US
Toby Cadman, who was Jamaat's legal advisor, tells Al Jazeera he was part of team asking US, UK govts for Rab sanction
Toby Cadman, a UK lawyer who was part of the team that asked the US and UK governments for sanctions against Bangladesh’s Rapid Action Battalion (Rab), has told Al Jazeera that everyone involved was surprised when UK decided not to implement sanctions.
In a report published on December 6, 2022, Al Jazeera made the revelation.
Read more: ‘Why this US sanction on Rab?’
Incidentally, Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami engaged Toby Cadman as its legal advisor in London in 2011, after the trials of several top Jamaat leaders started – over war crimes committed during the 1971 Liberation War.
The media was informed at the time by Tajul Islam – attorney for five Jamaat leaders – that Steven Kay QC, Toby Cadman, and John Cammegh had agreed to represent the Jamaat leaders.
Cadman was quoted by Al Jazeera as saying, “I filed the request for sanctions and whilst I am not in a position to discuss the substance, I can confirm that I discussed the request with the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office [FCDO, UK].”
“Having worked on both the US and UK request for sanctions, I was strongly of the view that a coordinated response was necessary in the circumstances… Our filing in the UK targeted political officials and those in the security sector,” Cadman said.
He went on to say: “It was certainly my position that the UK would issue mirror sanctions in coordination with the US. I was extremely disappointed when they failed to do so.”
Mohammad Ashrafuzzaman, a liaison officer at the Asian Human Rights Commission who submitted the proof of human rights violations by Rab attached to the sanctions petitions to the US and the UK, echoed Cadman’s dismay, according to the Al Jazeera report.
Read more: US imposes sanctions on RAB, 7 individuals
Ashrafuzzaman pointed out that the US utilised the evidence his team gathered to justify the sanctions against Rab.
Ashrafuzzaman told Al Jazeera: “The evidence was sent to the US state department and treasury, it was used by the US. That evidence was sent to the UK as well.”
Asian Human Rights Commission, in a statement released in October, alleged that “the pro-government media and the internal and external allies of the Government of Bangladesh are running a smear campaign against the UN Independent Experts, specially the Working Group on Enforced or Involuntary Disappearances (WGEID) for their consistent attention to address the issue of enforced disappearance.”
Responding to that, Professor Dr Mizanur Rahman, former Chairman of National Human Rights Commission, wrote: “What the (Asian Human Rights) Commission, however, failed to consider is that it was not an attempt to vilify any human rights body, rather the intention was to simply pinpoint the inconsistency and inaccuracy of the data coming from an institution like the UN which has always been at the forefront of defending human rights across the globe.”
Read more: US sanctions on RAB made BNP fearless in anti-government protests: Fakhrul
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, in an interview published last month, had said the US sanctions on Rab helped rejuvenate the BNP rank and file to take to the streets fearlessly, as reflected in its recent rallies.
BGMEA delegation meets US State Department official to discuss RMG issues
The Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) have discussed issues relevant to Bangladesh's readymade garments (RMG) industry, including its current challenges, prospects, and preparedness to pursue the next level of development and growth.
The discussion also encompassed the industry's efforts and initiatives to carry forward the achievements made in workplace safety, environmental sustainability, workers' rights and well-being.
A BGMEA delegation headed by its President Faruque Hassan met with Ania Canavan, economic unit chief of the State Department Office of Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Maldives, and Bhutan Affairs, at a hotel in Dhaka Monday.
The delegation included vice-presidents Md Nasir Uddin, Miran Ali; directors Asif Ashraf, Abdullah Hil Rakib and Haroon Ar Rashid.
Scott Brandon, political and economic counselor at the US Embassy in Dhaka, Matthew Beh, first secretary (political/labour) at the US Embassy, Kaitlyn Denzler, crisis, stabilization, and governance foreign service officer at USAID Bangladesh; and Md Saifuzzaman Mehrab, labour specialist at the US Embassy Dhaka, were also present at the meeting.
Read more: BGMEA, Recover discuss collaboration to turn Bangladesh into global recycling hub
Faruque informed Ania about Bangladesh's apparel industry's strides in the area of environmental sustainability, saying the country has the highest number of green garment factories in the world.
He also briefed her about the progress made by Bangladesh in improving trade union activities, workplace safety, wages, skills development and labour welfare.
Read more: BGMEA urges Rajuk to allocate land for apparel club for foreign nationals
We don't expect US to impose more sanctions: Shahriar
State Minister for Foreign Affairs Md Shahriar Alam on Sunday said Bangladesh does not expect the US to impose more sanctions considering the growing engagements between the two countries.
"We continuously remain engaged. We have enhanced our engagements and shared relevant information. We don't expect that the US administration will impose new sanctions," he told the media at his office in Dhaka.
In December 2021, the US imposed human rights-related sanctions on Rapid Action Battalion (Rab) and seven former and current officials of the agency, including recently retired Inspector General of Police Benzir Ahmed, also a former director general of the paramilitary force.
The state minister said it is very unfortunate that the opposition party BNP is spending too much money on lobbyists to see more US sanctions against Bangladesh.
He said the party has chosen December 10 as part of its plan and is putting in efforts against the country.
On September 27, the BNP announced a series of public rallies in 10 divisional cities. The party will end its divisional programmes by holding its last rally in Dhaka on December 10.
Human Rights Day is observed every year on 10 December – the day the United Nations General Assembly adopted in 1948, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
"The BNP is conspiring against the country by calling for a rally in Dhaka on International Human Rights Day," Shahriar said.
"On the advice of foreign lobbyists, the BNP has called for the rally on December 10. However, their attempt to bring in new sanctions against Bangladesh will not work," he added.
The 75th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights will be celebrated on December 10, 2023.
Ahead of the milestone, starting on this year's Human Rights Day on December 10, the UN will launch a year-long campaign to showcase the Universal Declaration of Human Rights by focusing on its legacy, relevance and activism.
Bangladesh's apparel shipment to US rises 51% during January-September
Bangladesh's apparel shipment to US, the country's single largest export destination, rose 50.98 percent year-on-year to $7.55 billion during January-September this year, the US Office of Textiles and Apparel (OTEXA) said.
With an 8.54 percent export share, the country remained the third largest apparel import source for the US.
In the first nine months of this year, the US imported apparel worth $69.27 billion from around the world, reporting a 34.61 percent rise year-on-year, according to OTEXA.
Read: Bangladesh RMG industry emphasizes technologies to enhance competitiveness, transparency: BGMEA chief
During January-September of 2022, US imports from China, the largest supplier of apparel to the North American country, grew 22.48 percent to hit $17.72 billion.
At the same time, imports from Vietnam stood at $14.59 billion, posting an 18.51 percent year-on-year growth, OTEXA said.
"While China and Vietnam had the larger share of the US' total apparel import, Bangladesh saw better export growth than these countries," Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) Director Md Mohiuddin Rubel said.
Read More: Bangladesh seeks zero tariff on apparel exports to US at 6th TICFA meeting
"This positive trend is a result of our management of the Covid situation and the post-Covid measures that we took. Also, we did well in the area of compliance. That is why the US sourced more from us. Also, the country shifted its sourcing focus from China to different countries, including Bangladesh," he added.
Among the top 10 apparel suppliers to the US, imports from India, Indonesia, Cambodia, Pakistan, and South Korea grew 53.39 percent, 54.66 percent, 46.58 percent, 40.11 percent, and 39.61 percent per cent year-on-year, respectively.
Read: Bangladesh’s exports crossed $5 billion in November raising hope of easing forex crisis, say official figures
US won’t let Rohingyas become a forgotten crisis: Asst Secretary Noyes
Visiting US Assistant Secretary, for the Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration, Julieta Valls Noyes said that the United States, together with its international partners, will not allow the Rohingyas to become a "forgotten crisis".
She made the comment after meeting with the UN agencies which are working on the ground.
Noyes thanked all the partners who work tirelessly to improve conditions for and to advance the rights of Rohingyas.
read more: Japan will continue to work toward resolution of Rohingya issue: Ambassador
US Assistant Secretary Noyes will also meet government officials to express US' gratitude for their generosity in hosting Rohingya and other refugees fleeing the worsening humanitarian crisis in Myanmar.
She is here on a five-day visit to Bangladesh (December 3-7) to highlight the US commitment to supporting the Rohingya refugee response and impacted host communities.
Noyes also appreciated the role of the US Embassy in Dhaka.
read more: CERF allocates $9 million to Rohingya response in Bangladesh
"I’m always impressed and humbled by the hard work performed every day by our U.S. Embassies. US Embassy Dhaka is no exception. Thank you Ambassador Peter Haas and all your team for your diligence, consistency, and unwavering advocacy for those in need," she said.
Some football fans in Iran celebrate US win over the country's national team in World Cup
Soccer fans in Iran's Kurdish region set off fireworks and honked car horns early Wednesday to celebrate the U.S. win over the Iranian national team in a politically charged World Cup match that divided the protest-riven country.
Cheering fans hit the streets in Iran's Kurdish-majority province of Kurdistan and fireworks lit the skies over the Bukan area of West Azerbaijan province to celebrate the Iranian team’s 1-0 loss.
Some shouted “Death to the dictator,” a popular protest slogan referring to the Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
The Kurdish areas of Iran have been hot spots of ongoing anti-government demonstrations.
The protests first erupted in September, following the death of a young Kurdish woman in the custody of Iran's morality police in the capital of Tehran.
The protests quickly morphed into the most serious challenge to Iran's theocracy since its establishment in the 1979 Islamic Revolution. Iranian authorities have blamed foreign actors, chiefly the U.S., for orchestrating the protest movement, but have provided no evidence.
Read more: Iran shuts out noise at World Cup but United States looms
Iran’s Kurdish-majority areas have seen waves of unrest amid nationwide protests against the government. The national team’s loss to the United States was seen by some as a victory against what they see as oppression by the government.
Even in areas of Tehran some chanted protest slogans following the U.S. win.
Videos posted online showed cars out on the streets of Saqqez, the capital of Kurdistan province, and the home town of Mahsa Amini, the young woman died in police custody in September.
But not everyone was cheering. Parham Azmand, a soccer fan in Tehran, said the Iranian team had done its best.
“We worked very hard but we couldn’t score although we did whatever we could," he said. "This was their day (the Americans). Our players did their best and I hope we will perform better in future world cups and God willing go through to the second round.”
Following the match, state TV commentator Mohammad Hossein Misaghi said the U.S. took advantage of “many opportunities” in the match.
Read more: Iran-US World Cup clash rife with political tension
“It was not our day,” said another commentator, Mohammadreza Ahmadi. He brushed off the defeat, saying “a match is like that; it has win and loss."
US, Iran fans mingle in Qatar ahead of World Cup clash
Smiling U.S. and Iranian fans mingled and posed for photos outside a stadium in Doha ahead of a politically charged World Cup match on Tuesday.
The atmosphere was generally festive though the political divisions among Iran fans were apparent outside Al Thumama Stadium, as they have been during previous Iran games during the tournament, with pro-government fans confronting those expressing support for the anti-government protests across Iran.
Two London-based Iranians, wearing T-shirts with the slogan of protests, were repeatedly harassed while talking to an Associated Press journalist on Tuesday. One of them, who identified herself as Maryam, received a grazing slap to the face by an Iranian man following her. Security guards got between them, but did not detain the man who slapped her.
Other men blew vuvuzelas at the two or filmed them. One man shouted at them in Farsi “why don’t you think Iran is good?”
Maryam, who like other Iran fans declined to give her last name for fear of government reprisals, said her friends were similarly harassed at Iran-Wales match on Friday.
“They can’t stop us. People are getting killed and I’m not going to get stopped by some random guy. I’m not afraid of them,” she said.
Read more: Iran-US World Cup clash rife with political tension
Dalia, an 18-year-old Iranian from the southern city of Ahvaz who attended the game with her parents, said Tuesday’s match had exposed divisions within her family between those still committed to supporting Iran’s national team and others who reject the players as tools of the government.
The Iranian players in Qatar have declined to comment or made vague statements about the protests in Iran, which were sparked by the death of a 22-year-old woman while in the custody of Iran’s morality police.
“It’s so sad for me because I want to support them so badly but I just can’t,” Dalia said.
Mehrdad and Eli from Arizona brought pictures of the young women killed in Iran’s protests to the match. But holding them up invited harassment, they said, so Eli kept them in her purse. They described a deep sense of unease at the stadium.
“I feel like I am surrounded by IRGC agents,” said Mehrdad, referring to the country’s powerful Revolutionary Guard. “Everybody’s watching you.”
Elsewhere, U.S. and Iranian fans appeared unfazed by the tensions between the two countries, posing together for photos.
The two teams have played in a World Cup once before, in 1998 in France, when Iran beat the U.S. 2-1.
“It has been amazing to see Americans. They are so friendly,” said Yas, a 14-year-old Iran fan from the city of Shiraz. "I hope this is a chance for people to connect and share their cultures peacefully.”
Her older sister had an X written with a black marker over her lips.
“She’s doing that to show we all can’t talk about the politics in our country,” Yas said.
Read more: Iran shuts out noise at World Cup but United States looms
The latest protests mark one of the biggest challenges to Iran’s ruling clerics since the 1979 Islamic Revolution that brought them to power. Rights groups say security forces have unleashed live ammunition and bird shot on the protesters, as well as beating and arresting them, with much of the violence captured on video.
At least 452 protesters have been killed and more than 18,000 detained since the start of the unrest, according to Human Rights Activists in Iran, a group that has been monitoring the protests.
Two former members of the national soccer team arrested this month in connection with the protests have been released on bail.
Parviz Boroumand, a retired goalkeeper, was arrested nearly two weeks ago on charges of participating in protests in the capital, Tehran, and was accused of damaging property. Voria Ghafouri was arrested last week for “insulting the national soccer team and propagandizing against the government,” according to state-linked media.
US earns respect at World Cup, but wins remain elusive
Respect achieved. Wins await.
American players wanted more than a 0-0 draw with England on Friday night, likely the most-watched match of their lives.
The U.S. shut out a European opponent in the World Cup for the first time since 1950 yet left the tent-like stadium in the Arabian desert knowing a win in Tuesday’s politically charged matchup with Iran is a must to reach the knockout stage.
“We dominated the game. We had the more clear-cut chances. Obviously, it sucks that we couldn’t put the ball in the back of the net,” said midfielder Weston McKennie, standing out with red, white and blue streaks in his hair. “There’s a lot of people that obviously thought we were going to get blown out.”
Read more: US frustrate England again at a World Cup in 0-0 draw
The British tabloid The Sun ran a headline calling the result “Yawn in the USA.” England supporters booed loudly at the final whistle and American fans cheered.
“I guess that’s a positive sign,” U.S. star Christian Pulisic said. “Back home watching, I hope we made a lot of people proud.”
Playing before what figured to be a huge Black Friday television audience, the former Colonies remained unbeaten in three World Cup matches against Ye Olde Country, a run that includes the famous 1-0 upset at Belo Horizonte, Brazil, in 1950 and the 1-1 draw at Rustenberg, South Africa, in 2010. The U.S. had conceded goals in 19 consecutive Cup matches against European opponents until Matt Turner matched Frank Borghi’s clean sheet of 72 years earlier.
American fans outcheered England supporters, too, including a cheeky serenade of “It’s called soccer!” in the 40th minute.
“Now I’ll go back and I don’t think my Leeds teammates can say anything with all the banter they were saying before,” midfielder Brenden Aaronson said. “I think it does show that were going to get respect out of this game.”
In 2010, England dominated 14-10 in shots and 6-4 in corner kicks. This time the U.S., using five starters from Premier League clubs, led 10-8 in shots and 7-3 in corners.
Read more: Southgate reminds England it hasn’t beaten US at World Cup
McKennie had the best U.S. chance, putting an open 9-yard attempt wide from Tim Weah’s cross in the 26th minute. Seven minutes later, Pulisic bent a shot with his weaker left foot around Kieran Trippier and Bukayo Saka, and the ball glanced off a fingertip of goalkeeper Jordan Pickford and against the crossbar.
England’s best opportunity came in second-half stoppage time, when Harry Kane sliced a header wide from Luke Shaw’s free kick.
The U.S. wore blue tie-dyed uniforms in Bayt Stadium, which has a tent-shaped roof with an underside in a red-and-black carpet pattern. The interior is filled with the sadu pattern of the Bedouin.
Coach Gregg Berhalter made just one change from the 1-1 draw against Wales, replacing forward Josh Sargent with Haji Wright in just his fifth international appearance. Usually wedded to a 4-3-3 formation, Berhalter switched to a 4-4-2 that was first practiced Wednesday, according to Aaronson, who referred to it as an “amoeba.”
“Regarding changing the way the world views American soccer, we’re chipping away at it, and you need games like tonight to be able to do that,” Berhalter said. “I talked before the World Cup about how seriously the team is taking, the staff is taking this responsibility to gain momentum in this sport in America, and good performances will do that. We want to capture the public’s attention. We want to perform at a high level. We want to give them something to be proud of, and a night like tonight helps, but there has to be more to come.”
Still, the U.S. has five losses and five draws against European teams at the World Cup since beating Portugal in 2002. Looking ahead to the Iran match likely will be the huge topic of Saturday’s Thanksgiving dinner with players, family and friends.
Iran upset the U.S. 2-1 at Lyon, France, in the second game of the 1998 World Cup, eliminating the Americans. Team Melli is coming off Friday’s 2-0 upset of Wales and would advance with a win, or with a tie if Wales fails to beat England.
“All we can ask for is to have destiny in our own hands,” Turner said, “and we have that.”
US keen to work with Bangladesh, other partners to ensure an open Indo-Pacific
US Ambassador to Bangladesh Peter Haas on Monday said they seek to work with Bangladesh and other partners to build an Indo-Pacific that is free and open.
"We want a region that is free and open, interconnected, prosperous, secure, and resilient. We share this vision with many other nations," he said, sharing the five elements of the Indo-Pacific that the US shares with many other nations.
The US ambassador was speaking at a panel discussion “Untangling the Myriad of Multilateral Frameworks in the Indo-Pacific” at a programme titled “Bay of Bengal Conversation” held at a hotel in Dhaka.
Read more: US to be bold in promoting its vision of a free, secure, and prosperous world: Haas
He said they do not ask any nation to choose between the United States and any other partner.
"As we manage shifting geopolitical trends, the United States will conduct itself as a reasonable leader. We do not seek conflict. We do not seek a Cold War," Haas said.
The ambassador said the United States will be unabashed in promoting their vision of a free, open, secure, and prosperous world.
The window of opportunity to deal with shared threats is closing fast, said the ambassador.
He said the United States and 13 partner countries launched negotiations for the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework, or IPEF, what he described as a “novel economic arrangement” that reflects their collective desire to address 21st century challenges that go beyond trade and investment.
The membership of IPEF reflects the economic diversity of the region as well as the interconnectivity among partner countries that drives economic growth, job creation, and innovation, he said.
IPEF is intended to be open and inclusive to others who wish to join in the future if they share the goals of IPEF and work to achieve those goals.
“We will continue to work on these issues and grow our economic partnership bilaterally with all nations, including Bangladesh,” said the envoy.
Read more: Excited to see more Bangladeshi students are choosing US: Peter Haas
“Let us work together to strengthen the foundations of peace and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific and around the world,” he added.
The inaugural session was addressed by former President of Serbia Boris Tadic, CGS Chairman Dr Manjur A Chowdhury and CGS Executive Director Zillur Rahman.
US to be bold in promoting its vision of a free, secure, and prosperous world: Haas
US Ambassador to Bangladesh Peter Haas on Monday said they seek to work with Bangladesh and other partners to build an Indo-Pacific that has five elements.
"We want a region that is free and open, interconnected, prosperous, secure, and resilient. We share this vision with many other nations," he said.
Read more: Excited to see more Bangladeshi students are choosing US: Peter Haas
The US Ambassador was speaking at a panel discussion “Untangling the Myriad of Multilateral Frameworks in the Indo-Pacific” at Bay of Bengal Conversations at a hotel in Dhaka.
He said they do not ask any nation to choose between the United States and any other partner.
"As we manage shifting geopolitical trends, the United States will conduct itself as a reasonable leader. We do not seek conflict. We do not seek a Cold War," Haas said.
The Ambassador said the United States will be unabashed in promoting their vision of a free, open, secure, and prosperous world.
Read more: US only cares for free & fair election, not who wins: Amb. Haas
The window of opportunity to deal with shared threats is closing fast, said Ambassador Haas.
"Our vision is a shared vision. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina described Bangladesh’s vision for the region at the 2021 Paris Peace Forum," he said.