The Manabadhikar Shongskriti Foundation (MSF), an entity committed to protecting and promoting human rights across the country, on Wednesday expresses its deep concern over continuing increase in human rights violations.   At the same time, the organisation also strongly condemned the alleged inaction of the government to prevent the incidents of human rights violation.  In its monthly report, the MSF said at least three people died in the custody of law enforcement agencies, three other people died by jumping into water and in a collision with a bus while trying to escape arrest in August.  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.   The MSF prepared the report based on information published in various media and also collected information by MSF own source.  Read: UN human rights expert on climate change to visit Bangladesh from Sept 4-15 During the period between August 1 and August 31, eight people died in prison custody which is six more than the previous month July,. Among them, one was allegedly died of illness after being sent to prison after being tortured.   A speech-impaired young woman committed suicide while in custody. It is also illegal to keep a disabled person in jail without committing a crime.   MSF considers that the incidents of death in custody and torture in prisons are alarming and necessary action has to be taken urgently based on proper investigation.  Around 62 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 August.  According to information in the media, 62 political violence and post-UP election violence caused lives of four people during times in August.  In August, 799 people became victims of violence, of which 722 people were injured, 30 people were shot and seriously injured and 43 people were detained.   Among the victims, one was members of Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), two workers of Awami League and one was stabbed to death in UP election conflict. Out of the 30 shot injuries, 27 are BNP workers and three are from Awami League. Apart from that, among those detained, four are from the Left Democratic Alliance, 35 are from BNP, one is from Awami League and three are bus drivers and assistant transport workers.  Violence against women and children such as; Rape, gang rape, sexual harassment, suicide and domestic violence especially physical violence have increased in most cases compared to previous months which is very alarming.  Around 534 incidents of violence against women and children have taken place in last month, which is 180 more than previous month of July.   Among those incidents, 66 were rape incidents, 24 organized rapes and two were incidents of murdered after raped. Among them, three disabled children and adolescents and four disabled women and two disabled children and adolescents.  Fourteen journalists were injured in 38 incidents, the body of one female journalist was recovered, three journalists were attacked, six were assaulted, 14 journalists were threatened in various ways due to being hindered in their professional duties in August.   MSF believes that attacks on freedom of thought and conscience and the exercise of obstacle on freedom of speech are undermining independent journalism and the free flow of information. Common people are deprived of objective news.  Nine incidents of killing, vandalizing of idols, land grabbing and harassment of religious and ethnic minorities at different levels were reported during the period in August.   Naren Munda of the Munda community was beaten to death by Lathial bahini. Besides, 14 idols were vandalized in different temples of Pirojpur, Khulna, Jhenaidah, Kurigram, Bogura and Manikganj, one temple was set on fire and six houses were attacked and set on fire.  Eleven people including Bhumi Raksha Sangram Committee leader Rangdhajan Tripura and Langkam Mro are being harassed in Sarai Union of Lama Upazila of Bandarban by filing false cases, the MSF report added. 

The United States has said promoting democracy, good governance and human rights will remain paramount in this 50th anniversary year of the Bangladesh-US bilateral relationship. “Working together, we must commit ourselves to promoting respect for human rights. We must speak honestly about the challenges we face. Progress on human rights begins with the facts,” said US Ambassador to Bangladesh Ambassador Peter Haas on Wednesday. Meanwhile, at a briefing on the latest country report on Bangladesh’s human rights practices and US support to advance protection of human rights at the American Centre auditorium, an official at the US Embassy said the United States does not only report on human rights and abuses. “We also come alongside countries to work together to make things better.” The official, who cannot be identified under briefing rules, said the United States is committed to a world in which human rights are protected, their defenders are celebrated, and those who commit human rights abuses are held accountable. “The human rights report does not rank countries or draw comparisons across them. It does not attempt to catalog every human rights-related incident that occurred in a country in a given year,” he said, adding that the human rights report also does not include recommendations or policy suggestions. READ: Home Minister dismisses US HR report as misinformation Rather, the official said, it focuses on seven areas of human rights- respect for the Integrity of the Person, which deals with unlawful killings, disappearances, torture, and arbitrary arrest; respect for civil liberties, including freedom of expression, assembly and association, religion, movement, and protection of refugees; freedom to participate in the political process; corruption and lack of transparency in the government; governmental posture towards international and nongovernmental investigation of alleged abuses of human rights; discrimination and societal abuses, including rights of women, children, sexual and gender minorities, ethnic minorities and indigenous peoples, and persons with disabilities; and worker rights, including the right to unions and safe working conditions, and the prohibition of forced labor, child labor, and employment discrimination. On Tuesday, the State Department released the annual human rights report that strives to provide an “objective record” of the status of human rights worldwide. It covers 198 countries and territories for the calendar year 2021. “These are factual reports,” said the US Embassy official, adding that the guiding principle is that all information be reported objectively, thoroughly, fairly.

The human resources (HR) director of Unilever Bangladesh has been recognised as one of "The Top Most Global HR Leaders" in Bangladesh by the World HRD Congress. Endorsed by the CHRO Global and the World Federation of HR Professionals, Sakshi Handa has been honoured with the prestigious award for her contribution and professional achievements as a purpose-driven thought leader in human resources development, namely in Bangladesh. She will be officially conferred the title at the 30th edition of the World HRD Congress and Awards Ceremony in March in India's Mumbai. Also read: 'The Dependables' wins Unilever BizMaestros 2021 "The Top Most Global HR Leaders" selection is part of the World HRD Congress which marks its 30th year in 2022. It is an iconic listing of HR leaders and professionals who have created value with immense talent, ethical conduct and demonstrated standards of professionalism and performance. "I believe in the power of compassionate leadership, empowering my team to lead with an employee-centric approach and making the HR function a strategic partner to the business," Sakshi, who describes herself as having a mind for business and a heart for people, said. With 17 years of HR experience, Sakshi has been the HR director of Unilever Bangladesh since September 2019. Also read: Serajul Islam Chy, Afsan Chy, 4 others get BRAC Bank-Samakal Lit Award "On behalf of Unilever Bangladesh, it would be a privilege for me to humbly accept the award as a testimony of Unilever's commitment towards people development," she said.

Bangladesh has conveyed to the United States its firm commitment to promoting democracy and human rights saying as a nation it made supreme sacrifice to defend the democratic rights of its people. "The shared commitment to democratic governance and human rights serves as the fundamental basis for Bangladesh-US relations," Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen mentioned in his recent letter sent to his US counterpart Antony J Blinken.  When people's voice and election results were ignored by then Pakistani Government in 1971, Bangladeshis waged the War of Liberation to uphold democracy, human rights and justice.  Two countries economic partnership, security cooperation and people-to-people contact have flourished around this ideological pivot,  Dr Momen mentioned in his letter sent on December 24, a diplomatic source in Washington told UNB.  Accordingly, he mentioned, the two countries have developed various mechanisms to hold dialogues in order to understand each other's priorities and work closely to nurture the ever-evolving multifaceted relationship. Perhaps, Dr Momen said, Bangladesh is one of the most vibrant countries in the world in terms of press and media with 43 private TV channels, 550 national dailies and thousands of online newspapers.  All these media outlets are functioning with full freedom and independence, the government thinks. Access to information has also been "greatly enhanced" through widespread and unhindered internet infrastructure, Dr Momen conveyed to Secretary Blinken.  At times, the Foreign Minister said, such unregulated medium of communication does create social problems that harm freedom and privacy of the individuals.  In view of the ever-changing nature of cyber threats, defamation and other forms of misuse of cyber domain by the criminals, a Digital Security Act is in place, Dr Momen conveyed his US counterpart.  "The Act continues to help us guarantee and create safe and conducive cyberspace for all. However, we are cognizant of the views of our partners on some of the provisions of the Act," Dr Momen mentioned in his letter.  Bangladesh remains engaged with the UN and its partners to address the concerns. Minority Issues Dr Momen said they are "dismayed" by the "fabricated and unfounded" stories about persecution of minority in Bangladesh.  He said Bangladesh is a land of religious harmony and "ours is a secular Government under the leadership of Prime minister Sheikh Hasina."  Bangladesh says its government allows people from all religions and faiths to freely exercise their rights and privileges.  Also read: It can't be resolved overnight, says FM Momen on US sanctions "We never discriminate against the individuals on the basis of religion, race or color. For instance, nearly majority of the Police Officers serving at Police Stations are Hindu although the Hindu constitutes only 9% of the total population in the country," Dr Momen conveyed to Secretary Blinken. People with extremist political views and ideologies are, however, utterly upset with the secular image of the Government, he mentioned.  Read: Early repatriation of Rohingyas lead priority, FM tells UN expert Dr Momen mentioned the recent death of minority people in Cumilla and Rangpur saying it is a manifestation of such an "ill-motivated attempt" to destabilize the communal harmony in the country in the name of bigotry and extremism. "We consider it as a regrettable but isolated incident." Labor Rights Dr Momen shared with Secretary Blinken some recent developments concerning the issue of labor rights.  Currently, Bangladesh is closely working with the International Labor Organization (ILO) and our partners to further improve the labor situation in the country.  A few months back, Bangladesh submitted an action-oriented and time-bound Roadmap on the labor sector reforms in Bangladesh spanning over a period from 2021 to 2026 (copy enclosed).  "Now, we are in the process of the implementation of the Roadmap. All these actions certainly underline the seriousness of our government's commitment to promoting and protecting labor rights in the country," Dr Momen mentioned n his letter. As Bangladesh and the USA prepare to celebrate the 50 anniversary of relationship next year, the Foreign Minister said, he would like to surmount all stumbling blocks standing in the way with mutual trust and confidence in order for ushering in a new chapter of cooperation and partnership.  "I echo your words that we have a large window of opportunities to work jointly, including in the areas of climate change, peacekeeping, democracy, human rights, Rohingya issue, COVID-19 pandemic, etc," he mentioned.  Dr Momen said they can be proud that, during the pandemic, the two countries have set a shining example of excellent bilateral relations standing by each other, including through providing medical equipment and vaccines. In his letter, Dr Momen wished Secretary Blinken and his family a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year 2022.  

Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen on Sunday pointed out the double-standard approach of some of the countries that are vocal on human rights issues but encouraging investment in Myanmar where human rights are grossly violated. An analysis conducted by BankTrack and Justice For Myanmar has found that nine internationally operating banks have invested over US$24 billion in 18 companies that have either direct and longstanding commercial ties to Myanmar's military or to state entities that the military is attempting to control as a result of the coup. READ: Relations with China as usual: FM Momen “It’s in no way acceptable,” Dr Momen told reporters referring to that investment expressing displeasure over the role of the countries who speak loudly on human rights issues.  Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group, Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group, JPMorgan Chase, UBS, Credit Suisse, Morgan Stanley, Bank of America, Wells Fargo and BNP Paribas are among the top banks investing in companies linked to the Myanmar military junta, according to Justice for Myanmar. Dr Momen said the banks are giving the money when human rights are violated in Myanmar. “You should ask them (ambassadors of those countries) why they are giving money to Myanmar.” Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group (MUFG), Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group (SMFG), JPMorgan Chase, UBS, Credit Suisse, Morgan Stanley, Bank of America, Wells Fargo and BNP Paribas were all identified as having shareholdings worth over US$1 billion in the 18 companies, it said. MUFG alone holds shares in these companies worth over US$5 billion, with SMFG and JPMorgan Chase not far behind, holding shares worth over US$4 billion each. Significantly, Goldman Sachs holds 5.7% of shares in Bharat Electronics which provides military equipment to Myanmar. All of these banks have a responsibility to act and to account for how they are doing so. Yadanar Maung, Justice For Myanmar’s spokesperson, said the international banks they have highlighted have clear human rights responsibilities. “The military's relentless campaign of terror is enabled by its business interests and the banks play a crucial role. Investors must divest from companies that repeatedly fail to act to uphold its responsibilities. It has taken too long for these businesses and banks to act. Unless they act urgently, they’ll fail the people of Myanmar.” READ: FM calls for joint efforts to build sustainable resilient future  These banks have continued their investments despite the Myanmar junta's campaign of terror that has involved the murder of more than 820 people since the February coup and indiscriminate airstrikes in ethnic areas. These abuses are financed by international businesses. Justice For Myanmar called on banks to act by divesting from companies linked to the military before the February 1 coup and using their leverage to ensure that investee companies linked to the military as a result of the coup suspend payments.