Momen
Apology from Pakistan publicly for 1971 atrocities first thing to do: Momen
Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen on Sunday said Bangladesh wants Pakistan to “seek apology publicly with a formal announcement” for the atrocities perpetrated against unarmed Bangalees in 1971.
“You first need to seek an apology publicly. Otherwise, I have a political reason….if it (apology publicly) happens first, I can argue for you. Otherwise, it will be very difficult for me. I can’t do that. It’s pure and simple,” he told reporters sharing what he conveyed to State Minister for Foreign Affairs of Pakistan Hina Rabbani Khar.
Read more: Bangladesh likely to get back the money borrowed by Sri Lanka: FM
Talking to media at State guesthouse Padma, Momen said Pakistan wants to enhance relations with Bangladesh but Bangladesh reminded that seeking apology publicly is the first thing to do.
Hina Rabbani had a meeting with Minister Momen in Sri Lanka's capital city Colombo on Saturday.
Momen visited Sri Lanka as a guest for the country's 75th Independence Day celebrations, for which the guest list was filled up mostly by neighbouring countries at the foreign minister level.
Responding to a question, Foreign Minister Momen said the Pakistan State Minister did not make any direct reply to his request but mentioned that they have some limitations.
The Foreign Minister said if there is an issue of improving relations between Bangladesh and Pakistan that must begin with working in the economic area.
Read more: Dhaka eyes deeper relations with Latin American countries; Argentine FM due Feb 27
He urged the Pakistan State Minister to withdraw the restrictions to make the trade relations fairly balanced.
Momen, along with other South Asian ministers, attended the "Independence Parade" featuring march-past, fly-by, and parachute display by the joint forces at the Galle Face Green in Colombo Saturday.
State Minister for Foreign Affairs of India V Muraleedharan also met the foreign minister of Bangladesh.
They discussed the upcoming bilateral visits and issues of mutual interest and emphasised trade and commerce for the benefit of the people of the two countries.
All the ministers from South Asian countries appreciated the current government under Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina for the continued economic advancement of Bangladesh.
On Saturday evening, Momen attended a reception hosted by the Sri Lankan President in honour of visiting foreign ministers/dignitaries from other South Asian countries – namely, India, Nepal, Bhutan, and Pakistan – and the secretary general of the Commonwealth as well as state minister for foreign affairs of Japan.
We want fair, credible election: Momen tells Donald Lu
Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen on Sunday conveyed to the United States that they, as a government, want a “free, fair, transparent and credible” election and there should be no doubt about that.
“No country is perfect, not even the USA. We are trying hard to improve,” he told reporters at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, adding that Bangladesh Awami League came to power always through democratic process.
Also read: Rab made ‘tremendous progress’ in ‘respecting rights’ while performing duties: Donald Lu observes
Earlier, visiting Assistant Secretary of State for the Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs Donald Lu had meetings with Foreign Minister Momen, State Minister for Foreign Affairs Md Shahriar Alam and Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen at the MoFA to discuss strengthening Bangladesh-US relations and the importance of human rights for all.
Momen said they will accept if they get any good suggestions and Bangladesh has shown that sign already.
Definitely, he said, they will take care of those issues if they find any weaknesses anywhere. “We want people’s welfare.”
“They are our good friends. Among the friends we can talk about issues very openly without any reservations. That’s what we did,” Momen said.
Also read; Not worried about next election; it'll be held on time: FM
The Foreign Minister said there are transparent ballot boxes and a stronger and independent Election Commission.
“We believe in people. We want peace across the world. We had very good discussions on many issues.
Dhaka studying US Indo-Pacific Strategy: Momen
Ahead of US official Donald Lu's visit, Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen on Friday said Bangladesh stands ready to do whatever is needed for the people's welfare, noting that the government is still studying the issues related to US Indo-Pacific Strategy (IPS).
"It's not that transparent. It's not mentioned there how it will bring benefits. We are studying," he told reporters while talking about the IPS and its economic component.
Donald Lu, who became Assistant Secretary of State for the Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs on September 15, 2021, is scheduled to arrive here on January 14 wrapping up his India tour.
"We will raise our issues. It's very normal to have good relations between Bangladesh and the United States," Momen said.
Read: US envoy Haas praises Bangladesh’s development, eyes stronger future partnership
Donald Lu will have meetings on a range of priorities including energy, trade, security cooperation, religious freedom, labour, and human rights.
He will meet with senior Bangladeshi officials and civil society leaders to discuss strengthening their bilateral relationship, expanding economic engagement and hear their perspectives on labour and human rights, according to the US Department of State.
Momen said Bangladesh and the US believe in the same values and promote democracy and human rights.
Bangladesh has set an example in the world by sacrificing 30 lakh lives to establish democracy, ensure justice and human rights, Momen said, adding that "Our principles and values are almost the same."
Momen signs condolence book for ex-Pope Benedict XVI
Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen on Wednesday visited the Vatican Embassy, formally known as the Apostolic Nunciature of the Holy See, in Dhaka and signed a book of condolences for former Pope Benedict XVI who passed away on December 31, 2022.
"We are deeply saddened at the passing away of His Holiness Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI. The demise of His Holiness the Pope Emeritus is surely an irreparable loss for the entire humanity," Foreign Minister Momen wrote in the condolence book.
“Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI will be remembered for his tireless pursuit to promote peace, development, and human rights across the world. Under his guidance, the Catholic community in Bangladesh played a noticeable role in promoting education and social services," he noted.
“I am confident that Bangladesh will continue to uphold the teachings of His Holiness Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI in maintaining religious harmony and the defence of human rights,” Momen added.
The Foreign Minister offered his sincere condolences to the Catholic faithful around the world, the Holy See, and all the people whose lives were enriched by Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI’s spiritual teachings.
Repatriation of Rohingyas delayed due to lack of sincerity: Momen
Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen on Sunday said lack of sincerity on the part of Myanmar is the main reason behind delaying the process of the Rohingya repatriation.
“Many countries have been asked to take some Rohingyas to their countries and already a process of taking some Rohingyas has started. I am hopeful that the Rohingyas will go back to their countries,” he said.
Momen came up with the information while talking to reporters after distributing some sewing machines and wheelchairs among some destitute people in Sylhet.
Also read; Vulnerable Rohingyas: US to consider resettlement recommendations from UNHCR
“Rohingya repatriation is not a work of one party alone and the global leaders have some responsibility on this but there is a lack of sincerity, which delayed the process,” he said.
Climate Change: Momen urges global community for more support to developing countries
Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen today urged the international community to scale up financial and technological support for the developing countries to cope with the adverse impacts of climate change.
The ongoing Russia-Ukraine war and the resulting cost-of-living crisis around the world, aggravated by sanctions and counter-sanctions, cannot be a pretext for diminishing or diverting the much needed financing for tackling the climate crisis in order to save planet earth, he said.
Speaking at the launching ceremony of the global hub of Locally Led Adaptation (LLA), Momen said the government of Bangladesh stands ready to provide full support to the Global Center on Adaptation (GCA) to achieve the goal of the global hub which is to promote Locally Led Adaptation (LLA) at scale, with speed, to reduce climate risks for populations and sections of society that are most vulnerable to climate change.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina joined the launching ceremony virtually as the chief guest.
"The kind presence of our Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina at this launch is clear testimony to our unstinting support," Momen said.
Read more: $230bn needed: PM seeks support from global partners to implement climate adaptation plan
The Foreign Minister congratulated Ban Ki-moon and the entire GCA team once again.
"I feel personally pleased to be able to serve as a member of the GCA Governing Body. The launch of the Global Hub today is indeed a positive step forward from our decision to host the GCA Regional Office in Dhaka. Soon we plan to organize other events," he said.
Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister Md. Shahab Uddin, 8th Secretary General of the United Nations and Chair of the Board, Global Center on Adaptation Ban Ki-moon, Chief Executive Officer, Global Center on Adaptation Prof. Dr. Patrick Verkooijen and British High Commissioner to Bangladesh Robert Chatterton Dickson spoke at the launching ceremony held at Foreign Service Academy.
Momen thanked the government of the United Kingdom for its support in establishing the global hub. "I hope, following the UK, other countries/ institutions will come forward with generous funding."
Each year, Momen said, more than 6,50,000 people of Bangladesh are being uprooted from their homes, from their traditional jobs, due to erratic climate changes and global warming and river erosion and the government has the responsibility to rehabilitate them although the government has no role in contributing to their uprooting.
There are varieties of estimates that say that around 20% of the coastal areas of Bangladesh will be flooded, and there could be millions uprooted from their homes.
"If millions of people are uprooted from their homes it will create a global security problem," Momen said, adding that "before such a situation happens, I would request global leaders to come forward to share the burden of their rehabilitation and also take corrective action so that that situation never happens."
The Foreign Minister said, "Our journey with GCA is promising and progressing. It pleases me to witness that over a span of just 2 years, GCA and the Bangladesh Government have developed the adaptation activities."
Read more: New abnormal: Climate disaster damage ‘down’ to $268 billion
Bangladesh is ready to share similar home-grown solutions such as floating agriculture, rainwater harvesting, early warning system, climate resistant crop varieties with other vulnerable countries through this Global Hub, he said.
Nothing to be worried about BNP’s Dec 10 rally, says Momen
Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen on Tuesday said there is nothing to be worried about BNP's December 10 rally in Dhaka, noting that it is meaningless if there is no people’s support behind any initiative.
Talking to reporters at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, he said there is a government in the country and the government has a responsibility and an obligation to maintain peace and stability.
Read more: BNP ready to hold rally in Dhaka on December 10 braving all obstacles
“And we will do that. We don’t think there will be something big. We are not worried about it at all,” he said when his attention was drawn about the travel advisory issued by the British government.
The British government has updated its travel advisory and said political rallies may result in violent clashes, including with law enforcement agencies.
Read more: December-10 rally: BNP delegation sits with IGP
“Political rallies are expected on 10 December 2022 in Dhaka, with potential disruption to transport, communication networks and movement around the city. An increased law enforcement presence in the days surrounding 10 December 2022 is likely. You are advised to avoid all large gatherings, including political rallies,” reads the advisory.
Several countries, including Afghanistan, suffered due to foreigners’ role: Momen
Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen on Saturday advised the opposition leaders to reach out to people at the grassroots instead of seeking favour from foreigners, saying that foreigners have their own interests.
He mentioned that people in a number of countries, including in Afghanistan, suffered due to foreigners’ role there.
“Don’t listen to foreigners, listen to your leaders. After all, this is our own country. We don’t want to harm our country,” Momen told reporters.
Read more: Bangladesh seeks wider cooperation with UAE
Recalling some foreigners’ role in the past, the Foreign Minister said, “I have much confidence in the people of this country.”
Momen said if the opposition parties reach out to the people it will be good for them and the country.
Responding to a question, Momen said diplomats stationed in Dhaka can convey to the government of Bangladesh if they have anything to say but this should be done by maintaining the code of conduct.
Momen cited examples of how the US expelled Russian diplomats and said powerful countries can do that. “But when the time comes, we will take action, too.”
Read more: PM’s visit to be delayed for political situation, Covid restrictions in Japan: FM PM’s visit to be delayed for political situation, Covid restrictions in Japan: FM
Earlier, he attended the "International Charity Bazaar" at the Foreign Service Academy hosted by the Foreign Office Spouses’ Association (FOSA).
Phone Conversation: Momen, Lavrov want to take Dhaka-Moscow relations to greater heights
Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen and his Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov on Monday shed light on the bilateral relations between Bangladesh and Russia and expressed their desire to take these relations to greater heights.
During a telephone conversation, the Russian foreign minister expressed his regret for not being able to come to Dhaka due to schedule complications and expressed his intention to make the visit soon.
Momen thanked Russia for its cooperation with Bangladesh in the construction of the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant and invited Russian President Putin to visit Bangladesh on behalf of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Lavrov was scheduled to visit Bangladesh on November 23, mainly to attend the 22nd IORA Council of Ministers meeting, to be held in Dhaka on November 24.
Russia is a dialogue partner of the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) while Bangladesh is the current chair of group.
Read: US keen to work with Bangladesh, other partners to build free, open Indo-Pacific
Momen highlighted the role of the Soviet Union in the War of Liberation of Bangladesh and said that Dhaka will always remember it with gratitude.
He sought the cooperation of the Russian foreign minister in sending the Rohingya refugees, who have taken shelter in Bangladesh, back to Myanmar.
In reply, Lavrov assured Momen he would talk with Myanmar.
Among other things, the two ministers also discussed the cooperation between Bangladesh and Russia in the United Nations and other international organizations.
The Russian foreign minister greeted the Bangladesh prime minister on behalf of Russian President Vladimir Putin.
On Sunday, Momen said the increased activities of Russia due to the situation in Ukraine might be the reason behind the revised decision taken by Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov.
"I can understand it. They are very busy. Their activities due to the war have increased to a large extent. Maybe for that reason he is unable to come," Momen told reporters after attending a programme in a Dhaka hotel.
Read: Russian FM Lavrov’s changed decision on Dhaka visit understandable: Momen
The foreign minister said the Russian side in a diplomatic communication with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs conveyed that the Russian foreign minister is unable to come.
The IORA Council of Ministers meeting, to be hosted by Bangladesh, will be preceded by the 24th meeting of the Committee of Senior Officials, to be held on November 22-23.
The IORA is an inter-governmental organisation aimed at strengthening regional cooperation and sustainable development within the Indian Ocean region through its 23 member states and 10 dialogue partners.
IORA member states are Australia, Bangladesh, Union of Comoros, France, India, Indonesia, Iran, Kenya, Republic of Madagascar, Malaysia, Maldives, Mauritius, Mozambique, Oman, Seychelles, Singapore, Somalia, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Tanzania, Thailand, United Arab Emirates and Yemen.
The 23 member states of IORA and 10 dialogue partners are expected to join the ministerial and senior official meetings.
Prevent further encroachments on Cox’s Bazar beach: High Court
The High Court (HC) on Wednesday ordered the authorities concerned to take necessary measures to prevent further encroachments on the Cox’s Bazar sea beach.
The HC bench of Justice JBM Hassan and Justice Razik-Al-Jalil passed the order exempting deputy commissioner of Cox's Bazar district Mamunur Rashid from contempt of court charge for failing to remove encroachments from the beach.
Cox's Bazar district Mamunur Rashid today submitted a report to the court, stating that 260 illegal establishments in Baliari and 417 in Sugandha Point of Cox's Bazar Beach have been evicted.
Following the report, the court disposed of the contempt of court charge.
Senior lawyer Momtaz Uddin Fakir appeared for the Deputy Commissioner in the court while senior advocate Manzil Morshed for the writ petitioner.
On August 25, HC summoned the deputy commissioner on contempt charge for failing to remove encroachments from the beach.
On June 7 in 2011, HC ordered the authorities concerned to remove all illegal establishments from Cox’s Bazar beach within 24 hours and halt further construction, following a writ petition filed by Human Rights and Peace for Bangladesh (HRPB), an NGO.
On February 7 this year, HRPB president Manzil Morshed, a lawyer by profession, issued a contempt of court notice. As no action was taken even after the notice, a contempt plea was filed in the HC.
Read more: JS body suggests stern action to prevent illegal sand extraction in Cox's Bazar