If the humanitarian agencies do not provide services to Rohingyas, Member States will not give funds which will put them in hardship, he said. The Foreign Minister said they do not know how the UNHCR and other agencies spend the money though they raise funds in the name of Rohingyas and host communities.

Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen on Monday suggested the media boycott and stop giving publicity to statements from foreign missions expressing concern over Bangladesh’s internal issues saying Bangladesh never expresses concerns over any matter in the US or elsewhere.

Bangladesh Army Chief General Aziz Ahmed on Tuesday said the recent report of AL Jazeera is completely ill-motivated.