Foreign Secretary
Explore ways for managing future challenges, FS to Cotton Association leaders
A delegation of the newly elected committee of the Bangladesh Cotton Association led by its President Muhammad Ayub met Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen on Thursday at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Both sides expressed their desire to work together for exploring new markets and for strengthening the supply chain solutions for the RMG and textile sector.
The Association leadership appraised the Foreign Secretary of the initiatives undertaken by the association for diversifying cotton sourcing necessary for the spinning and in general the RMG sector and export.
Read: Stop trade based money laundering, Agriculture Minister urges customs officials
The association expressed its need for greater access to the international market and stronger price stability.
The Foreign Secretary asked the association leadership to explore ways for managing the challenges emerging in the future - as Bangladesh moves into the Middle Income country domain.
Branding and marketing revived cotton products such as Muslin and also other high value traditional cotton items such as those found in Narayanganj and other places of the country also featured prominently during the discussions.
Bangabandhu Corner opened in Islamabad
Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen Saturday inaugurated a Bangabandhu Corner at the Bangladesh High Commission in Islamabad.
The corner has been adorned with inscriptions and photographs and books and publications on Father of the Nation of Bangladesh Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.
Miller summoned; Dhaka’s discontent over Washington’s unilateral decision conveyed
US Ambassador to Bangladesh Earl R Miller was summoned by Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen on Saturday to convey Dhaka’s “discontent” over the designated sanctions imposed by the US Departments of Treasury and of State on some of the present and former officials of the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB).
Foreign Secretary Momen expressed Bangladesh’s disappointment that the decision was taken "unilaterally" by the US administration without any prior consultation with the government of Bangladesh.
He flagged that the issues that were cited for imposing the designated sanctions remained under active discussions, including under the framework of the regular institutional dialogues between the two sides, and yet the US decision came without any prior intimation.
The Foreign Secretary regretted that the US decided to undermine an agency of the government that had been on the forefront of combating terrorism, drug trafficking and other heinous transnational crimes that were considered to be shared priorities with successive US administrations.
The Foreign Secretary regretted that the allegations made against RAB over certain specific incidents had been explained, along with information on the corresponding justice and accountability measures undertaken, to not just to the US administration but also to a number of UN human rights mechanisms on multiple occasions.
READ: US imposes sanctions on RAB, 7 individuals
Masud Momen stated that the US decision appeared to have been based more on unverified or unsubstantiated allegations of command responsibility than on the facts involved in connection with certain specific incidents that had taken place at the local level.
The Foreign Secretary said the decision targeting the Bangladesh officials was made in tandem with those concerning certain countries that stand alleged to have committed serious international crimes, i.e. 'textbook example of ethnic cleansing’, by the UN and other concerned international bodies.
He emphasized that the government of Bangladesh remained committed to upholding the rule of law and human rights, and maintained a ‘zero tolerance’ approach to any wrongdoings or aberrations by its law enforcement agencies.
Foreign Secretary Momen stressed that all uniformed services in Bangladesh followed a set of legal and administrative procedures to address any allegation of wrongdoing against any of their members, and that RAB was no exception in this regard.
READ: US engagement in Indo-Pacific not against any country: Miller
Foreign Secretary Momen underscored the need for pursuing the pathway of dialogue, engagement and collaboration, instead of resorting to ‘naming and shaming’ that has proven to be a self-defeating exercise.
He highlighted that the observance of the 50th anniversary of the diplomatic relations between the two friendly countries next year should open up further avenues to enhance the breadth and dimensions of the existing partnership.
Ambassador Miller took note of the concerns raised by the Government of Bangladesh, and assured of conveying the same to his Capital, said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
He concurred that the excellent multifaceted relations between two countries could be further deepened through established consultation mechanisms and high level visits.
Ambassador Miller also expressed the US government’s willingness to remain closely engaged with the government of Bangladesh in the coming days on the issues of mutual interest.
The United States on Friday imposed human rights-related sanctions on Benzir Ahmed, current Inspector General of the Bangladesh Police and former Director General of Bangladesh’s Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) and six other individuals on the occasion of International Human Rights Day.
The US Department of State announced visa restrictions on Benazir Ahmed, which it says, due to his “involvement in gross violations of human rights” making him ineligible for entry into the United States.
RAB as an entity, Benzir Ahmed, and six other officials were designated by the Department of the Treasury under the Global Magnitsky sanctions programme in connection with serious human rights abuse, said the US Department of State.
Dhaka, Male’ to work together on climate change, regional security
Bangladesh and the Maldives on Saturday held the first-ever bilateral consultations reaffirming their commitment to work together in regional and multilateral fora, especially on issues of climate change and regional security.
Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen led the delegation at the bilateral consultations held in Male’ between Bangladesh and the Maldives. Foreign Secretary of the Maldives Abdul Ghafoor led the Maldives delegation.
The Maldivian sides sought support from Bangladesh for the recruitment of skilled human resources, including specialized doctors and nurses.
They also sought support from Bangladesh for specialized courses in higher education, especially the medical one.
Read: Hasina for strengthening connectivity with Maldives
Both the Foreign Secretaries noted the excellent relations that exist between the two countries and reaffirmed to further strengthen that in the days to come.
UK Foreign Secretary reaffirms support for Bangladesh’s climate actions
British Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab has reiterated his country’s support towards the actions Bangladesh has taken on climate change in the run up to COP26 and beyond.
He especially mentioned the country’s transition away from coal to clean and renewable energy and pressed for Bangladesh to commit to a 2050 net zero target.
Raab held a virtual meeting with Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen on Monday when he stressed the importance of a coordinated international response on Afghanistan with the aim of safeguarding regional stability.
Dhaka seeks UN role in Afghanistan to avert people’s sufferings
Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen on Monday said the United Nations should step up efforts at this critical juncture in Afghanistan as Bangladesh does not want to see people in Afghanistan suffer anymore.
"While we welcome peace talks involving important players, I think, the United Nations as a neutral broker should step up (efforts) at this critical juncture," he said adding that Bangladesh wants to see a fellow South Asian State, a fellow member of SAARC and its people remain free from any sufferings.
Bangladesh thinks the strengthening of democratic institutions, including endogenous ones and unimpeded socio-economic development in Afghanistan – with the active participation of the international community – remain important.
Also read: ASEAN countries urged to help expedite Rohingya repatriation efforts
"The daunting task ahead is to build an efficient public service delivery system suitable for the Afghan people given the geography and ethnic divide and millennium old, decentralized structure," said the Foreign Secretary.
Govt to vaccinate Rohingyas gradually starting with above-55s: Foreign Secretary
The government has decided to vaccinate the Rohingyas as part of an inclusive vaccination programme.
Although no start date was offered, a preliminary decision was announced that in the first phase, those who are above 55 years old will be considered.
Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen, while talking to reporters on Tuesday, said the host communities around the Rohingya camps have frequent communication with the Rohingyas and the government wants to keep both protected.
READ: Covid-19: Govt to vaccinate 25 lakh people each month
He said the age bar will be brought down gradually in line with the supply of the vaccines in Bangladesh from different sources.
The Foreign Secretary said there will be no discrimination in terms of vaccination considering the “practicality" - the fact that no one is protected unless everyone is protected from a contagion.
Earlier, UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, sought stronger global support for refugee vaccinations in Asia, including Rohingyas who are living in Bangladesh. Bangladesh is now hosting over 1.1 million Rohingyas in Cox’s Bazar and Bhasan Char.
The vaccination of refugees was scheduled to start by the end of March 2021. However, the date had to be postponed as the arrival of the COVAX vaccines was delayed.
Responding to a question on air-bubble with India, the Foreign Secretary said they are in discussion and a proposal regarding resumption of this special arrangement is in place.
READ: All adults to be gradually vaccinated: Health Minister
He hoped that the air-bubble arrangement would be resumed at a mutually convenient time in August on a limited scale as the situation in India is improving.
Bangladesh keen to expand ties with Asean countries: FS
Bangladesh is keen to expand its ties with Asean countries encompassing areas like trade, investment, physical connectivity, defence cooperation and track-2 diplomacy, said Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen on Wednesday.
He sought support from the Asean countries to Bangladesh’s application for becoming a sectoral dialogue partner.
The Foreign Secretary held a virtual discussion with the Heads of Missions from different Asean countries in Dhaka through the Bangladeshi App Boithok and discussed various issues of cooperation.
Also read: HR promoting countries have a double-standard approach: FM
This was for the first time that the foreign diplomats successfully used the virtual meeting app developed by the ICT Ministry of Bangladesh.
Form independent int’l commission to take legal action against Israel: FS
Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen on Wednesday said an independent international commission must be formed to take legal action against the Israeli authorities for crime and atrocities on the Palestinian people.
He said a ceasefire is not enough for tackling the future violence in Palestine; rather, the immediate establishment of the State of Palestine based on a two-state solution should be the core of all collective efforts.
While sharing his views on Bangladesh’s unwavering support and solidarity with the Palestinians, the Foreign Secretary mentioned that Bangladesh’s position is clear and unambiguous since Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman stood up on international platforms to show Bangladesh’s unflinching support for Palestinian rights.
He made the remarks at a webinar titled ‘Israel’s atrocity against the Palestinians: Where is the Humanity’ organised by the Center for Peace Studies of SIPG at NSU.
Professor Abdur Rob Khan, Dean, School of Humanities and Social Sciences (SHSS), NSU, touched upon the historical perspective of the Israeli atrocities against the Palestinians and the peace process and asked the audience how long the international bodies will let this history continue.
Also read: FM warns of legal action if anyone tries to visit Israel from Bangladesh
While critically assessing the role of media on the current escalation of the Israel-Palestine issue, Dhaka Tribune Editor Zafar Sobhan talked about the one-sided media narrative, primarily by the US and UK over the years.
However, this view has changed over the years where just western media no longer dominate the media; rather, social media has democratised and opened space for a bigger narrative with the age of visual media, he said.
Sobhan also stated that the crisis has to be seen from the humanitarian perspectives rather than as a conflict between the Muslim and Jewish communities.
Ambassador of Palestine to Bangladesh Yousef SY Ramadan started by asking where is humanity.
He said human rights have been neglected in the cases of Israel’s atrocities against the Palestinians. “Due to the lack of a possible justice, the sufferings of the Palestinians have increased over the period. In addition, the entire process of peace talks in the last three decades did not produce anything for the Palestinians.”
He said the more the dialogue, diplomacy and negotiation continued in the previous several decades, the more the Palestinians lost their land and lives. “Now resistance is the only viable option for the Palestinian people.”
Also read: No change in Bangladesh's position over Israel: FM
Former Foreign Secretary Shahidul Haque said the United Nations and the international community should take a strong stand in resolving the crisis. He elaborated the role of UN, OIC and ICC in trying to bring viable solutions.
Though Israel has a history of detesting any multilateral intervention, new investigations such as that of ICC should give the international community to build its motions, he said.
Professor Atiqul Islam, the Vice-Chancellor of NSU, said the Palestinian issue is an emotional issue, not just as Muslims but as a person with any sense of justice, equity, freedom for people and human rights.
He believes justice will prevail, even if not in the near future, but the Palestinians will get their land, freedom, and livelihoods back in the foreseeable future.
The webinar began with the welcome speech of Dr Bulbul Siddiqi, an Associate Professor and a member of CPS.
Professor Tawfique M Haque, Director of SIPG and Chair of the Department of Political Science and Sociology, was the moderator of the webinar.
We respect Bangladesh’s right to make foreign policy decisions for itself: US
The United States has taken note of Chinese Ambassador Li Jiming's recent remarks over "Quad" saying that the US respects Bangladesh’s right to make foreign policy decisions for itself.
"What we would say is that we respect Bangladesh’s sovereignty, and we respect Bangladesh’s right to make foreign policy decisions for itself," Spokesperson at the US Department of State Ned Price said in a regular briefing on Tuesday.
Price said they have an incredibly strong relationship with Bangladesh and work closely with their partners there on a range of issues --from economic growth to climate change to humanitarian issues.
Also read: Ambassador Li meets FS; explains his remarks
"And when it comes to the Quad, we’ve said this before, but the Quad, it’s an informal, essential, multilateral mechanism that right now conveys – convenes likeminded democracies – the United States, India, Australia, and Japan – to coordinate in the Indo-Pacific, and fundamentally, to push forward our goal of a free and open Indo-Pacific region," said the Spokesperson.
Chinese Ambassador Li Jiming on Wednesday met Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen and explained his remarks made during the DCAB discussions.
The meeting was held after a vaccine handover ceremony at state guesthouse Padma.
Also read: It's very regrettable, says FM on China's Quad remarks
They discussed different bilateral issues, including Covid cooperation, between the two countries, a senior official at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs told UNB.
They highlighted the importance of the growing relationship between the two countries.
On Monday, the Ambassador attended a programme hosted by Diplomatic Correspondents Association, Bangladesh (DCAB) and talked about a number of issues, including vaccine cooperation.
Also read: Beijing wants Dhaka not to join Quad
The envoy, while responding to a question, also talked about Quad, an initiative of four countries- the United States, Japan, India and Australia, that was followed by a reaction by Dhaka.
Ambassador Li said obviously it will not be a good idea for Bangladesh to participate in this small club of four countries because it will "substantially damage" the bilateral relationship between the two countries.
“So, we don’t like to see any form of participation by Bangladesh to this small group of countries,” said the envoy.