Foreign-Affairs
Resolution moved by European Parliament disregards Odhikar’s error-ridden advocacy for radical forces, minority leader says
A recent resolution moved by the European Parliament on Bangladesh has sparked condemnation from minority community leaders.
They believe the projection of the “controversial” entity Odhikar’s two officials as “defender and staunch advocate for rights issues” is a shot in the arm for radical groups as the resolution completely ignored a disinformation campaign to “justify killings of bloggers and freethinkers” and to defend extremist elements that publicly deem minorities as “enemies of Islam”.
The resolution deplored prison sentences of Odhikar Secretary Adilur Rahman Khan and Director Nasiruddin Elan and called on the Bangladesh government to “immediately and unconditionally rescind the penalty and reinstate Odikhar's registration.”
"If we look back at the mayhem unleashed by Hefazat-e-Islam, in league with other hardliners including Jamaat-e-Islami, on May 5, 2013 in the capital, and the set of demands pressed by these ‘ultra radical forces’, it was clear they they were revolved around installation of a Taliban type rule for the country where minorities would be attacked, tortured and forced to flee ceaselessly with full impunity for the attackers," said Advocate Rana Das Gupta, secretary general of the country’s largest minority group Bangladesh Hindu Buddhist Christian Oikya Parishad.
Days after the police intervention, Odhikar came up with a report that not only presented inflated causality toll, claiming 61 activists died, but also completely turned a blind eye to the radical demands from these groups and their strong aversion towards minorities as the report described Hefazat as “any other social non-political and cultural orgazination” that “aims to take into consideration socio economic cultural political matters that affects the values and practices of Islam,” added Das Gupta.
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“The report also concealed the active participation of Jamaat-e-Islami and other radical groups that expressed solidarity with these outright communal demands,” the minority leader said.
“But the reality is, had the law enforcers not intervened, it would have turned into attacks on minorities as well as on secular and progressive individuals,” he added.
Only after police intervened to subdue these radical elements, Odhikar came up with a report claiming that the drive left as many as “61 activists killed” and projected them as “activists out to restore democracy” — turning a blind eye to their demands that belied the basic tenets of democracy.
The Daily Star, on September 1, 2013, published a report on Odhikar's list, calling it “A list riddled with holes”.
“Nineteen are traceless, five named twice, three alive. Six died in Narayanganj violence and one of heart attack. Slot number 10 is left vacant.
These are the holes a police investigation has found in the rights body ‘Odhikar's list of 61 people killed in the crackdown on Hefazat at Motijheel Shapla Chattar in the early hours of May 6.’
“The remaining 26 were not killed in the operation either,” The Daily Star report said.
Odhikar clearly and deliberately peddled the narrative as if writings of bloggers are some sort of justification for their killing.
Read: Bangladesh appalled by favouritism reflected in European Parliament’s resolution to politically biased entity Odhikar: MoFA
“With their report, Odhikar, I would like to say Adilur and his associate, not only confused or instigated the public, but also operated as the mouthpiece for ultra-radical forces”, the minority leader added.
Calling out the resolution, alongside statements from different international rights bodies “a sheer act of hypocrisy,” Das Gupta said, “At the hands of these radical forces, as advocated by Adilur and his associates, minorities are attacked, killed and forced to leave the country but ironically we have not seen similar clamor from these organizations to address our plights.”
Basherkella, exposed as a mouthpiece for Jamaat-e-Islami, a radical group whose leaders committed crimes against humanity — along with the Pakistan army — in 1971 to stop the birth of Bangladesh and perpetrated ruthless attacks against minorities, also tweeted for freeing Adilur, hailing him as “a champion for standing to the cause of human rights” with the “Free Adilur” hashtag.
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Ironically, just months back, Basherkella posted a series of hate campaign against the minority Ahmadiyya community, condemning police action to stop the violence over an Ahmadiyya religious event in Panchagarh town that left the minority community shocked and bewildered.
France, Germany ‘regret Bangladeshi court's decision regarding Adilur Rahman and ASM Nasiruddin’: Joint Statement
A vibrant civil society is essential to the prosperity of every nation, according to a joint Franco-German statement.
France and Germany are "deeply attached to respect for the rule of law as well as to the democratic acquis in Bangladesh,” it said.
They will continue to support defenders of human rights in Bangladesh, like throughout the world, reads the joint statement.
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"We regret the Bangladeshi court's decision regarding Adilur Rahman Khan and ASM Nasiruddin Elan," said the statement.
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"We have expressed our concern to the authorities on this situation and will maintain our dialogue with them on this case," the joint statement said.
The two countries recalled that Adilur Rahman Khan, on behalf of the human rights organization Odhikar, was the 2017 recipient of the Franco-German Prize for Human Rights and the Rule of Law.
Bangladesh hands over humanitarian aid to disaster-affected Libya
Bangladesh government has handed over relief materials to the representatives of the Libyan government sent as humanitarian assistance in the wake of Cyclone Daniel and catastrophic flooding.
Maj Gen Hasnat, Bangladesh Ambassador to Libya, handed over this assistance to Issa Al Falla, a member of the board of the Humanitarian Relief Agency in Libya, on Friday afternoon.
Earlier, a C-130J aircraft of Bangladesh Air Force carrying humanitarian assistance for the disaster-affected people of Libya arrived in Benghazi on Friday around 3:30pm BST.
Under the instruction of the Prime Minister, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs coordinated with the Ministry of Disaster Management & Relief and the Armed Forces Division to send the humanitarian assistance.
The flight is scheduled to return on September 17, 2023.
EU calls on Bangladesh to foster enabling environment for civil society to work 'without fear of reprisals'
The European Union (EU) has called on the government of Bangladesh to foster an enabling environment for civil society to carry out their work without fear of reprisals.
"Freedom of expression, freedom of association and a vibrant civil society are essential in a democratic society," said Spokesperson for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Nabila Massrali in a statement Friday.
The Cyber Tribunal sentenced Adilur Rahman Khan, secretary of NGO Odhikar, and A S M Nasiruddin, director of the organisation, to two years of imprisonment on charges under the Information and Communication Technology Act 2006.
They were subsequently detained in custody, said the Spokesperson.
The EU has followed the Odhikar case closely and has repeatedly raised with the Bangladeshi authorities the need for due process for Odhikar’s leadership, according to the EU statement.
The EU has also expressed its concern about the deregistration of Odhikar, which has made it excessively difficult for the organisation to function.
On Thursday, the government of Bangladesh said it is appalled by what it called the favouritism, reflected in the European Parliament’s resolution, to Odhikar, which in turn it called 'a non-compliant and politically biased entity with proven record of circulating misinformation', and an accomplice of vested quarters that promote terrorism and violent extremism.
It is a fact known to all that Adilur Rahman Khan was appointed Deputy Attorney General by BNPJamaat Government and worked in that capacity for five years from 2001 to 2006, the statement said.
Therefore, ‘Odhikar’ is not at all a neutral or independent organization that it tries to claim and is unfortunately believed by some in the international community, Bangladesh said.
The timing and language of the joint motion, tabled by some political groups in the European Parliament, for making judgemental comments over sub-judice matters and a court verdict on two ‘Odhikar’ officials delivered today in Dhaka is reflective of their intention of interfering into the independent judiciary of a sovereign state.
Dead bodies from natural disasters and conflict do not generally pose health risks, Red Cross and WHO say
Amid devastating loss of life due to disasters and conflict, there is often unfounded fear and misunderstanding concerning the dead. It is therefore important that communities have the tools and information they need to manage dead bodies safely and with dignity.
This is in part to help survivors along the path to recovery, the International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and the World Health Organization (WHO) said on Friday.
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When many people die in natural disasters or armed conflict, the presence of these bodies is distressing for affected communities. Some may move quickly to bury bodies, such as in mass graves, in part in an attempt to manage this distress, and sometimes because of the fear that these bodies pose a health threat.
This approach can be detrimental to the population, the organizations said.
Though local authorities and communities can be under immense pressure to bury the dead quickly, the consequences of mismanagement of the dead include long lasting mental distress for family members as well as social and legal problems. Well managed burials include easily traceable and properly documented individual graves in demarcated burial sites. This should ensure that the exact location of each dead body, as well as the associated information and personal belongings, is known as outlined in guidance developed by the organizations, in particular the ICRC/IFRC/WHO Manual for the Management of the Dead After Disasters. Cremations should not take place before the body is positively identified.
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In order to support better management of the dead, the organizations provide supplies and expertise to local authorities to help them manage the sometimes-overwhelming task of burying the dead. Today in Libya, Red Cross and WHO teams are working directly with authorities, communities and the Libyan Red Crescent Society, supporting them with guidance, materials, and training. The ICRC and WHO are both delivering body bags in Libya to help with the dignified treatment of the dead.
The bodies of people who have died following wounds sustained in a natural disaster or armed conflict almost never pose a health danger to communities.
This is because victims who have died from trauma, drowning or fire do not normally harbour organisms that cause disease with common precautions. The exceptions are when deaths occur from infectious diseases such as Ebola or Marburg diseases or cholera, or when the disaster occurred in an area endemic for these infectious diseases.
Under any circumstance, dead bodies near or in water supplies can lead to health concerns, as the bodies may leak feces and contaminate water sources, leading to a risk of diarrheal or other illness.
Bodies should not be left in contact with drinking water sources.
“The belief that dead bodies will cause epidemics is not supported by evidence. We see too many cases where media reports and even some medical professionals get this issue wrong,” said Pierre Guyomarch, the head of ICRC’s forensics unit.
“Those who survive an event like a natural disaster are more likely to spread disease than dead bodies.”
“We urge authorities in communities touched by tragedy to not rush forward with mass burials or mass cremations. Dignified management of bodies is important for families and communities, and in the cases of conflict, is often an important component of bringing about a swifter end to the fighting,” said Dr Kazunobu Kojima, Medical Officer for biosafety and biosecurity in WHO’s Health Emergencies Programme.
“An unnecessary rush to dispose of bodies of those killed in disasters or conflict deprives families of the opportunity to identify and mourn their loved ones, while providing no public health benefit. Dignified treatment of the dead requires appropriate time to identify the deceased and mourn and perform funeral rites in accordance with local cultural and social norms,” said Gwen Eamer, IFRC’s Senior Officer for Public Health in Emergencies and Head of Emergency Operations, Morocco Earthquake Response.
The ICRC, IFRC and WHO wish to remind authorities and communities of the following:
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While it is distressing to see dead bodies, community leaders or authorities should not hastily bury bodies in mass graves or carry out mass cremations. Burial or cremation procedures must keep in mind cultural, religious, and family concerns.
The bodies of those who die from natural disasters or armed conflict are generally not a source of disease.
Unless the deceased has died from a highly infectious disease, the risk to the public is negligible. However, there is a risk of diarrhoea from drinking water contaminated by faecal material from dead bodies. Routine disinfection of drinking water is sufficient to prevent waterborne illness.
Rapid, disrespectful mass burials or cremations, make identification of the dead and notification to family more difficult and sometimes impossible.
The only time dead bodies pose a health risk of epidemics is when the deaths resulted from some infectious diseases or when a natural disaster occurs in an area where such a disease is endemic.
Lime powder does not hasten decomposition, and since dead bodies in disaster or conflict are generally not an infectious risk, the disinfection of these bodies is not needed.
After any contact with the deceased, hands should be washed with soap and water, or cleaned with alcohol-based hand rub if there is no visible soiling.
The ICRC, IFRC and WHO urge all parties to conflict, and responders in disasters, to follow established principles for the management of dead bodies, for the good of all of society, and have offered further support as needed.
FM Momen for strengthening trade, investment ties with African nations
Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen has highlighted the imperative of tapping into unexplored trade opportunities between Bangladesh and African countries.
He attended at an interaction session held on Thursday at the Commonwealth Trade and Investment Forum Bangladesh 2023 in Dhaka.
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Momen underscored the critical need to establish robust trade and investment relations with African countries, particularly in key sectors such as pharmaceuticals, textiles, energy, blue economy and information and communication technology (ICT).
The session also shed light on Bangladesh's visionary 'Look Africa' policy, which represents a strategic commitment to bolster relations with African nations.
This outlines various areas of cooperation, including trade and the economy, education, IT and ICT, air and maritime connectivity, healthcare, contract farming, people-to-people contact and visa waivers for diplomatic and official passport holders. This multifaceted approach demonstrates Bangladesh's dedication to fostering deeper connections with the African continent.
CWEIC chairman applauds Bangladesh’s “incredible” economic success story
The foreign minister also stated that Bangladesh is one of the world's fastest-growing economies.
The country's focus on enhancing engagement with African nations aligns with its ambitious economic and social development trajectory, aimed at achieving Vision 2041 and creating a Smart Bangladesh.
He also highlighted that new African markets have opened doors for Bangladeshi enterprises, leading to diversification in export destinations.
Despite challenges, the potential for economic cooperation between Bangladesh and African nations remains promising, Momen said.
Devastation in Libya: Bangladesh PM expresses deep shock
He also stated that Bangladesh will welcome any election observers from African countries in our upcoming National Parliament Election scheduled to be held in early January 2024.
Ministers from several African countries, High level government delegates and business entities attended this event.
Bangladesh sends humanitarian aid to flood-affected Libya
Bangladesh has sent emergency relief goods as humanitarian assistance to flood victims in Libya.
A C-130J aircraft of Bangladesh Air Force left Dhaka for Libya at 8pm on Thursday with necessary relief materials and medicines to help the people affected by cyclone Daniel and floods, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said.
Assistant Chief of Air Staff (Operations) Air Vice Marshal AHM Fazlul Haque briefed the media after the aircraft departed for Libya. Ambassador of Libya to Bangladesh Abdulmutalib S M Sulaiman was also present at that time.
CWEIC chairman applauds Bangladesh’s “incredible” economic success story
The Chairman of Commonwealth Enterprise and Investment Council (CWEIC), Lord Marland, has expressed enthusiasm for the vibrant economic landscape of Bangladesh.
“I am so struck by Bangladesh for not only the friendliness and welcome that we had from all of you in Bangladesh, but also this is a vibrant, hardworking, and an entrepreneurial country, which is an example to many other countries in the world,” Lord Marland said while talking to reporters after attending the “Commonwealth Trade and Investment Forum” in Dhaka on Thursday.
Marland praised Bangladesh's remarkable economic growth, citing an impressive 8% GDP growth and a 20% debt-to-GDP (Debt to Nominal GDP) ratio, which he noted as a “dream” figure for many countries in the West.
He emphasised on the entrepreneurial spirit of Bangladesh and highlighted the country's development as a testament to the power of a free and open economy in lifting people out of poverty, fostering hope, and nurturing aspirations.
He commended the warm welcome extended by the people of Bangladesh and described the nation as a vibrant, industrious, and entrepreneurial example for countries worldwide.
Meanwhile, Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen underscored the importance of fostering greater trade and investment relations among Commonwealth countries.
He noted that despite the vast potential within Commonwealth nations, inter-Commonwealth trade remains relatively low.
He was speaking to the reporters after a meeting with African delegates to the Commonwealth Trade and Investment Forum.
Minister Momen highlighted that the combined trade value of Commonwealth countries is $721 billion, and the GDP of these nations’ totals around $13 trillion, with expectations of doubling by 2027 to $27 trillion.
The Foreign Minister said various sectors had piqued the interest of investors, including agriculture, contract farming, textiles, garments, and agro-processing.
However, specific details regarding these potential investments were to be disclosed at a later time, he added.
Bangladesh hosted the Commonwealth Trade and Investment Forum for the first time in collaboration with the Commonwealth Enterprise and Investment Council (CWEIC) on September 13-14.
The conference wrapped up on Thursday with the promise of enhancing cross-border investment to flourish respective economies.
There were nine sessions on investment, banking, technology, Cameroon's economy, pharmaceuticals and public health, SMEs, green finance, tourism and international supply chain on the final day of the two-day conference at Intercontinental Dhaka on Thursday.
Devastation in Libya: Bangladesh PM expresses deep shock
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Thursday expressed deep condolences to victims and missing lives in Libya due to Mediterranean storm--Daniel.
In a signed letter addressed to Libyan Prime Minister Abdul Hamid Mohamed Al-Dabaiba, she said that on behalf of the People and Government of Bangladesh and herself she expressed deepest condolences for the loss of a large number of lives and the massive destruction of property and means of subsistence caused by Daniel that struck eastern Libya, specifically Benghazi, Al-Bayda, Derna, Sahat, Al-Mari, and Jabel Al-Akhdar region.
“We pray to the Almighty for the eternal peace of the departed souls.”
She said that the government has taken steps to send a humble contribution from the People of Bangladesh to the Libyan People affected by the disaster.
“We laud the well-coordinated relief and rehabilitation efforts of the Government of Libya and your concerted approach to coping with the dire situation.”
Indian Army Chief invites Bangladesh Army Chief to attend IPAC conference in India
Indian Army Chief General Manoj Pande on Thursday invited Bangladesh Army Chief General SM Shafiuddin Ahmed to attend the Indo-Pacific Army Chiefs' Conclave (IPAC) to be held in Delhi, India from September 25-27.
General Manoj Pande has phoned General SM Shafiuddin Ahmed on Thursday and invited him to attend the Indo-Pacific Army Chiefs' Conclave (IPAC).
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In response, Bangladesh Army Chief thanked the Indian Army Chief for the invitation to attend the conference and expressed hope for participation, says a media release of ISPR directorate.
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It is known that Around 17 army chief-level military officers from various friendly countries will have the opportunity to discuss cooperation in the conference.
Through this invitation, the existing relationship between the armies of both countries is expected to be stronger in the future.
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