United News of Bangladesh

Foreign Affairs Adviser to the Interim Government Md Touhid Hossain on Monday reiterated that the so-called "golden chapter" in Dhaka-Delhi relations remained missing at the people-to-people level, though it was prevalent between the two governments. “We want to see good relations at people-to-people level. People should think that there is a truly good relationship (between Bangladesh and India). It is better to recognize that it was absent in the relations,” he told reporters at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The Foreign Affairs Adviser claimed that the Indian media created some hype but the international media outlets which publish substantive and neutral news did not fall for that line. Hossain said there was some chaos amid the revolution which was very normal but those have been addressed. “We have come out from that state.” He said there was some anger among the people but those issues could be addressed through bilateral “corrective measures.” The Adviser said they thought that the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) would emerge as an alternative to the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) but that did not happen. He said BIMSTEC would not be able to become an effective platform in the truest sense until peace is restored in Myanmar. The Adviser said they did not want any alternative to SAARC, but that SAARC has been the "victim of India-Pakistan rivalry". He said Bangladesh wants to maintain friendship with all including India and Pakistan. Earlier, Chief Adviser Prof Yunus said he is committed to revitalising SAARC as a top regional forum to boost ties among the South Asian nations. During a recent telephone conversation with Pakistan Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif, Prof Yunus highlighted the necessity of holding regular SAARC summits and stressed holding even a brief meeting among the heads of state and governments of the SAARC states at the earliest convenience.

Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus on Monday said that the interim government has been tasked with carrying out “deep reforms” and general election would be held after a “reasonable” time. Prof Yunus also called for a “combined” effort and “a common platform” among the donors for flood response in Bangladesh. The Chief Adviser made the remarks during a meeting with US Embassy Charge d'Affaires (Cd’A) Helen LaFave, when the latter paid a courtesy call on Prof Yunus at the State Guest House Jamuna in Dhaka. LaFave told the Chief Adviser that the US would support the interim government of Bangladesh and strengthen ties with Dhaka on a range of issues. She said the US would work closely with Bangladesh on health, education, labour, governance, and the Rohingya issues. She said the US government was happy to congratulate the Chief Adviser and was looking forward to working together. She said the US embassy in Dhaka will this week resume its consular service in an effort to expedite visa processing. Thousands of Bangladeshi students now study in US universities, the Chief Adviser’s press wing quoted her as saying. LaFave said Washington has started resettling some Rohingyas in the US, and hoped the process would be expedited. The US is the largest contributor to the Rohingya humanitarian responses, and the US charge d'affaires said the amount of monthly food aid for the Rohingyas has been increased this year after more US funding has been allocated. She also called for livelihood opportunities for the Rohingyas. Chief Adviser Prof Yunus thanked the US for supporting Bangladesh, including its continued funding for more than one million Rohingyas who live in the camps in Cox's Bazar. The US diplomat also raised some concerns over labour and minority issues. The Chief Adviser said every citizen in the country is "protected by the constitution" and the interim government is committed to upholding the human rights of all citizens. Human rights issues, the cyber security laws, and the Rapid Action Battalion also came up during the talks. The US Charge d'Affaires said her government was also trying to help Bangladesh set up a prosecutorial service in an effort to ensure fair trials in the country.

The contractual appointment of Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen has been cancelled. The Public Administration Ministry issued a gazette notification in this regard on Monday. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Sunday bid farewell to Masud Bin Momen. His contractual appointment was scheduled to end in December this year, however. Foreign Affairs Adviser Md Touhid Hossan and senior officials of the ministry were present at the farewell ceremony. The previous government extended the tenure of Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen by two more years under a contractual appointment effective from December 6, 2022 or from the date of his joining. Md. Jashim Uddin, Bangladesh Ambassador to China, is going to be the next Foreign Secretary. Masud joined as Foreign Secretary on December 31, 2019. As a career diplomat, he has long been serving in different capacities at the MoFA headquarters and Bangladesh missions abroad. Prior to his appointment as the Foreign Secretary, he had been Bangladesh’s Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the United Nations since 2015. Before that, he served as Bangladesh’s Ambassador to Japan from 2012 to 2015. He also served as Ambassador to Italy and as Permanent Representative to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), World Food Programme (WFP) and International Fund for Agricultural Development from 2008 to 2012. Masud served at the MoFA Headquarters in different capacities. From 2006 to 2008, he was the Director-General at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Dhaka and was responsible for matters related to South Asia, the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC), Non-Aligned Movement (NAM), ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF), Human Rights and the United Nations.

The European Union (EU) can help the Bangladeshi people consolidate the human rights gains they have fought so hard for, and lay the foundations for further progress and reforms in the future, said the Human Rights Watch (HRW). “The Bangladeshi people have shown enormous courage over the past few months, paying a very high price to secure an opportunity for democratic transition and progress on human rights,” said Associate Director (EU Advocacy) Claudio Francavilla. In an article published by New York-based rights body on Monday, he said the European Union should stand by their side and take concrete actions to support them. Claudio said the authoritarian rule of Sheikh Hasina’s government ended when she resigned and left the country, following weeks of protest. Hundreds were killed and thousands more injured, in what were among the deadliest crackdowns on protests in Bangladesh’s recent history, he said. Nobel Laureate Prof Muhammad Yunus, the head of the interim government, took some positive steps and has committed to enacting reforms and ensuring justice for the abuses. “But his ability to deliver on those pledges will rely on support from Bangladesh’s international partners.” Bangladesh is the main beneficiary of the EU’s Everything But Arms (EBA) scheme, enjoying lucrative tariff-free exports to the EU conditioned on respect for human rights and good governance. Claudio said Hasina’s intensifying authoritarianism was in clear breach of those conditions, including the most recent deadly repression, the violent crackdown ahead of the controversial January elections, and other abuses. Yet those responsible faced no consequences. “To support Bangladesh’s transition, the EU should take a different approach,” he said. As a first step, Claudio said, it should back action at the upcoming session of the UN Human Rights Council to investigate and pursue accountability for recent grave abuses, and secure UN monitoring and reporting on the situation in the country. Secondly, he said, the EU should urge Bangladesh authorities to disband the notorious Rapid Action Battalion (RAB), a security force responsible for extrajudicial killings and enforced disappearances, which was also among the forces deployed during the recent brutal crackdown on protests. “That call should be accompanied by the adoption of EU targeted sanctions against the RAB, which has been under US sanctions since 2021,” Claudio said. Finally, he said, the EU should, in the context of EBA negotiations, agree with Bangladeshi authorities’ public benchmarks for the protection of human rights, including the release of all those unjustly jailed and disappeared, security sector reform and accountability, and other reforms to strengthen independent institutions and respect for human rights.

Indian Visa Application Centres (IVACs) at five locations – namely Dhaka, Chattogram, Rajshahi, Sylhet and Khulna – have started offering limited appointment slots for Bangladesh nationals requiring urgent medical and student visas. In addition, these five IVAC centres have also opened limited appointment slots for urgent cases where Bangladesh students and workers need to travel to third countries and for which they already have visa appointments with foreign embassies in India. These services will remain limited in nature until IVAC resumes its normal operations at a later date, according to the IVAC.

U.S. Embassy Charge d'Affaires (Cd’A) Helen LaFave on Monday met Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus and discussed issues of mutual interest. Principal Coordinator on SDGs affairs at the Chief Adviser's office Lamiya Morshed, among others, was present at the meeting held at state guesthouse Jamuna. Over the past weeks, U.S. Embassy Dhaka has been engaging with Bangladesh’s interim government. On August 14, U.S. Embassy Charge d'Affaires (Cd’A) Helen LaFave met with the new Foreign Affairs Adviser, Md Touhid Hossain, and on August 18, with Chief Advisor Professor Muhammad Yunus at the Diplomatic Corps "Meet and Greet" programme. On August 25, she met with Finance Adviser Dr. Salehuddin Ahmed to discuss U.S. investment in Bangladesh, including in agriculture, energy, technology, and climate. At the meeting, Cd’A LaFave expressed condolences to those impacted by the recent deadly floods.

India has rejected reports published by some media outlets on visa ban for six Bangladeshi student leaders, and described those as “fake news.” “These are fake news,” a source at India’s Ministry of External Affairs said. A source at the Indian High Commission in Dhaka said that no such decision was taken. Reports published by some media outlets have claimed that India has imposed a visa ban on six Bangladeshi student leaders. The reports claimed that the decision was taken on allegations of “inciting anti-India mobs” and engaging in activities which went against India’s national interest.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Sunday bid farewell to Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen, though his contractual appointment was scheduled to end in December this year. Foreign Affairs Adviser Md Touhid Hossan and senior officials of the ministry were present at the ceremony. Masud Momen will be on the post retirement leave (PRL) from Monday for one year. Conflicting parties taking advantage of geopolitical rivalries: Masud Bin Momen at MSc '24 The previous government extended the tenure of Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen by two more years under a contractual appointment effective from December 6, 2022 or from the date of his joining. The Public Administration Ministry is likely to issue a gazette notification tonight or Monday, a foreign ministry source told UNB. On August 20, UNB reported that Md. Jashim Uddin, Bangladesh Ambassador to China, is going to be the next Foreign Secretary. Masud joined as Foreign Secretary on December 31, 2019. As a career diplomat, he has long been serving in different capacities at the MoFA headquarters and Bangladesh missions abroad. US Ambassador Peter Haas holding meeting with Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen Prior to his appointment as the Foreign Secretary, he had been Bangladesh’s Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the United Nations since 2015. Before that, he served as Bangladesh’s Ambassador to Japan from 2012 to 2015. He also served as Ambassador to Italy and as Permanent Representative to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), World Food Programme (WFP) and International Fund for Agricultural Development from 2008 to 2012. US Ambassador-at-Large for International Religious Freedom meets Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen in New York Masud served at the MoFA Headquarters in different capacities. From 2006 to 2008, he was the Director-General at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Dhaka and was responsible for matters related to South Asia, the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC), Non-Aligned Movement (NAM), ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF), Human Rights and the United Nations.

Foreign Affairs Adviser Md Touhid Hossain on Sunday reiterated that the government will definitely try to bring back ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina from India if the legal system wants. Murder case filed against Hasina, Quader in Kishoreganj “It is better not to speculate. There are legal processes. If our legal system wants, we will definitely try (to bring her back),” he told reporters at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Asked about the current status of Sheikh Hasina in India, the Foreign Affairs Adviser said it would be better to ask India about it. After the interim government revoked all diplomatic passports, questions have now arisen as to how long Sheikh Hasina can stay in India and whether she will face a possible extradition. The approval for former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to go to India was granted at short notice, according to the Indian Ministry of External Affairs. Complaint lodged against 53 including Hasina, 28 journalists for inciting genocide Adviser Hossain said it is up to India whether they will hand her over or not, but noted that there is an agreement. He said if a question comes from a legal process and if the laws and court tell them, they can seek her back. Among the SAARC member countries, India has extradition treaties with Nepal, Bhutan and Bangladesh. India has an extradition arrangement with Sri Lanka. On 28 July 2016, Bangladesh and India signed an agreement to amend Article 10 (3) of the bilateral Extradition Treaty to facilitate expeditious extradition of fugitive criminals between the two countries. Sheikh Hasina is facing a number of cases including over murders since the formation of an interim government on August 8 after her resignation on August 5. Hasina, 155 others sued in 3 murder cases On signed MoUs with India, including the MoU on the railway sector, the Foreign Affairs Adviser said that MoUs are not legally binding, and there are always scopes for reviewing to ensure interests. He said MoUs are not agreements and they can see whether Bangladesh’s interests are protected.

Foreign Affairs Adviser Md Touhid Hossain on Sunday confirmed that Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus will attend the 79th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) this month, but his stay would be brief. While talking to reporters at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Hossain also said he would have a discussion with the Chief Adviser regarding his engagement in the UNGA. He, however, said the date of Chief Adviser’s departure is not finalised yet. The Foreign Affairs Adviser also said there might be some meetings on the sidelines, but due to his limited stay in New York, the scope will also be limited. Regarding bringing back former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to Bangladesh, the Adviser reiterated that they will work towards this if the legal process demands. On signed MoUs with India, including the MoU on the railway sector, the Foreign Affairs Adviser said that MoUs are not legally binding, and there are always scopes for reviewing to ensure interests. Asked about the status of Sheikh Hasina in India, the Foreign Adviser suggested journalists to ask India. Speaking on the Chief Adviser’s participation at the 79th UNGA, South Asian affairs expert Michael Kugelman earlier said it will be a big opportunity for him to share his government’s economic plans, including what areas specifically the international community can be helpful in strengthening and stabilizing Bangladesh’s economy. “And if he does, he would be speaking in New York on the biggest global platform since he took over the role of adviser leading the interim government,” Kugelman, Director of the South Asia Institute at Wilson Center in Washington, D.C. said in a webinar hosted by Right to Freedom - R2F. Kugelman said there are several things that Prof Yunus could do, several things that he could say. “I think that above all he should lay out a vision for governance, the goals of the interim government, his plans for reforms and his efforts to push for the restoration of democracy.”