United News of Bangladesh

The government has appointed Seheli Sabrin, Director General (public diplomacy wing) at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, as Consul General of Bangladesh Consulate in Florida, USA. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a notification on Thursday regarding her new role. She is also serving as spokesperson at the MoFA. The transfer order will be effective from the date of her joining at the Mission.   She joined the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on July 2, 2005 as a member of 24th BCS (Foreign Affairs). Seheli served as First Secretary at Bangladesh High Commission in Canberra, 2012-2014 and as Counsellor at Bangladesh Embassy in Jakarta, 2014-2017. She also served as Director General (Consular & Welfare) from 2021 to 2022.

The United States wants Bangladesh to become a “net security provider” in the region in a “responsible way”, and wants Bangladesh to be able to respond to natural disasters and other issues positively with its growing capabilities. “Bangladesh has made a lot of progress over the years, and we are proud to be part of that effort. We would hope that the Bangladesh government sees the Indo Pacific Strategy (IPS) as an opportunity to cooperate with us and our partners to help address some of Bangladesh's security concerns,” said Maxwell Martin, an IPS expert at the US Embassy in Dhaka, on Thursday. While briefing a select group of journalists at the embassy on “Indo-Pacific Strategy (IPS) and its implications for Bangladesh”, he said Bangladesh-US cooperation to promote a free and open Indo-Pacific is just one aspect of their wide-ranging bilateral relationship. “The US-Bangladesh relationship is driven by our nations’ shared history, common values, and future potential. It is not defined by India, China, Russia or any third country,” Martin said. Responding to a question, he said, they look at their relationship with countries in the South Asia region and Indo Pacific in general, on a bilateral basis. Bangladesh criticises US Human Rights Report for systematic use of ‘unfounded’ allegations “We don't look at our relationship with other countries through the lens of another country. This is something that we hear sometimes in Bangladesh, in the media and kind of just in the commentary, that the United States looks at Bangladesh through the lens of India. And I don't think that's true,” said the IPS expert. He said they look at their relationship with Bangladesh in terms of a set of shared interests and bilateral priorities.

Bangladesh has criticised the recently released US State Department’s 2023 Human Rights Report, noting that the report “fails to appreciate, rather undermines” a number of valued State institutions, including the independent judiciary and certain statutory bodies, which is detrimental to the morale and functioning of such institutions. “Regrettably, many of the improvements and achievements of the government have not been acknowledged in the report. On the other hand, isolated and unfounded allegations continue to be flagged as part of a systematic trend,” Spokesperson at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Seheli Sabrin, told reporters on Thursday. While briefing reporters, she said a thorough reading of the report would make it evident that it is replete with references to individually reported or alleged incidents that were used to draw broad, generalised inferences. The government of Bangladesh reiterated its concerns about the continued trampling of human rights in Gaza by the Israeli occupation force and hopes that the US will play a leadership role in the ongoing efforts of the international community to stop serious human rights violations, killing of innocent women and children, and crimes against humanity in Palestine. One of the grossly missing items in the report is the systematic campaign launched last year by the anti-state and anti-government elements in the lead up to the 12th National Election in order to create unrest, violence and anarchy under different pretexts and using diverse interest groups, said the foreign ministry spokesperson. Sabrin said it is also apparent that the report mostly relies on assumptions and unsubstantiated allegations drawn from local and international non-government organisations (including anonymous sources), many of which are supported by the US government or related entities. “As such, some of the inherent biases in the reporting pattern are quite evident,” she said The government of Bangladesh, however, appreciated the continued interest of the US administration in the Human Rights situation across the globe. “No matter how much we aspire, the human rights situation is not perfect anywhere in the world. Though human rights are non-hierarchical, fulfillment of them can be incremental as socio-economic constraints often put limits to the pace of realising those rights,” said the spokesperson. She said the government of Bangladesh has been doing its best to uphold human rights of its citizens. “Indeed, under the leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, the human rights situation has significantly improved in Bangladesh.” Mindful of the areas that need further improvement, the current government, during its consecutive terms in office since 2009, continued to invest in realising meaningful advancement in the human rights situation. “Any discerning observer would notice that such efforts resulted in significant improvement in women’s empowerment, gender parity, children’s rights, rights of elderly persons, workers’ rights, grievance redressal, access to justice, religious freedom, freedom of speech, freedom of association, freedom of assembly and so on and so forth,” the spokesperson observed. While the report alleges the law enforcement for use of excessive force in some cases, it fails to reflect the violence and vandalism perpetrated by BNP and its political allies, which often disrupted lives of general people and resulted in damage of public and private property. “It is ironic that when the State was engaged in protecting public life, order and property against such orchestrated campaign, it has been held responsible in the report for even taking recourse to some lawful actions and remedies,” she said. The spokesperson said it must be registered that the law enforcement agencies of Bangladesh exercised utmost restraints and dealt with any law-and-order situation with full professionalism. “Coupled with government’s sincere support and professional conduct of elections by the Election Commission, 28 of 44 registered parties participated in the 12th National Election with 42% people exercising their voting rights despite boycotts from BNP and some other parties,” she said. It is unfortunate that despite having a series of dialogues with the US authorities on human rights and labour rights issues, a number of recurrent complaints or allegations have been flagged in the report discounting the state/ government perspective on those matters, Seheli Sabrin said. For instance, she said, the Rohingya people continue to be termed as ‘refugees’ or ‘stateless persons’, thus undermining their legitimate claims to be recognised as the citizens or residents of Myanmar. In another instance, certain ethnic minority groups continue to be labelled as ‘indigenous peoples’ contrary to the constitutional provisions of the country, which often amounts to attempts to incite unwarranted tension and divisions, she said. Again, in certain cases, the report tends to omit or neglect substantive evidence or information shared with the US authorities on individual cases. For instance, in the alleged killing of Messers Shaheen Miah and Mohammad Raju, information had been shared on the judicial proceedings that found the incidents to be within the purview of law. Yet again, she said, the judicial processes undertaken in the case of Jesmin Sultana were not adequately reflected in the report, especially the issue of ongoing due process. “Along similar lines, a number of cases have been flagged in the report concerning labour rights issues, especially on trade union registration and activities, that have been discussed with the relevant US officials on a number of bilateral or plurilateral platforms,” said the spokesperson. As usual, she said, the report wrongfully characterises lawful actions taken by the law enforcement authorities in case of unwarranted obstructions or vandalism carried out in the name of workers against factories, establishments, public properties, or management staff. The report continues to maintain the trend of projecting incidents committed by private individuals or entities as part of systemic abuse of human rights, without often elaborating on the subsequent administrative and judicial measures taken to ensure redress and accountability, she noted. In general, the government of Bangladesh takes note of the overall report and looks forward to remaining engaged with the UN Human Rights mechanisms, the US and other international partners, and stakeholders towards upholding its commitment to ensure the full enjoyment of human rights by all citizens under any circumstances.

One hundred and seventy-three Bangladeshi nationals who were imprisoned in Rakhine, Myanmar, and whose citizenship were verified, returned to Bangladesh from Myanmar by sea on Wednesday. In addition, the repatriation of 288 Myanmar BGP, army members , immigration officials and others who have taken shelter in Bangladesh in the context of the ongoing internal conflict in Myanmar will be completed on April 25 and 26, according to a press release. The repatriation process of the Myanmar nationals has been organised at BIWTA Ghat in Cox's Bazar. Myanmar ship Chin Duin carrying the returning Bangladeshi citizens has arrived in Bangladesh and will leave Bangladesh carrying the Myanmar’s BGP, military and others. MP of Cox's Bazar Sadar Shaimum Sarwar Kamal was present at the Jetty Ghat to welcome the returning Bangladeshi citizens. Out of the 173 people, 129 are from Cox's Bazar, 30 are from Bandarban, seven are from Rangamati, one each from Khagrachari, Noakhali, Narayanganj, Chattogram, Rajbari, Narshingdi and Nilphamari. The Bangladesh embassy in Yangon, upon learning of the tentative visit of the Myanmar ship to Bangladesh, took up the issue with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Ministry of Home Affairs of Bangladesh and relevant Myanmar authorities to seize the opportunity to send back the maximum number of verified Bangladeshi Nationals who were in different prisons of Myanmar. The embassy also pursued the relevant host authorities to bring the 144 "verified and jail term completed or pardoned" returnees in Sittwe prison for smooth return and pursued for releasing the 29 verified Bangladeshi nationals who were still serving their jail terms or under trial. Pursuant to the mission's efforts, the 29 persons were pardoned and sent back to Bangladesh. Bangladesh embassy in Yangon and Bangladesh consulate in Sittwe have been working for this return since the last return of Bangladeshi citizens that took place on October 3 last year when 29 Bangladeshis returned home through a flag meeting. Representatives of the Bangladesh embassy in Yangon and consulate in Sittwe were physically present to coordinate with the local authorities, conduct verification process and issue travel permits in favour of the returnees. The necessary activities for the arrival of Bangladeshi citizens by ship, including immigration, health checks and other related activities, and for the dispatch of Myanmar military and other members havebeen carried out with the assistance of the Ministry of Home Affairs, BGB, Coast Guard, district administration, district police,civil surgeon and other authorities. After completing the necessary formalities, the Bangladeshi citizens will be handed over to their relatives.

The United Kingdom (UK) has expressed its keen interest in collaborating with Bangladesh to develop the country's aviation industry. This was conveyed by UK High Commissioner to Bangladesh Sarah Cooke during a meeting with Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister Mohammad Faruk Khan at his residence on Wednesday. The High Commissioner said that the UK has a long-standing partnership with Bangladesh's aviation industry. She mentioned that the two countries have previously worked together in various sectors of the aviation industry, including the development of airport security systems. Supply Chain Law: EU Council vote still needed Cooke said the UK is now eager to expand cooperation in a wider range of potential new areas, including the development of technical skills in Bangladesh's aviation industry, the training of skilled personnel, and the further enhancement of security measures. The UK is committed to playing a supportive role in transforming Bangladesh into an aviation hub. In response, the minister welcomed the UK's friendly cooperation in successfully transforming Bangladesh into an aviation hub. He expressed his delight at the prospect of the two countries working together to develop the aviation industry. He added that the scope for collaboration between the two countries in various areas of the aviation industry will be explored. Faruk Khan further stated that the government, under the leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, is working to transform Bangladesh into a major aviation hub. He mentioned that extensive development work has been carried out at all airports in the country, including the construction of a third terminal at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport, and that further development work is underway. Japanese envoy visits Japan-funded UNFPA project sites in Noakhali He also mentioned that the government is working to transform Syedpur Airport into a regional hub. Once the development work at Saidpur Airport is completed, it will play a game-changing role in regional connectivity, economy, and trade between Bangladesh, Nepal, India, and Bhutan.

The European Parliament voted on Wednesday to approve the proposed European law to require large companies to prevent and remedy human rights and environmental abuses in their global supply chains as a step forward for corporate accountability, Human Rights Watch said on Wednesday. Following the European Parliament’s vote, the law now needs final approval by ministers of EU member states. The EU ministerial vote is expected to take place in late May, according to the HRW. The proposed EU Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD) seeks to introduce legal obligations for large corporations to conduct human rights and environmental due diligence in their global supply chains. UNOPS signs MoU with Bangladesh to strengthen collaboration on disaster risk reduction The Parliament’s vote in Strasbourg was on the 11th anniversary of the tragic collapse on April 24, 2013, of the Rana Plaza building in Bangladesh, which killed 1,138 garment workers and injured over 2,000 others. The proposed law requires large companies to conduct human rights and environmental due diligence in their own operations and in their global value chains. It considers large companies to be those with more than 1,000 employees on average and more than €450 million in net worldwide in the previous financial year. It empowers regulators to take action against companies failing to conduct such due diligence and, in some situations, allows the victims of corporate abuses to approach European courts to seek justice. “The 11th anniversary of the Rana Plaza disaster is a somber reminder of why a due diligence law is long overdue,” said Aruna Kashyap, associate director on corporate accountability at Human Rights Watch. “The European Parliament’s vote sends a strong message that the EU should no longer let large corporations get away with human rights and environmental abuses.” The Rana Plaza disaster, alongside a range of other corporate abuses of human rights, labor rights, and environmental standards in global supply chains, have prompted rights groups, trade unions, and even some businesses to call for binding legislation to hold corporations accountable for abuses in their global supply chains. Rights groups and social movements from around the world have campaigned for the European Union to adopt such legislation.These efforts have been critical to push back against corporate lobbying seeking to derail the proposed law. The legislative process, which began in 2020, has been protracted and difficult, Human Rights Watch said.The governments of France, Italy, and Germany vastly curtailed the scope of the legislation, limiting its application to very large corporations, excluding certain sectors, and extending the time it would take before the directive comes into force. UNICEF urges parents to be extra vigilant in keeping their children hydrated, safe On March 15, a majority of ambassadors of EU member states approved the draft law, but only after significantly weakening a text that had been previously approved. On March 18, the European Parliament’s Legal Affairs Committee approved the text.“The European Commission pledged to adopt a law to hold corporations accountable when they took office five years ago,” said Kashyap. “Ministers from EU member states should give a final nod to the text and pave the way for a new chapter on corporate accountability in global supply chains.”  

The Department of Disaster Management (DDM) and the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to strengthen collaboration on disaster risk reduction initiatives in Bangladesh. The MOU was signed on Wednesday by Md Mijanur Rahman, Director-General of the Department of Disaster Management (DDM) under under the Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief and Sudhir Muralidharan, Country Manager of UNOPS Bangladesh in the presence of the representatives from DDM and UNOPS. The DG of the Disaster Management Department presided over the ceremony, emphasizing the shared commitment to achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and fostering an empowered and Smart Bangladesh. Environment Minister calls for unified action to safeguard Ganges River dolphin With its infrastructure and procurement expertise, UNOPS will support DDM in rehabilitating critical infrastructure, providing emergency supplies and establishing robust field operations. Additionally, specialized assistance will be extended in areas such as gender integration, stakeholder engagement and human-centered design. Mijanur Rahman emphasized that this partnership, which aligns with Bangladesh's goal of reducing disaster risks, comes at a crucial time. “With Bangladesh being one of the most disaster-prone countries in the world, experiencing an average of 7-10 tropical cyclones annually, and with over 60% of its land vulnerable to flooding, the collaboration with UNOPS is essential. This collaboration will enhance institutional capacity, implement innovative solutions, and facilitate knowledge sharing, fortifying Bangladesh's resilience against disasters and safeguarding vulnerable communities. Together, we can create a safer and more resilient future for all.” Sudhir Muralidharan expressed optimism about the partnership, stating, “Today marks a significant milestone in our joint efforts to build resilience and strengthen disaster preparedness in Bangladesh. "This MOU between UNOPS and the Department of Disaster Management reflects our shared commitment to safeguarding communities across the country from the increasing impacts of climate change and natural hazards.” "Through this partnership, we aim to leverage UNOPS' expertise in infrastructure, procurement and project management to support the Department in developing resilient infrastructure, fortifying emergency response capacities and rolling out innovative technologies. Our complementary strengths can pave the way for a more proactive, coordinated and holistic approach to disaster management.” The MoU establishes a framework of cooperation and collaboration between UNOPS and DDM in various areas of common interest. Bangladesh pledges to create a resilient world for all: Saber Areas of Cooperation: The cooperation aims to develop and implement plans aligning with government DRR policies, priorities and the Sendai Framework for DRR, enhance institutional capacity for disaster preparedness, coordinate efforts for pre and post-disaster situations, craft guidelines in line with international standards, explore innovative DRR solutions, and foster knowledge sharing to implement best practices, ensuring comprehensive disaster resilience in Bangladesh. The partnership upholds the core principles of the Sendai Framework, prioritizing localized, inclusive and whole-of-society approaches to reduce disaster risks, minimize losses and safeguard human well-being. By uniting DDM's mandate and UNOPS' technical strengths, the collaboration will ensure Bangladesh is well-equipped to anticipate, respond to, and recover effectively from cyclones, floods, and other hazards exacerbated by climate change. This strategic alliance represents a significant milestone in fostering a partnership that aligns with the global 2030 agenda for sustainable development.

Japanese Ambassador to Bangladesh Iwama Kiminori has visited the Horni Union Health & Family Welfare Center, the women-led community center in Chanondi Union, and Islamganj Janata High School. He attended the inauguration of the renovated labor room and Rohingya refugee ward at the Noakhali district Sadar hospital. During the two-day visit (April 22-23), the ambassador also discussed with the Divisional Director of Health, the Deputy Commissioner, the Superintendent of Police, the Hospital Superintendent, the Deputy Director of Family Planning, UNFPA, and its NGO partners. Since the large influx of Rohingya refugees in Cox's Bazar in August 2017, Japan has contributed over USD 220 million to various interventions in Cox's Bazar as well as in Bhasan Char through international organizations and NGOs. UNICEF urges parents to be extra vigilant in keeping their children hydrated, safe These assistance included food assistance, healthcare, WASH, shelter, protection, and gender mainstreaming, said the Embassy of Japan on Wednesday. Witnessing the ongoing activities in the field, Ambassador Iwama said, “This is my first visit to the Noakhali dostrict, and I extend my appreciation to UNFPA for its unwavering commitment to promoting maternal health as well as addressing gender-based violence (GBV), in collaboration with the Government of Bangladesh and the people of Japan.” He said this is a unique contribution to bridging humanitarian assistance and development cooperation. “I hope this project will contribute to delivering a world where every pregnancy is wanted, every childbirth is safe, and every young person's potential is fulfilled”. “We are grateful to the Government and people of Japan for their generous support for the health, protection, and dignity of women, adolescent girls, and young people here in Noakhali,” said Masaki Watabe, Deputy Representative of UNFPA Bangladesh. “The Japanese timely support to the health facilities is vital for ensuring that Rohingya refugees hosted in Bhasan Char have full access to life-saving emergency obstetric care through referral systems. With the Japanese support, we are also promoting life skill education in schools that help prevent child marriage and ensuring that community-based survivor-centred GBV services are made available and accessible.” Qatari emir’s just-held visit to generate goodwill, understanding between 2 countries: Dhaka More than six years have already passed since the onset of the crisis, it is essential to keep the attention of the global community, while multiple emergencies have been taking place in different parts of the world. Japan will continue to work toward the resolution of the Rohingya issue.

UNICEF Representative in Bangladesh Sheldon Yett has said UNICEF remains deeply concerned about the health and safety of children across the country due to sweltering temperatures with an oppressive heatwave persisting throughout Bangladesh. “Look out for your neighbors: Vulnerable families, children with disabilities, pregnant women, and the elderly face a higher risk of illness or death during heatwaves. Take the time to check on your neighbors, especially those who live alone,” Yett said in a statement on Wednesday. According to UNICEF’s 2021 Children's Climate Risk Index (CCRI), children in Bangladesh are at 'extremely high risk' of the impacts of climate change. The unusual rise in temperatures poses grave risks, particularly to newborns, infants, and young children who are considered to be an especially vulnerable population to heat-related illnesses such as heat stroke and diarrhea caused by dehydration. Bangladesh pledges to create a resilient world for all: Saber “Moreover, as the Primary and Mass Education Ministry has ordered the closure of all government primary schools in the country till 27 April due to concerns with the impact of rising temperatures on children, UNICEF is urging parents to be extra vigilant in keeping their children hydrated and safe,” Yett said. The severity of this heatwave underscores the urgent need for action to protect children from the worsening impacts of climate change. With temperatures soaring to unprecedented levels, we must prioritize the well-being of children and the most vulnerable populations. To protect children from this heatwave, UNICEF urged frontline workers, parents, families, caregivers and local authorities to protect children and pregnant women by taking the following steps: Prevention: Wherever children are staying, create cooler places for children to sit or play. Avoid being outdoors during the hot midday and afternoon hours. Make sure that children wear light, breathable clothes, and drink plenty of water throughout the day. Climate change creates a ‘cocktail’ of serious health hazards for 70pc of the world’s workers: ILO report First aid: If a child or a pregnant woman shows symptoms of heat stress (eg dizziness, excessive sweating, nausea, mild fever, nosebleeds, muscle cramps, heath rashes in diaper area), place the person in a cool, shaded area with good ventilation and apply wet towels or cool water to the body. Administer water or Oral Rehydration Salt (ORS). Severe symptoms of heat stress (such as confusion or inability to respond, fainting, high body temperature, rapid heartbeat, seizures and loss of consciousness) require urgent hospital care.

Bangladesh and the United States Navies have started Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) Bangladesh commemorating the 30th year of the CARAT exercise series. CARAT Bangladesh is a week-long exercise that seeks to enhance collaboration focused on shared maritime security challenges in the region.  "CARAT remains one of our most important annual exercises. The security relationship between our two countries and in the region is an important one," said U.S. Ambassador to Bangladesh, Peter Haas.  “Our militaries are finding more ways to expand their ability to work together to counter security threats and alleviate the impact of natural disasters," he said. Qatari emir’s just-held visit to generate goodwill, understanding between 2 countries: Dhaka With nearly a half century of diplomatic relations between the U.S. and Bangladesh, this year’s exercise focuses on innovative naval capabilities and featured cooperative evolutions highlighting the ability of Bangladesh and the U.S. to work together on common goals that ensure a free and open Indo-Pacific and rules based international order. “We are committed to partnering with Bangladesh on our shared regional priorities and maintaining consistent collaboration ashore, in the air, and at sea,” said Capt. Sean Lewis, commodore, DESRON 7.  “Bangladesh joined the CARAT exercise series in 2010 and have been dedicated partners in continued bilateral opportunities for training. Our coordination and integration are even stronger today and it shows in the highly professional in-depth training that we have planned this year.” Other focus areas include surface warfare, search and rescue, exchanges between explosive ordnance disposal technicians, and subject matter expert exchange events featuring a variety of joint training opportunities, to include maritime aviation, maritime domain awareness, Women, Peace & Security symposium, and mine countermeasures. U.S. assets participating in CARAT Bangladesh 2024 include staff from U.S. 7th Fleet, Commander, Task Force (CTF) 72, CTF 73, CTF 75, CTF 76, Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 7, and U.S. Embassy Bangladesh. Bangladesh has no significant changes in human rights: US report CARAT exercises are designed to address shared maritime security concerns and strengthen partnerships between regional navies, according to the US Embassy.  The exercises feature complex training to demonstrate the bilateral force’s ability to work together through numerous events including divisional tactics designed to practice maneuvering as ships sail together in complex formations. As the U.S. Navy’s forward-deployed DESRON in Southeast Asia, DESRON 7 serves as the primary tactical and operational commander of littoral combat ships rotationally deployed to the U.S. 7th Fleet area of responsibility, functions as Expeditionary Strike Group 7’s Sea Combat Commander and builds partnerships through training and exercises and military-to military engagements. U.S. 7th Fleet is the U.S. Navy's largest forward-deployed numbered fleet, and routinely interacts and operates with allies and partners in preserving a free and open Indo-Pacific region.