others
PM to distribute Swadhinata Padak Thursday
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will distribute Swadhinata Padak (Independence Award), the highest civilian award, to nine individuals and one institution for 2021 on Thursday in recognition of their outstanding contributions to the country. The award-distribution programme will be held at her official residence Ganobhaban, according to sources at the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO). AKM Bazlur Rahman, Shaheed Ahsanullah Master and Brig Gen (retd) Khurshid Uddin Ahmed and Akhtaruzzaman Chowdhury Babu have been named posthumously for the award in recognition of their contributions to Independence and the Liberation War.
Read: PM Hasina hands over Ekushey Padak Dr Mrinmoy Guha Neogi will receive the highest state award for his contributions to science and technology, Mohadeb Saha for literature; Ataur Rahman and Gazi Mazharul Anwar for culture, and Dr M Amjad Hossain for social work. Bangladesh Agricultural Research Council will receive the award in the research and training category. Bangladesh has been recognising individuals and institutions with the award every year since 1977.
That's something concerning: UN on Rozina's arrest
The United Nations has said journalist Rozina Islam's arrest is obviously "something concerning”, noting that journalists need to be able to do their work free of any sort of harassment or physical threat anywhere around the world. "Look, I've seen…we've seen the press reports on the journalist that was arrested in Bangladesh. It’s, obviously, something that we’re looking at. It’s something that's concerning," said Stephane Dujarric, Spokesman for the UN Secretary-General, in a regular briefing on Tuesday.
Read: Journalists demand unconditional release of Rozina Islam The spokesperson said their position has been clear and obviously that includes Bangladesh and every other country. "I think we’ve seen the very important work that journalists all around the world have done during the pandemic, and they need to be able to continue that work, wherever they may work," he said. A Dhaka court on Tuesday sent journalist Rozina Islam to judicial custody after rejecting the demand of police to take her on a five-day remand.
Read:Rozina’s arrest a black chapter in history of Bangladesh journalism: Editors’ Council
She was arrested in a case under the Official Secrets Act on Monday night.
Journalists demand unconditional release of Rozina Islam
Journalists on Wednesday formed a human chain in front of the Jatiya Press Club demanding unconditional release of journalist Rozina Islam and punishment of those involved in harassing her at the Secretariat.
Dhaka Reporters Unity, Bangladesh Federal Union of Journalist, Barishal Divisional Journalist Association, Bangladesh Secretariat Reporters Forum, Bangladesh Photo Journalists Association and other organizations joined the human chain around 11 am.
Read:That's something concerning: UN on Rozina's arrest
They also demanded withdrawal of false case filed against Rozina.
Besides, Dhaka Reporters Unity (DRU) held a protest rally in front of its office demanding the same.
Rozina, senior journalist of Prothom Alo, was handed over to police on Monday night after being held at the Secretariat for over five hours.
Rozina was arrested for allegedly attempting to illegally “collect sensitive government documents and taking photos of them” from the Secretariat on Monday.
An FIR was filed against Rozina under the Official Secrets Act and sections 379 and 411 of The Penal Code on a complaint filed by the Health Services Division at Shahbagh police station.
Read: Journalist Rozina must get justice: Law Minister
Later, a Dhaka court on Tuesday sent Rozina, to jail after rejecting the police's demand for her five-day remand.
Rozina Islam was taken to Kashimpur Central Women's Jail on Tuesday afternoon after a Dhaka court rejected police’s remand plea.
Besides, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has formed a three-member probe committee to look into the confinement and later handover to police of journalist Rozina Islam at the Secretariat on Monday.
Global Covid deaths near 3.4 million
The global death toll from Covid-19 is approaching 3.4 million, as the race for mass inoculations continues.
More than 3,399,194 people have died so far from the virus, while 163,952,478 cases have been reported worldwide, according to Johns Hopkins University.
Some 1,507,598,872 vaccine doses have been administered till Wednesday morning, according to the university.
The US has recorded 587,198 deaths since the pandemic began. Over 32,996,675 people have been found infected with the virus, if Johns Hopkins figures are to be believed.
India’s total virus cases since the pandemic began swept past 25 million on Tuesday. To be specific, the country’s total caseload currently stand at 25, 228,996, as per the data released by the government.
Also read; Global Covid-19 death toll hits 2.7 million
The numbers continue a trend of falling cases after infections dipped below 300,000 for the first time in weeks on Monday. Active cases in the country also decreased by more than 165,000 on Tuesday — the biggest dip in weeks, reports AP.
But deaths have continued to rise and hospitals are still swamped with patients. India has registered 278,719 deaths since the beginning of the pandemic.
Brazil on Tuesday reported 2,513 more deaths from Covid-19, raising the national count to 439,050, the Ministry of Health said.
The ministry said that 75,445 more infections were detected, raising the nationwide tally to 15,732,836.
According to the ministry, Brazil now has a death rate of 208.9 per 100,000 inhabitants.
Situation in Bangladesh
Bangladesh on Tuesday registered 30 more coronavirus-related deaths in 24 hours, pushing up the total fatalities to 12,211.
Besides, 1,272 new cases were detected during the period after testing 16,855 samples, the Directorate General of Health Services said in a handout.
Read: Vaccine production in Bangladesh: Experts 'vehemently against private sector’s engagement'
The daily infection rate rose to 7.55 percent on Tuesday from Monday’s 6.75 percent.
With the new cases, the total caseload reached 7,28,129 while the total number of recoveries stood at 7,24,209, including 1,115 in the past 24 hours.
Vaccination drive
Bangladesh launched its vaccination drive on February 7 with Oxford-AstraZeneca doses purchased from India's Serum Institute.
The government signed an agreement with Serum for 30 million doses. But a record number of cases in India has now made the delivery of the doses uncertain.
In fact, the country, the prime recipient of the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine, has suspended the registration for Covid-19 jabs due to vaccine shortage amid a delay in the timely arrival of shipments from India.
In the past 24 hours, no one has received the first dose of the vaccine, while 64,377 have received the second dose, said the health directorate.
UN General Assembly President to visit Bangladesh next week
President of the 75th session of the United Nations General Assembly Volkan Bozkır will visit Bangladesh and Pakistan from May 25 to 27.
"Looking forward to my upcoming official visit to Bangladesh and Pakistan on 25-27 May to discuss the multilateral system and shared challenges," he tweeted.
In Dhaka, Bozkir will be received by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen will also meet him during the visit.
The President will also deliver speech at the Foreign Services Academy, said the UN office in Dhaka.
His speech will address the current international context – with a focus on global crises and emergencies – and reflect on the state of multilateralism and the United Nations system.
The President will also meet the United Nations Country Team.
While in Bangladesh, the President will also travel to Cox’s Bazar to meet Rohingya refugees.
He will observe the vital work undertaken by the UN Resident Coordinator and the UNHCR Representative.
JRP 2021: Dhaka seeks permanent solution to Rohingya crisis
State Minister for Foreign Affairs M Shahriar Alam has said the international community, including the UN, must intensify their focus on the permanent solution to the Rohingya crisis, which lies in the sustainable return and reintegration of Rohingyas in Myanmar.
He made the remarks at the launching ceremony of the 4th Joint Response Plan (JRP-2021) for humanitarian assistance for about a million Rohingyas temporarily sheltered in Bangladesh.
The UN High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi and Director General of International Organization for Migration (IOM) Antonio Vitorino also attended the event held virtually on Tuesday.
The Bangladesh delegation, led by the State Minister for Foreign Affairs, also included Foreign Secretary Ambassador Masud Bin Momen and senior officials from the Ministry.
The State Minister emphasised the urgency of a permanent solution to the prolonged crisis that has created enormous strain on Bangladesh with multifarious ramification.
He said the Rohingyas were willing to return to their homeland in safety, security and dignity at the earliest to get rid of the precarious and hopeless situation. “However, any ray of hope was yet to be seen.”
Also read: UNHCR supporting Cox’s Bazar locals with community projects, livelihood initiatives
He highlighted that it was their shared responsibility to find a way-out to save the distressed Rohingyas from the uncertainties and safeguard the region.
The State Minister reiterated that the earliest repatriation of all displaced Rohingyas to their homeland in Rakhine remained a compelling priority for the government of Bangladesh.
Bangladesh was committed to ensuring best possible humanitarian assistance during their temporary stay in Bangladesh.
Also read: Don’t worry about Rohingya relocation to Bhasan Char: Dhaka to UNHCR
The State Minister highlighted that in order to decongest and de-risk the camps, Bangladesh developed the Bhasan Char from her own resources with required amenities and better facilities to relocate there 100,000 Rohingyas from the highly disaster-prone camps in Cox’s Bazar and informed that so far over 18,000 Rohingyas had already been shifted on voluntary basis.
He hoped that the United Nations agencies would commence their operation in Bhasan Char at the earliest.
While appreciating the persistent support of our international partners in humanitarian operations, the State Minister quoted the Prime Minister that the return of Rohingyas to their homeland was the only solution to the crisis and the solution lied with Myanmar.
He emphasised that all undertakings under the JRP or any other funding mechanisms should be implemented keeping this overarching objective in mind.
The State Minister underscored that the priority areas identified in the JRP must be aligned with the core objective of preparing the Rohingyas for their return.
Any project such as education or skill development should be designed and implemented in ways that would help Rohingyas integrate in their society upon their return to Myanmar.
The JRP has again brought together the efforts of the government of Bangladesh, and 134 UN agencies and NGO partners to continue the humanitarian assistance for the Rohingyas as well as the host community affected by the massive influx.
Participants from UN Agencies, different stakeholders, NGOs and Permanent Representatives of a number of donor countries participated at the event.
Besides, the Assistant Secretary for Population, Refugees, and Migration in the US State Department participated through a recorded statement informing that the US would make a contribution of US$ 155 million for the JRP 2021.
Many other donors announced their pledges while appreciating the generous role played by the government of Bangladesh, said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Many speakers mentioned the relocation of the Rohingyas to the Bhasan Char and the need for further engagement of the United Nations and other stakeholders.
Bangladesh sends second consignment of medical assistance to India
Bangladesh has sent the second consignment of medical supplies for the Covid-affected people in India.
Deputy High Commissioner of Bangladesh in Kolkata Toufique Hasan handed over 2672 boxes of medicines and protective items to the representative of Indian Red Cross Society at Petrapole on Tuesday.
Earlier, four covered vans containing these medicines reached the Benapole-Petrapole land port.
Being instructed by Bangladesh’s Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and coordinated and facilitated by the Foreign Ministry, these medicines, produced by Essential Drugs Co Ltd., were sent by the Health Ministry.
Also read: Covid-19: Bangladesh receives more medical assistance from India
The consignment contains 18 different kinds of Covid-related medicines which includes Antibiotics, Paracetamols, different kinds of injections/vials and Hand Sanitizers etc, said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Bangladesh sent the first consignment of 10,000 vials of antiviral injection Remdisivir on May 6 as gifts for the Indian people against the backdrop of unprecedented surge of Covid-19 pandemic.
Also read: Bangladesh detects first case of Indian Coronavirus strain
Earlier, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina expressed sympathy for the Indian people and reiterated Bangladesh's support to stand by her closest neighbour India during their critical time and expressed readiness to offer support in every possible way.
UN launches $943 mn plan to ‘safeguard well-being, dignity’ of Rohingyas
Under the leadership of the government of Bangladesh, the Organization for Migration (IOM) and UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) have launched a $943 million plan to “safeguard the well-being and dignity” of Rohingya refugees in the country and their host communities.
For the nearly 900,000 Rohingyass in Bangladesh, 2021 marks the fourth year since their mass displacement from Myanmar, which was preceded by decades of influxes triggered by systematic discrimination and targeted violence.
The 2021 Joint Response Plan joins Bangladesh with 134 UN agencies and NGO partners to “meet the needs of more than 880,000 Rohingya refugees and 472,000 Bangladeshis in the surrounding host communities in Cox’s Bazar District”, said UNHCR spokesperson Andrej Mahecic on Tuesday.
Although Bangladesh and the international community have been providing immediate life-saving assistance, the needs are immense, according to the UN News.
And complex challenges continue to emerge and reshape the nature of the response, such as the Covid-19 pandemic, which has compounded vulnerabilities for refugees and host communities alike.
Although the trajectory of the virus remains unpredictable, Bangladesh, with the support of the humanitarian community, has effectively managed the Covid-19 response and the spread of the disease in the large Rohingya camps and surrounding areas.
Also read: Rohingyas want to return to Myanmar; happy with Bhasan Char facilities
New layers of complexity include the ongoing crisis and political instability across the nearby Myanmar border.
Beyond physical safety
The needs of Rohingya refugees reach beyond subsistence and physical safety, they also require access to education and options for a decent life, according to the UN agencies.
To mitigate the risks of refugees taking dangerous onward journeys by land or sea to find a solution elsewhere, more must be done to provide hope for refugees sheltering in Bangladesh, and a realistic future back home.
“The search for durable solutions must remain focused on the voluntary, safe, dignified and sustainable return of Rohingya refugees to their homes in Myanmar, when conditions allow them to do so," they said in a statement.
Also read: Japan announces $1 million emergency aid for Rohingya camp fire victims
Meanwhile, it is critical to maintain the delivery of all humanitarian assistance and protection services.
“The international community must continue to advocate for sustainable solutions in Myanmar that would eventually facilitate what all Rohingya refugees have consistently voiced as their main concern – to return home”, said IOM chief António Vitorino.
Dhaka requests Delhi to send vaccine to Bangladesh soon
Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen has requested his Indian counterpart Dr S Jaishankar to ensure the supply of Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine doses to Bangladesh as soon as possible to meet Bangladesh’s needs.
He made the request during a conversation over phone with the Indian External Affairs Minister, said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs here.
Bangladesh entered into a deal with the Serum Institute of India (SII) to purchase 30 million doses of a potential vaccine being developed by AstraZeneca for Covid-19.
Bangladesh was supposed to get five million doses of vaccine per month as the SII and Bangladesh’s Beximco Pharma signed the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for priority delivery of the vaccine doses.
Earlier, Bangladesh sought at least 3 million doses of vaccine under the agreement to address the immediate demand in Bangladesh.
Also read: Bangladesh seeks immediate delivery of 4 mn vaccine doses from US: FM
Bangladesh has so far received only 7 million of Oxford-AstraZeneca covid-19 vaccine doses produced by Serum Institute through its contract. Bangladesh also received 3.3 million doses of vaccine as a bilateral partnership gift.
During the telephone conversation on Tuesday, Dr Jaishankar informed that he is aware of the demand for a second dose of the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine in Bangladesh.
Dr Momen said Bangladesh has requested the United States to supply vaccines urgently since India could not supply vaccines to Bangladesh timely.
Dr Jaishankar assured Dr Momen of requesting the US to give the vaccine to Bangladesh as the Bangladesh Foreign Minister raised the issue with his Indian counterpart.
Dr Momen conveyed condolences over the deaths in India due to Covid-19 and conveyed sympathy to the bereaved families.
Meanwhile, a total of 1014 Bangladeshi-American professional doctors, engineers, professors and others, led by Dr AFM Haque, have submitted a plea to the White House requesting the US Administration to send the vaccine to Bangladesh.
Also read: Deal with Russia soon over Covid vaccine: Health Minister
On the other hand, the US branch of Bangabandhu Foundation, Muktijoddha Council and Sheikh Rahman, Member of the Georgia State Senate also requested the White House to give vaccine doses to Bangladesh.
Expatriates Bangladeshis in the USA came to know that Bangladesh is not in the priority list of the US due to the low rate of infection and deaths in Bangladesh.
Journalist Rozina must get justice: Law Minister
Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Anisul Huq said Prothom Alo senior reporter Rozina Islam must get justice.
He said this to reporters at his residential office in the capital's Gulshan on Tuesday night.
The minister said, "I will just say that in such an incident if there is any suspicion of creating a gap between the government and journalists, then the government will surely try to remove it.”
On the day of hearing, the court will surely look into it and consider everything. He would also ask the prosecution to look into the case, he added.
Read: Health Ministry forms 3-member committee to probe Rozina incident
“I can say that Rozina Islam will definitely get justice,” he said.
Earlier, journalist leaders including the president and general secretary of the National Press Club and Bangladesh Secretariat Reporters Forum met the law minister and briefed him about Rozina Islam’s incident.
A Dhaka court meanwhile, sent Rozina, arrested in a case under the Official Secrets Act, to jail after rejecting the police's demand for her five-day remand.
She was arrested for allegedly attempting to illegally “collect sensitive government documents and taking photos of them” from the Secretariat on Monday.
Read: Rozina’s arrest a black chapter in history of Bangladesh journalism: Editors’ Council
The Prothom Alo journalist rejected all the allegations saying, "I was, in fact, harassed at the Secretariat."