Masud Bin Momen
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.
Indian Foreign Secretary Shringla in city
Indian Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla arrived here on Tuesday morning on a two-day visit as India officially announced its President’s state visit to Bangladesh from December 15-17.
Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen received his Indian counterpart Shringla upon his arrival by a special aircraft.
Apart from his meeting with Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen and Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen, Shringla will meet Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina during his visit.
Though the Indian government is yet to announce the name of the chief guest for its Republic Day parade that falls on January 26, it could not be known whether Shringla is carrying any message or special invitation from Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his Bangladesh counterpart.
The Indian Foreign Secretary is scheduled to meet the Prime Minister on Wednesday.
He will also call on Road Transport and Bridges Minister Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader on Tuesday.
Also read: Dhaka-Delhi connectivity positively impacts Bangladesh, North East: Shringla
India’s relationship with Bangladesh is one of the strongest pillars of its "Neighbourhood First Policy”, said the Indian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
In this special year, Bangladesh and India are jointly commemorating 50 years of the establishment of their diplomatic ties.
The Foreign Secretary’s visit to Bangladesh, a day after the Maitri Diwas celebrations, will provide an opportunity to review the wide-ranging cooperation between the two countries, MEA said.
The visit will also help prepare for the State visit of President of India Ram Nath Kovind to Bangladesh from December 15 to 17.
Earlier, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi had paid a State visit to Bangladesh from March 26 to 27, 2021 to join the celebrations of the Golden Jubilee of the independence of Bangladesh, the birth centenary of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and 50 years of establishment of diplomatic relations between India and Bangladesh.
During his visit here, Prime Minister Modi extended an invitation to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to visit India in 2022 in commemoration of the Golden Jubilee of the establishment of diplomatic relations.
On Monday in New Delhi, the Indian Foreign Secretary said India will cooperate increasingly with Bangladesh, noting that the next 50 years of two countries' shared journey will bring even greater satisfaction for both sides.
Loosely translated, he said, this Maitri Diwas means ‘Friendship Day" but ''Maitri" has a much deeper connotation.
"It’s a relationship that has a depth, and has a significance beyond the ordinary. It’s a bond that has stood the test of time," Shringla said at a discussion "Maitri Diwas, 50th Anniversary of India-Bangladesh Diplomatic Relations" held in New Delhi.
Also read: Bangladesh to get increased cooperation from India: Shringla
Indian Council of World Affairs (ICWA) hosted the event. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina sent a video message on the occasion.
The upcoming state visit of Indian President Ram Nath Kovind to Bangladesh on this historic occasion is a reflection of the high priority that both countries attach to the bilateral relationship, says the Indian Ministry of External Affairs (MEA).
“It also reaffirms the shared desire of both countries to further consolidate and strengthen the multifaceted and irreversible partnership, based on historical and cultural ties, mutual trust and understanding,” the MEA said in a statement officially announcing the state visit of Indian the President to Bangladesh on December 15-17.
At the invitation of President Abdul Hamid, the President of India will pay the state visit to attend the 50th Victory Day celebrations of Bangladesh.
During the visit, the President will hold a delegation-level meeting with President Hamid. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will also have a meeting with the President. Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen will also call on him.
“Bangladesh is a major pillar of India’s Neighbourhood First Policy,” said the MEA.
It said Bangladesh and India share progressive, comprehensive and substantial cooperation in diverse areas ranging from security, border management, defence, water resources, trade, transport, connectivity, health, culture, people-to-people ties, energy, power to development partnership and sub-regional cooperation. Both countries have closely cooperated in addressing challenges during the Covid-19 pandemic.
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.
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.
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.
Ambassador Li meets FS; explains his remarks
Chinese Ambassador Li Jiming on Wednesday met Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen and explained his recent remarks made during a progamme of Diplomatic Correspondents Association Bangladesh (DCAB).
The meeting was held at the state guesthouse Padma after the vaccine handover ceremony.
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 DCAB and talked about a number of issues including vaccine cooperation.
The envoy, while responding to a question, also talked about Quad, an initiative of four countries- the United States, Japan, India and Australia, that followed by a reaction by Dhaka.
Dhaka lauds IOC WESTPAC for taking initiatives amid pandemic
Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen has appreciated the IOC Sub-Commission for the Western Pacific (WESTPAC) for its admirable initiatives amid the trying times of pandemic.
He urged for prioritising capacity development of the member states and coming up with specially tailored capacity-building programmes based on the realities of this region.
The Senior Secretary of Bangladesh delivered the concluding remarks on behalf of the host country on the final day of the three-day 13th Intergovernmental Session of the IOC Sub-Commission for the Western Pacific (WESTPAC) on Thursday.
He conveyed his heartfelt gratitude to all the participants for their wholehearted cooperation in arranging this successful session.
Bangladesh, Indonesia for early signing of PTA
Bangladesh and Indonesia on Thursday stressed early signing of Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA) within the ambit of which potential export items from both countries would be allowed to enter duty free.
The two countries agreed to complete the signing of pending MoUs and agreements on a fast-track basis, pursue sector specific agenda and do the needful to expand the volume of bilateral trade and investment.
Bangladesh sought Indonesia’s continued support for Rohingya repatriation and appreciated the last ASEAN Leaders’ Meeting which also called for early repatriation of Rohingyas to Myanmar. Indonesia assured to stand beside Bangladesh on Rohingya issue.
Bangladesh and Indonesia held their first ever Foreign Office Consultations (FOC) on Thursday and discussed the issues.
Also read: PM for building infrastructures to reap highest benefits from PTA