United News of Bangladesh

Noting expressed concerns in Bangladesh regarding flood situation, India has explained the reasons behind the flood and claimed that what is said in Bangladesh is not factually correct.  "We have seen concerns being expressed in Bangladesh that the current situation of flood in districts on the eastern borders of Bangladesh has been caused by opening of the Dumbur dam upstream of the Gumti River in Tripura. This is factually not correct," said the Indian Ministry of External Affairs on Thursday. Floods on the common rivers between India and Bangladesh are a shared problem inflicting sufferings to people on both sides, and requires close mutual cooperation towards resolving them, said the Indian side. India pointed out that the catchment areas of Gumti river that flows through India and Bangladesh have witnessed heaviest rains of this year over the last few days. "The flood in Bangladesh is primarily due to waters from these large catchments downstream of the dam," MEA said in a statement on flood situation. As two countries sharing 54 common cross-border rivers, river water cooperation is an important part of bilateral engagement, India said.  "We remain committed to resolving issues and mutual concerns in water resources and river water management through bilateral consultations and technical discussions," according to MEA. The Dumbur dam is located quite far from the border - over 120 Km upstream of Bangladesh. It is a low height (about 30m) dam that generates power that feeds into a grid and from which Bangladesh also draws 40MW power from Tripura. Along the about 120 Km river course we have three water level observation sites at Amarpur, Sonamura and Sonamura 2, said MEA. Heavy rainfall has been continuing since 21 August in the whole of Tripura and adjoining districts of Bangladesh.  "In the event of heavy inflow, automatic releases have been observed," MEA said. Amarpur station is in part of a bilateral protocol under which "we are transmitting realtime flood data to Bangladesh." Data showing rising trend has been supplied to Bangladesh upto 1500 hrs on 21 August 2024.  At 1800 hrs, due to flooding, there was power outage leading to problems of communication.  "Still, we have tried to maintain communication through other means created for urgent transmission of data," said the MEA. Meanwhile, Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Pranay Verma will meet Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus this afternoon as scheduled before. The flood situation is likely to be discussed in the courtesy meeting.

The United Nations is dispatching a fact-finding team to Dhaka on Thursday (tomorrow) as part of its investigation into the killings that occurred during the student revolution in July and early August. The team is expected to meet with several government advisers and civil society members during their visit to gather information. The move was announced by UN human rights chief Volker Turk during a recent call with Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus. The government has expressed its readiness to cooperate with the UN team to ensure a fair and impartial investigation. On Thursday, UN Resident Coordinator in Dhaka, Gwyn Lewis, met with Foreign Affairs Adviser Md Touhid Hossain to discuss the mission. She mentioned that the team will include technical experts who will begin the initial fact-finding process. "The mandate, details, and how the team will collaborate with the government are still to be agreed upon," Lewis told reporters after the meeting at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.  

JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF) has condemned the widespread vandalism, destruction, and desecration of cultural and historical monuments across Bangladesh following the fall of the Sheikh Hasina government on August 5, 2024. JMBF urged the interim government and the international community to take decisive action to ensure that justice is served and that the national heritage is restored and protected for future generations. “These horrific acts of vandalism, which targeted approximately 1,500 sculptures, murals, and monuments—including those dedicated to the Father of the Nation, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, and other symbols of our liberation struggle—represent a direct assault on our cultural heritage, history, and national identity,” said the human rights organization registered in France. JMBF, a human rights body, said they were deeply appalled by the destruction of iconic works such as the Venus statue in Mymensingh, the Themis statue at the Supreme Court, and the Duranto sculpture at the Shishu Academy, among many others. These acts of violence have not only obliterated invaluable pieces of art and history but have also inflicted deep psychological wounds on the collective consciousness of the Bangladeshi people, it said on Wednesday. Robert Simon, human rights activist and Chief Adviser of JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF), emphasized, "Cultural and historical monuments are the pillars of national identity. Their destruction is a crime not just against Bangladesh, but against humanity. The Interim Government must work together, under the guidance of UNESCO and other international bodies, to restore what has been lost and to safeguard Bangladeshi heritage for future generations." Advocate Shahanur Islam, Bangladeshi human rights lawyer and Founder President of JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF), stated, "The destruction of cultural and historical heritage is an assault on the soul of the Bengali nation. We must hold the perpetrators accountable and restore the monuments that tell the story of our freedom and identity." JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF) urgently called on the interim government led by Prof. Mohammad Younus for a swift, impartial, and thorough investigation into these heinous acts of cultural vandalism. JMBF demanded that those responsible for these crimes be brought to justice and given exemplary punishment through a credible and transparent investigation and trial process with cooperation from international bodies, particularly the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), to oversee the investigation and prosecution of these crimes. JMBF also called on the interim government of Bangladesh to immediately take steps to restore the destroyed monuments, sculptures, murals, and other cultural artefacts.

Bangladesh has decided to sign the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance soon. The issue has been discussed in the meeting of the Advisory Council of the interim government. The signing may take place before August 30, Chief Adviser's press secretary Shafiqul Alam told reporters on Wednesday evening at Foreign Service Academy. He said the interim government is committed to investigate each and every case of enforced disappearances. There is a discussion to form a commission to look into the cases of disappearances, he said, adding that there is similar Commission in Sri Lanka which they will look into. The International Day of the Victims of Enforced Disappearances falls on August 30. Enforced disappearance has frequently been used as a strategy to spread terror within the society. The United Nations Working Group on Enforced or Involuntary Disappearances has published records of more than 59,000 cases of “enforced disappearances” across 110 countries since 1980. The list includes countries who claim themselves to be the torchbearers of human rights. Alam referred to human rights body Odhikar which has earlier “documented enforced disappearances and extrajudicial killings and cooperated with UN human rights mechanisms in this context. Alam said a National Security Adviser will be appointed within a few days. There is a discussion to form a commission to look into the cases of disappearances. The press secretary was briefing the reporters at the Foreign Service Academy. Alam said the government also wants to bring back laundered money, including from the UK. Interim Government Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus sought support from British High Commissioner Sarah Cooke's support in this regard. The High Commissioner assured him of looking into it. Earlier, the British High Commissioner and Japanese Ambassador to Iwama Kiminori separately met the Chief Adviser. Adviser Ali Imam Majumder, Principal Coordinator for Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Lamiya Morshed and Chief Adviser’s press secretary Shafiqul Alam, were, among others, present. Prof Yunus sought Japan's financial support to rebuild Bangladesh. He conveyed to both the envoys that Bangladesh is a big family and there is no enmity, and laid emphasis on greater harmony in the country. Both the envoys conveyed to the Chief Adviser that they stand ready to support the interim government. Chief Adviser's Deputy Press Secretary Apurba Jahangir was also present at the media briefing.

Interim government Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus has sought support from the British government through its envoy in Dhaka to track and get back the money laundered to the UK allegedly by the people linked to the Sheikh Hasina-led previous government. “Huge people from the previous regime laundered money. Prof Yunus sought support to track those incidents and bring back the laundered money,” Chief Adviser’s press secretary Shafiqul Alam told reporters on Wednesday referring to Prof Yunus’ discussion with British High Commissioner to Bangladesh Sarah Cooke. Alam said some of them owned houses in the UK and the questions are how this money went there. Regarding works ahead to rebuild Bangladesh, Prof Yunus told the British High Commissioner that they have no option but to succeed. Both sides acknowledged the deep relations between the two countries and the role of British Bangladeshis. The UK is a longstanding partner and friend of Bangladesh and the two countries share a strong and enduring relationship, solidified by their deep people-to-people links and shared Commonwealth values. The UK government earlier welcomed the appointment of the interim government in Bangladesh, led by Professor Yunus. In the meeting, the High Commissioner and Chief Adviser discussed the breadth and depth of the Bangladesh-UK relationship. They discussed how the UK government can support the interim government, as it charts a new inclusive and democratic future for Bangladesh. Discussions also covered the importance of youth engagement to navigate the challenges that lie ahead. British High Commissioner Sarah Cooke said as Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer wrote in his letter to Chief Adviser, the UK government warmly welcomes the appointment of Prof Yunus and the interim government. “The interim government has the UK’s full support as it works to restore peace and order, ensure accountability and promote national reconciliation. We look forward to working with Professor Yunus and the interim government as they chart a peaceful transition to an inclusive, prosperous and democratic future for Bangladesh.”

Interim government Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus on Wednesday sought Japan’s financial assistance to reconstruct and rebuild the country from its “broken” condition.     Prof Yunus mentioned huge funding that will be required and sought support from Japan, said Chief Adviser’s press secretary Shafiqul Alam. Japanese Ambassador to Bangladesh Iwama Kiminori paid a courtesy call on Chief Adviser Prof Yunus and hoped that Bangladesh will be rebuilt under the leadership of Prof Yunus.    Chief Adviser Prof Yunus expressed his gratitude for Japan’s continuous support and expressed his desire to bring Japan-Bangladesh relations to their ‘peak’. Both sides concurred that they would closely work together to make it happen. Ambassador Iwama congratulated Prof Yunus’ assumption as the Chief Advisor, paying tribute to his taking charge of crucial tasks of rebuilding the country at its most difficult time. Ambassador Iwama conveyed Japan’s intention to continue supporting Bangladesh's development and prosperity under the “Strategic Partnership” enshrined between the two countries, while standing by the interim government led by Prof Yunus. The envoy stressed the importance of establishing peace and stability in the country and the region including sustainable response to Rohingya refugees, advancing economic and business cooperation, and boosting people-to -people exchange. He expressed Japan’s readiness to work together in these areas. Adviser Ali Imam Majumder, Principal Coordinator for Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Lamiya Morshed and Chief Adviser’s press secretary Shafiqul Alam, were, among others, present.

Extending his government’s full support, President of France Emmanuel Macron has said France looks forward to working with Bangladesh interim government Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus and his teams to strengthen the bilateral relationship. Extending his sincere congratulations to Prof Yunus on his appointment as Chief Adviser to the interim government of Bangladesh, the French President said, “In this complex period that your country is going through, please know that you can count on the full support of France.”  President Macron wished Prof Yunus every success in meeting the challenges awaiting him.  The Chief Adviser’s press wing shared the letter on Wednesday.  The French President hoped that the joint work aimed at continuously strengthening the bilateral relationship can continue, on essential subjects such as respect for human rights and minorities, adaptation to climate change, and the fight against poverty.  “As Bangladesh now enters a period of transition, the interim government you lead will have the important task of preparing the ground for democratic elections and ensuring that a return to calm and national reconciliation can be achieved,” said the French President in a letter to Prof Yunus.  “As such, I welcome the messages you have already sent in this regard,” he said. 

The United States has said they will look forward to working to support their shared values and interests, such as a free and open Indo-Pacific.  "We do have a defense relationship with Bangladesh," Pentagon Press Secretary Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder said while responding to a question during a press briefing recently.  The Press Secretary, however, said he does not have anything to read out right now in terms of any types of contact. "As it relates to the Bangladesh government, of course, you know, we would expect human rights to be observed and there to be an avoidance of any type of violence," Ryder said.

The United Nations has reiterated its call for accountability for the recent violence, loss of life and human rights violations in Bangladesh.   "We've been speaking about accountability since the beginning of this particular crisis," said Spokesperson for the UN Secretary-General Stéphane Dujarric at a regular briefing in New York on August 20. "There will need to be accountability for the violence, for the loss of life, and for all violations of human and political rights," he said while responding to a question from Mushfiqul Fazal Ansarey.  The Spokesperson said UN chieg Antonio Guterres has written a congratulatory letter to Bangladesh interim government Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus. In the letter, the Secretary-General welcomed efforts to restore calm and organize parliamentary elections in Bangladesh. The Secretary-General said that it is his hope that Prof Yunus’ government will take an inclusive approach, including by considering the voices of young people as well as women, also those of minority and indigenous communities. Guterres added that he counts on the interim government of Bangladesh to ensure the full protection of all citizens and, in particular, of minorities. The Secretary-General has also strongly urged Prof Yunus to ensure the well-being of the Rohingya refugees, especially in view of the deteriorating situation in Myanmar.    

Interim Government Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus is likely to attend the BIMSTEC Summit to be held in Bangkok, Thailand in September first week. This is going to be his first foreign tour as head of the interim government. Prof Yunus will deliver his speech at the Summit on September 4, an official at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said. Thailand will host the next Summit of the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC). Bangladesh will take responsibility as the next chair of BIMSTEC there. As per the draft schedule, the Chief Adviser will leave Dhaka for Bangkok on September 3 and will return home on September 5. He is likely to hold a number of bilateral meetings on the sidelines of the Summit, including a meeting with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The 2nd BIMSTEC Foreign Ministers' Retreat was held in New Delhi on July 11-12 and saw the participation of Foreign/External Affairs Ministers from all member states, with the exception of Nepal, which was represented by its Foreign Secretary. Secretary General of the BIMSTEC Indra Mani Pandey has recently said the next Summit will have some significant outcomes and it will set a direction for the future of the BIMSTEC. The BIMSTEC Secretary General hoped the upcoming Summit would add new vigour to regional cooperation within BIMSTEC. "I believe BIMSTEC has a bright future. All the members are truly committed to make sure BIMSTEC becomes a success story," he said while making a presentation on BIMSTEC activities at its headquarters in Dhaka recently. The Summit will adopt a Bangkok Vision 2030 which would be an overarching kind of document and give direction to the organisation, he said, adding that it would be one of the significant outcomes. The Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC), brings together seven countries in South and Southeast Asia for multifaceted cooperation.