United News of Bangladesh

Foreign Secretary Md Jashim Uddin on Thursday requested the Italian Ambassador to resolve the outstanding work visa applications at an early date including through innovative means and assured all possible cooperation from the Bangladesh government in this regard. He made the request when Ambassador of Italy to Bangladesh Antonio Alessandro met him at his office. The Foreign Secretary deeply appreciated Italy for being the generous host of the second largest Bangladesh Diaspora in Europe and acknowledged their immense contributions to the economies of both countries. The Ambassador congratulated Jashim Uddin on his appointment as the Foreign Secretary of Bangladesh and hoped that bilateral relations between the two friendly countries will be further strengthened in the coming days. Terming Bangladesh as an important country for Italy, particularly in terms of migration, the Ambassador expressed Italy’s desire to deepen migration cooperation with Bangladesh.  Ambassador Alessandro confirmed Italy’s will to resolve the outstanding work visa issue at an early date, and cooperate further to curb irregular migration and promote legal pathways for skills mobility from Bangladesh to Italy, during the maiden courtesy call on Foreign Secretary by the Ambassador of Italy at the Ministry today. The Italian Ambassador informed that a significant number of work visa applications are now pending at the Embassy mainly due to the illicit meddling of organized criminal networks, constantly trying to interfere with the work visa system, the submission of counterfeit documents as well as the unforeseen surge of visa requests in relation to the Embassy’s human resources. He further informed that the Italian government has announced very stringent measures against human trafficking and migrant-smuggling. The competent offices of the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the International Cooperation are now supporting the Embassy in discriminating suspicious and genuine work permits (Nulla Osta) in order to fast-track the visa issuing process. This will allow the Embassy to clear a significant number of genuine visa applications by the year-end, as well as further investigating potentially suspicious requests, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The Ambassador expected that the work visa applications would be processed at a faster rate in the coming weeks with the reinforcement of additional officials at the Italian Embassy in Dhaka. The Foreign Secretary thanked the Italian Ambassador for his earnest and practical efforts to resolve the outstanding work visa applications and both sides expected that the proposed MOU between the two governments on migration and mobility would be concluded soon to facilitate legal pathways for employment of skilled workers, curb irregular migration from Bangladesh to Italy, and establish closer cooperation on repatriations.

A total of 23 young Bangladeshi professionals have received Chevening Scholarships for the coming academic year (2024/25). They will soon leave Bangladesh to begin one-year master’s degrees at some of the UK’s most prestigious universities. British High Commission Dhaka welcomed the next cohort of Chevening Scholars through an online event last week. Chevening Scholarships are the UK Government’s global scholarship programme, funded by the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) and partner organisations. The scholarships support one-year taught master's degrees at UK universities for individuals with demonstrable potential to become future leaders, decision-makers, and opinion formers. British Charge d’affaires James Goldman said many congratulations to the 23 young scholars, including 17 women, from Bangladesh joining the Chevening programme this year. “UK degrees and teaching methods are world-class and will allow them to develop their professional skills and shape their future career.”When they return home after their studies in the UK, they will be well-equipped to be leaders in their fields here in Bangladesh,” Goldman said.Applications for Chevening Scholarships to study in the UK are open to apply until 5 November 2024, said the British High Commission in Dhaka on Thursday. Chevening began in 1983 and has developed into a prestigious international awards scheme. Chevening Scholars come from over 160 countries and territories worldwide. Over the past five years, Chevening has awarded over 8,000 scholarships. There are over 57,000 Chevening Alumni around the world who comprise an influential and highly regarded global network.

Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus could be an asset in leveraging his star power and connections to the donor community to get Western governments to consider hosting refugees, says an expert on South Asian affairs. "Yunus has an opportunity this month: He is expected to attend the annual U.N. General Assembly meetings in New York, which will give him a prominent platform to make an appeal to the world, both through his speech and on the sidelines," Michael Kugelman wrote in Foreign Policy’s South Asia Brief. It may be difficult, he said, adding that the sheer scale of the Rohingya challenge, competing donor priorities, and the uneasiness of many governments about taking on refugees could cause him to fall short. However, the stakes are high for the Rohingya refugee community, as well as for Bangladesh. "Rohingya refugees face major hardships, living in overcrowded camps and depending almost entirely on humanitarian aid. Beginning in 2020, Dhaka relocated thousands of refugees to a deserted and flood-prone island," said the expert. Because, he said, Bangladesh doesn’t provide Rohingya refugees with a path to citizenship, many are deprived of basic services, including access to education. This week, Prof Yunus, the head of Bangladesh’s interim government, called for the expedited resettlement of Rohingya refugees to third countries. Bangladesh hosts over 1.2 million Rohingya today, many of whom fled military violence in Myanmar in 2017; many reside in massive refugee camps in the city of Cox’s Bazar. Intensifying conflict in Myanmar has likely prompted Yunus’s urgency: Around 8,000 Rohingya refugees have crossed the border into Bangladesh in recent months, according to Bangladeshi officials. The Rohingya issue is one of many daunting policy challenges for Yunus and the interim government, which is also grappling with restoring law and order following the forced resignation of Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina last month, stabilizing a sputtering economy, and initiating large-scale institutional reforms, said Kugelman But Bangladesh has a fighting chance at addressing the refugee crisis, in large part because of Yunus himself. Yunus, a Nobel Peace Prize-winning economist and microfinance pioneer, enjoys close ties with Western governments and the international donor community. "His prominence and reputation overseas lend him the credibility to make effective pitches for increased humanitarian aid for Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh—the first and most immediate step needed to tackle the crisis," said Kugelman. The international community has provided generous assistance, including $2.4 billion from Washington since 2017. But ensuring continued aid is essential: Competing humanitarian crises in Gaza, Ukraine, and elsewhere risk distracting from the plight of the Rohingya, even as thousands more refugees enter Bangladesh. The Hasina government had made an $852 million appeal for assistance this year, but the United Nations warns it has been underfunded. The second and more difficult step is the resettlement process. Given the rapidly worsening conflict in Myanmar, Bangladesh’s interim government wisely appears unwilling to continue the Hasina administration’s policy of seeking to repatriate some Rohingya back to Myanmar, including involuntarily. Negotiating third-party resettlements won’t be easy; to this point, few countries have stepped up to host Rohingya refugees. (India, Malaysia, and Thailand host a combined 345,000 people), said Kugelman. In recent years, many desperate Rohingya refugees have boarded flimsy boats from Bangladesh and sought to escape to Southeast Asia by sea—but some have died en route, and others have faced violent resistance on arrival. Meanwhile, Bangladeshi officials and international experts worry about the long-term costs for Bangladesh of hosting so many refugees, from worsening economic stress to radicalization risks. Ultimately, the Rohingya have a potential powerful champion in Yunus, if he is up for the task of advocating on their behalf on the global stage, said the expert, adding that it is a challenge for which he’s eminently qualified.

Outgoing Canadian High Commissioner Dr Lilly Nicholls on Wednesday reaffirmed Canada's commitment to supporting the interim government and its reform efforts. She described the Bangladesh-Canada relationship as "multifaceted" and expressed optimism about further collaboration. Foreign Secretary Md Jashim Uddin hosted a farewell luncheon in honour of High Commissioner Nicholls at the State Guest House Padma. Prior to the luncheon, they discussed various aspects of the Bangladesh-Canada bilateral relationship. The Foreign Secretary praised Dr Nicholls for her dynamic role in strengthening ties between the two countries. He highlighted the recent student-led uprising in Bangladesh as a revolutionary event that has created space to reform the country towards a democratic future free from discrimination. The Foreign Secretary sought continued Canadian support for ongoing reforms under the interim government. Dr Nicholls also thanked the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for their support throughout her tenure.

The United States and the European Union (EU) have discussed the latest developments in Bangladesh. On September 9-10, 2024, Deputy Secretary of State Kurt Campbell and European External Action Service (EEAS) Secretary General Stefano Sannino held the seventh high-level meeting of the U.S.-EU Dialogue on China and the sixth meeting of the U.S.-EU High-Level Consultations on the Indo-Pacific. The two sides discussed the latest developments in Bangladesh apart from other issues, according to the US Department of State. They shared their respective assessments of the geopolitical trends shaping the situation in the Indo-Pacific. They discussed current challenges in Myanmar, highlighting the UN Special Rapporteur’s June 26 report identifying banks assisting the military government and discussed means to further enhance coordination and assessment of restrictive measures.  They also strongly condemned the DPRK’s continued arms transfers to Russia and Russia’s use of DPRK ballistic missiles in Ukraine.  They discussed the value of U.S. and EU respective engagement with India on global challenges, on security, including in the maritime sphere, energy and connectivity in the Indo-Pacific.

Foreign Affairs Adviser Md Touhid Hossain on Wednesday highlighted the deep historical and cultural ties between Bangladesh and Iran, reaffirming the potential for enhancing cooperation in multiple sectors. Ambassador of Iran Mansour Chavoshi met the Foreign Adviser at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and discussed issues of mutual interest. The discussions focused on strengthening bilateral and multilateral relations, with an emphasis on diplomatic, economic, and cultural cooperation. During the meeting, Ambassador Chavoshi referred to the congratulatory message from the Iranian Foreign Minister and congratulated the Foreign Adviser on his recent appointment. Ambassador Chavoshi expressed Iran’s commitment to further deepen these ties, proposing the signing and renewal of MoUs/Agreements on investment, preferential trade, tariff reductions, visa exemptions, cultural exchanges, city-to-city partnerships, and media collaboration, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Both sides also stressed the importance of expanding cooperation particularly in healthcare, tourism, education, and knowledge-based industries, with focus on advanced technology. The Ambassador expressed gratitude for Bangladesh’s longstanding support on international platforms and voiced his hope for continued collaboration in future global initiatives. They also discussed the holding of the next round of Foreign Office Consultations and to resume the Joint Commission meeting in Tehran soon. They explored ways to address current challenges and expand opportunities for collaboration.

Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus on Wednesday reiterated that they want good relations with India and other neighboring countries. But, he said, that relationship should be based on fairness and equality. "With India, we have already started discussions on high-level bilateral cooperation in dealing with floods," Prof Yunus said in a televised speech in the evening marking the first month of his government. He said he has taken the initiative to revive the SAARC grouping of nations with a view to enhancing regional cooperation in South Asia. Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi and Prime Minister of Pakistan Shehbaz Sharif are among the heads of government that have had telephone conversations with him, Prof Yunus said. After assuming office, Prof Yunus said, the Heads of Government of various countries congratulated him over the telephone and sent greetings. Ambassadors and high commissioners stationed in Dhaka met him and assured him of strengthening bilateral cooperation. “At my request, the government of the United Arab Emirates announced amnesty to 57 Bangladeshis who were sentenced to various terms of imprisonment for participating in anti-fascist protests,” Prof Yunus said. Some of them have already returned to the country. “It’s very rare.” Prof Yunus said they want the country to be known with respect to the world as a democratic country.

Bangladesh Hindu Community in London arranged the annual Gita Yajna on Sunday under the theme of "World Peace and Harmony," focusing humanity and the growing number of global natural disasters, including cyclones, floods, and wildfires, which continue to devastate millions of lives worldwide. The event was organised by the Bhagavat Gita Research Foundation (BGRF), UK, in collaboration with Sri Sri Geetasangha Bangladesh. The Yajna, a sacred fire ritual, was performed with prayers to reduce the impact of these catastrophes, symbolically representing the hope that the blazing fire of Yajna would extinguish the suffering caused by such calamities. Over 300 devotees attended the event, united in their shared desire for peace and healing worldwide. The Gita Yajna was performed by the prominent priest, Nityananda Chakravorty, President Sri Sri Gitasangha Bangladesh.

US Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken on Wednesday paid tribute to the courageous first responders who risked and sacrificed their lives to rescue others on September 11, 2001. “In the years since September 11, the United States has remained resolute in defending the homeland, protecting our people, and supporting our allies in this crucial mission,” Blinken said in a statement marking the 23rd anniversary of the September 11, 2001 attacks. On September 11, 2001, terrorists claimed the lives of nearly 3,000 people and injured more than 6,000 others in the most devastating attack on American soil in our nation’s history.  “Today, on Patriot Day 2024, we honor their memories and stand in solidarity with the families and friends of those who perished in New York City, Arlington, Virginia and Shanksville, Pennsylvania,” said the US Secretary of State. On this Patriot Day observance, he said they are reminded of the enduring strength of the American people.  “This resilience drives our ongoing fight against terrorism.” Blinken said they also remember their colleagues who were killed in Benghazi, Libya, on this day in 2012.  “Their bravery and dedication continues to inspire us and serves as a reminder of the resilience and sacrifice that define our mission,” he said.

Australian Minister for Climate Change and Energy Chris Bowen has said their thoughts are with all Bangladeshis at this difficult time and he particularly made reference to the violence and the plight of ethnic and religious minorities in Bangladesh. “All violence is to be abhorred,” he said while speaking at the Australian Parliament on September 10, noting that the members and the whole House would have watched with great concern the episodes in Bangladesh over recent months, with the fall of the government and the violence. “As I said at the outset, all violence to all Bangladeshis is to be deplored”, he said, adding that he wants to take this opportunity to raise the particular matter of attacks on religious and ethnic minorities in Bangladesh—Hindus, Christians and others, according to the Parliament of Australia. “I, together with other Western Sydney colleagues, have written to Minister Wong raising this issue. We'll continue to raise these concerns,” said the Australian Minister. He said their representatives in Bangladesh have been actively ensuring that Australia's views about the need for a return to stability and lack of violence are represented. “There has been violence against these minorities in the past, particularly in 2021 during the Durga Puja, but I wanted to take this opportunity to raise this very important matter for the information of the House and to assure Bangladeshis who are ethnic minorities that the House is watching and listening,” Bowen said. Recently, the Australian Minister said, there was a briefing of members of parliament, which he participated in online. “I was joined by Dr Charlton, Dr Freelander, Anne Stanley, Thistlethwaite and representatives from Minister Husic's office and Minister Rollin's office. The briefing was organised by Councillor Suman Saha of Cumberland City Council and 46 leaders of the Bangladeshi community who raised issues,” he said. The minister said they were also joined by three members of the families of victims of violence in Bangladesh over recent months. “There are very complex matters at play and not every report will be accurate, but, nevertheless, I'm satisfied that there are genuine issues that need to be addressed. Genuine issues were raised in this meeting: 725 homes and businesses damaged, 724 homes and businesses looted, 58 homes and businesses set on fire, 17 places of worship damaged, 21 places of worship looted,” he mentioned. Included in these statistics are human stories, said the Minister, adding that it has been reported that Rahul Ananda's home was looted and set on fire. “I'm told that Rahul's home was host to cultural vibrance and community. Rahul is a very famous musician in the Bangladeshi community,” Bowen said. His house has previously been visited by President Macron of France. “But, since the attack, Rahul has been forced to flee Bangladesh. This is one of many stories during this tragedy. All violence is to be abhorred. Minister Wong made it clear that we want restoration of stability in Bangladesh. I do recognise the efforts of the new government, led by Muhammad Yunus,” Bowen added.