Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen
Bangladesh promotes culture of peace: FM
Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen on Friday said Bangladesh adopted a 'culture of peace,' which is Bangabandhu's vision who wanted an independent space for human life and human dignity.
"Bangabandhu wanted an independent refuge in the very quotidian life where he or she could be safe from oppression, hunger, malnutrition, ignorance and hatred," said Dr Momen.
He was delivering a keynote speech at the prestigious Emirates Centre for Strategic and Security Studies at Abu Dhabi on the “Vision of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman on Global Peace and World Security”.
Read:Dhaka, Tokyo to work together to build prosperous future for all: FM
The foreign minister said Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman was an ardent campaigner for peace, justice, and humanity.
He said Bangabandhu gave precedence to the ‘rule of law’. “Even when those same rules and laws were institutionalised to oppose his vision and his political and economic objectives, Bangabandhu never adhered to violence or hatred as a countermeasure," said the Minister.
Momen noted that Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s vision of the world and of world peace is rooted in the vision of Bangabandhu.
During the 66th UN General Assembly in 2011, he said, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina gave the world a six-point multi-dimensional peace-centric development model for championing democracy and people's empowerment.
The six multipliers of her proposed model include eradication of poverty and hunger, reduction of inequality and gainful employment, mitigation of deprivation, inclusion of excluded people, acceleration of human development and including imparting education and technology and elimination of terrorism, Momen said.
BNP-Jamaat hired lobbyists to stop US development assistance to Bangladesh: Momen
BNP and Jamaat had appointed eight firms to lobby with the United States against providing aid and development assistance to Bangladesh, Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen told parliament on Wednesday.
He said this while delivering his statement under section 300 of the rules of procedure of parliament.
He said that the government has also proof that the BNP through appointing lobbyists was involved in imposing US sanctions on Rab and appeal to the United Nations Department of Peace Operations to ban Rab from UN peacekeeping missions.
“…sadly, BNP appointed lobbyists have provided such statements against Bangladesh that would offend the people of the country. BNP has told them (US) that security of the USA will be hindered due to Bangladesh. How can they write this? Shame on them (BNP),” the minister said.
Read:Appointed PR firm, not lobbyist, to change wrong perception: FM
Momen said that as per the US law hiring lobbyist in the United States is legal. India, Pakistan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and other countries and many organisations of the world appoint lobbyists to improve political and economic relations.
“But here the main issue is the purpose of hiring lobbyist (by BNP),” he said.
The foreign minister said that BNP-Jamaat had appointed a total of 8 lobbyist firms in the United States.
In 2014, Jamaat hired a firm to stop the trial of war criminals. For this they paid one and a half lakh dollars. They hired another lobbyist firm to stop the trial process.
He said that BNP had spent 1.20 lakh dollar each month as retainer fee and 27 lakh dollar each year from February 2015 to April 2017.
Momen said that the BNP had hired four lobbyist firms till 2017 and one in 2019. And to prevent the trial of war criminals, Jamaat-BNP appointed three lobbyist firms, he said.
The foreign minister said that none of the BNP workers in the grassroots would want that the country’s trade and commerce become closed.
Some of their top level leaders have done such things without informing them.
The minister in his statement admitted that the government had not hired lobbyists, rather it has hired PR firm.
“The government didn’t hire any such body who engaged in lobbying the Senate and the State Department,” he said.
He also said that the government has done it to stop spreading propaganda against the country, but to spread the real information to counter the false information that is being spread.
He mentioned that an organization called BGR was appointed in 2014-15. The BGR was appointed to stop the anti-Bangladesh campaign.
“For the sake of the country, for the people of the country, for the good of the country and for stopping the propaganda against the country abroad, the government of Bangladesh will take whatever measures are necessary,” he added.
The minister raised question about the source of huge money that BNP had spent to pay those lobbyist firms and demanded to investigate how those money were sent abroad.
He said that there might be differences of opinion between the government and the BNP, but the country cannot be harmed by that.
Read: Govt has evidences on BNP’s hiring lobbyists abroad: Info Minister
Sanctions against Rab:
Momen said that lifting of sanctions against Rapid Action Battalion will take time and the United States would lift the if accurate information is provided to them.
He also said that the government is working on the US sanctions against the country’s elite crime-busting force and the work on partnership dialogue with the United States will start next month.
There will be a security dialogue in April. Process is going on to hold multiple meetings with the United States, he added.
"We have held several meetings with the USA. Inshallah, whenever we will be able to provide the information to them properly, I believe the sanction will be withdrawn from a very good organization like Rab. But the process will not start tomorrow (soon). It will take time. We have to be patient.”
The foreign minister said the ban was imposed without any prior discussion. The ban was prompted by propaganda from various lobbyist firms. Not only have they disclosed false information to the US government, but they have also been giving feedback to the world's different large human rights organizations that the Rab is a very bad organization.
He said that Rab has gained the acceptance of the people. They have stopped the country’s terrorism, drugs, human trafficking by and large. The ban comes as some people have given false information against this big organization.
He said that the Rab had not done such a bad thing that for it would be considered as a terrorist organization in the world. Rather it is working against terrorists, he said.
Momen said that the political opponents have sent letters to the heads of different countries and organisations.
“They have called for an end to all aid to the country in those letters. They also said that America's security would be disrupted because of Bangladesh. They have also spread propaganda about giving shelter to Rohingya,” he said.
Humanitarian Principles: Month-long exhibition begins in city Tuesday
A month-long exhibition titled “Humanitarian Principles: Here and Now” will begin at the Liberation War Museum on Tuesday morning.
It will contain information and photographs highlighting the humanitarian engagement of the ICRC and Switzerland as well as humanitarian principles in action in Bangladesh, in 1971 and beyond.
Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen is expected to attend the opening ceremony as the chief guest.
State Minister for Disaster Management and Relief Md. Enamur Rahman , Ambassador of Switzerland to Bangladesh Nathalie Chuard and Head of Delegation of International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) Bangladesh Katja Lorenz will also attend the event.
Also read: Curtain rises on photography exhibition 'Bangabandhu in Sculptures and Murals'
COVID protocols will be maintained, wearing of masks will be mandatory and all are requested to keep the vaccination certificate or PCR negative report acquired in the past 24 hours alongside.
The exhibition will jointly be organized by the Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs, the ICRC, Photo Elysée in Lausanne and the Liberation War Museum, Dhaka.
After the formal opening ceremony, the exhibition will remain open to all until February 24 from 10am to 5pm, except Sundays.
This unique exhibition contains photographs and films through which artists share their vision of humanity, impartiality, neutrality and independence and examine the impact of humanitarian principles from a fresh, local and contemporary perspective, said the organizers.
Also read: Azizee Fawmi’s solo art exhibition ‘Ka-Shommondhiyo’ starts at La Galerie
Humanitarian crises around the world make news headlines every day. The images associated with these tragedies are often related to tears, suffering, hunger, desperation, loneliness, separation, desolation etc.
Sometimes people feel helpless or overwhelmed by all these images of crisis, violence, armed conflicts and natural disasters.
The contemporary art installation “Humanitarian Principles: Here and Now” is a reaction to these feelings.
Humanity, neutrality, impartiality and independence are indeed the compass to guide any humanitarian action that intends to provide aid and relief to millions of affected people, said ICRC.
These principles, and the values they entail, are the foundations and objectives of humanitarian action, and what gives it its universal claim, it said.
The exhibition aims to provide the visitors with a better understanding and deeper insight into the significance that humanitarian principles have in everyday life and presents a space for dialogue on humanity.
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Bangladesh, Somalia to establish cooperation on contract farming
Somalia has agreed to a Bangladesh proposal on joint contract farming in the African country for better use of its huge unutilized cultivable land.
Visiting State Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of Somalia Balal Mohamed Cusman agreed to the proposal made by Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen when the two met on Wednesday.
Read:South Africa looks for greater collaboration with Bangladesh
Balal Mohamed met Momen on the sidelines of IORA 21st meeting of Council of Ministers and discussed bilateral issues.
Both sides agreed to establish cooperation in education, IT and agriculture sectors as well as develop the existing trade and commerce.
Dr Momen proposed that the agreement on cooperation on avoidance of double taxation may be signed between two countries.
He also sought the support of Somalia on the issue of safe and dignified return of the displaced Rohingya people to their homeland.
The Balal Mohamed sought support of Bangladesh for Somalia contesting for UN Security Council Election in 2025-2026 turn.
He expressed his heartfelt thanks for the warm welcome extended by Bangladesh side to the Somalian delegation during IORA conference.
Read:BGMEA for branding 'Made in Bangladesh'
Foreign Minister Momen informed that Bangladesh is observing the birth centenary of the Father of the Nation of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman who dreamt for emancipation of the people across the globe.
He apprised the Somalian State Minister about the extensive vaccination programme of the Bangladesh Government as well as Government plan for coproduction of Covid vaccine to immunize the people.
Momen also apprised him about the development march of Bangladesh and said that Bangladesh is maintaining robust economic growth despite the effect of Covid Pandemic.
He underlined that both countries may cooperate in various areas including agriculture, education and IT &ICT.
The Foreign Minister suggested that Somalian students may choose to study in Bangladesh private Universities as education is being offered in various disciplines.
He also mentioned that Bangladesh has made lot of progress in agricultural research areas as well as agricultural production.
Bangladesh is exporting pharmaceuticals to a large number of countries.
Bangladesh also has acquired expertise in ship building and it is producing ship, burges and boats.
Momen mentioned that Bangladesh has earned expertise in sectors like IT and ICT, agriculture including fisheries and livestock.
He said Bangladesh and Somalia maintain friendly cooperation.
Somalia has been supporting international candidature of Bangladesh.
He sought support of Somalia at the next IMO and Human Rights Councils.
'Climate crisis destroying human rights of those least responsible for it'
The global climate crisis is destroying the human rights of those least responsible for the same, according to a British newspaper report co-authored by Bangladesh Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen.
"There is no time to lose. The longer we delay action to support people who are vulnerable to climate breakdown, the worse the consequences are likely to be, making responses even more complex and costly," Dr Momen and Patrick Verkooijen wrote in 'The Guardian'.
Patrick Verkooijen is the CEO of the Global Center on Adaptation, while Bangladesh is presiding over the Climate Vulnerable Forum this year.
Quoting UNHCR prediction that the number of climate refugees and displaced people could reach 200 million a year by 2050 -- nearly double the number than that of today, the authors called on the United Nations to urgently appoint a special rapporteur on climate change and human rights "to galvanise action on the biggest threat to fundamental freedoms".
"The special rapporteur will have a duty to witness the impact of climate breakdown on human rights first-hand, visiting countries affected by climate disasters and galvanizing action across the family of UN organisations and the wider public sphere."
The UN’s top scientists warned in August that "even if we were to succeed in reining in emissions, we still face many decades of climate disruption because of the greenhouse gases that are already trapped in the atmosphere".
"This decision to appoint a UN special envoy on climate and human rights is long overdue. The UN Human Rights Council, currently in session, could take this decision now," Dr Momen and Verkooijen wrote.
This is precisely what the CVF has called for in its manifesto for Cop26. By doing so, the authors said the Council would demonstrate that UN bodies can take decisive climate measures, a much-needed positive impulse for the Glasgow summit on which our planet’s fate hinges.
"That move is also the international community’s strongest signal it is prepared to staunch the climate emergency’s hemorrhaging of human rights. We sincerely hope it will," they wrote.
FM hands over his new book on Sheikh Hasina’s speeches to PM
Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen has handed over his new book titled “Sheikh Hasina: PM’s Speech to the Nation” to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
Dr Momen handed over the book to the prime minister in New York recently.
Prime Minister’s ICT Affairs Adviser Sajeeb Wazed Joy was also present when the PM received the book from Momen during their visit to New York to attend the UNGA.
Read: FM Momen hands over his new book to PM
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is now in Washington after attending the 76th session of the UN General Assembly (UNGA) in New York.
The book published by Ánno Prokash is a compilation of 32 original speeches of Hasina with Momen’s analysis of their socio-economic and political contexts.
Tougher maritime law in the offing; bill placed in JS
The Territorial Waters and Maritime Zones (Amendment) Act, 2021 was placed in Parliament on Thursday to make it a more time-befitting one so that evolving issues can be dealt with properly.
The proposed law will establish Bangladesh’s sovereignty over its maritime boundary which will facilitate search and extraction of marine resources.
Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen initiated the Bill and it was sent to the respective Parliamentary Standing Committee for deeper scrutiny. The Committee was asked to submit its report within 45 days.
Read: JS passes Kurigram Agricultural University Bill
The old law, which was enacted in 1974, has to be amended amid the evolving situation.
The Bill proposed maximum three years’ imprisonment or a monetary fine of minimum Tk 2 crore and maximum Tk 5 crore for maritime pollution.
The punishment was one-year imprisonment and Tk 5,000 fine in the old law.
The new draft also includes a provision for the punishment for offences in Exclusive Economic Zone, Continental Shelf and Contiguous Zone.
Read: JS passes bill to ensure better healthcare services for children
The provisions of video, photo, electronic records have also been included as evidence in proving the offences and incidents in the sea as the witness of most of the offences are not found in alien nature of crimes.
Thirty-five new sections have been incorporated in the proposed law, including the provision of criminal jurisdiction and civil jurisdiction in entry of foreign vessels and submarines into Bangladesh maritime boundary.
It defines Remotely Operated Underwater Vehicle, Autonomous Underwater Vehicle, and Unmanned Underwater Vehicle.
Read:Electricity Supply Act to get time extension, Bill placed
The Bill extended the boundary of Contiguous Zone, which is a band of water extending farther from the outer edge of the territorial sea to up to 24 nautical miles from the baseline to 24 miles from 18 miles.
The Economic Zone is replaced by the Exclusive Economic Zone. This has been done in line with the definition of United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) to establish absolute sovereignty over the marine boundary and its assets.
Under UNCLOS-1982, all coastal countries are granted sovereign right to a stretch of sea extending 200 nautical miles beyond their coast, which is known as an exclusive economic zone.
Govt establishes Bangabandhu Research Centre at Sugandha
The government has decided to establish ‘Bangabandhu Research Center for Foreign Policy and Diplomacy’ in the ‘Mujib Borsho’ to keep Bangabandhu's association with Sugandha alive in the minds of the successive generations.
COVID-19: Bangladesh provides protective items to Nepal
Bangladesh has handed over health protective items to Nepal as a gesture of friendship and in the spirit of solidarity with the people of Nepal in their fight against coronavirus under the SAARC COVID-19 Emergency Cooperation.
Bangabandhu a personification of principles of freedom, equity: Nigeria
Nigerian Foreign Minister Geoffrey Onyeama has described Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman as “an icon in the struggle for the independence of Bangladesh, and a personification of the principles of freedom and equity”.