Foreign-Affairs
Rohingyas want, deserve a safer, more peaceful life: UN expert
The UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Myanmar, Tom Andrews wrapped up a nine-day mission to Indonesia on Wednesday by calling for coordinated action by Indonesia and others to address the deepening crisis in Myanmar.
He expressed his appreciation to Indonesia for its support to the people of Myanmar and urged the country to play a bigger role in resolving the crisis both as current Chair of ASEAN and as a leader in Southeast Asia and on the world stage.
“I came to Indonesia because the human rights situation in Myanmar is dire and getting worse, and because I believe that Indonesia is positioned to play a critical role in the resolution of this crisis,” Andrews said in a statement released at a news conference in Jakarta.
Read: US says it would let India speak for its bilateral relations with Bangladesh
“I’m worried that the deepening crisis in Myanmar has become invisible to much of the world, and that some governments are beginning to think that the junta’s tyranny is inevitable. This narrative is exactly what the junta wants and needs to prevail,” he said.
In meetings with Indonesian and ASEAN officials during his visit, Andrews noted that the world was looking to Indonesia and ASEAN for leadership in resolving the Myanmar crisis.
“There are two different time zones when it comes to ASEAN and the crisis in Myanmar: one being the reality of the people of Myanmar who face daily attacks by junta forces and rapidly deteriorating conditions. The other is the world of ASEAN officials who caution that progress could take years, even decades,” the Special Rapporteur said.
Read: Japan provides 500 million yen for 4th Primary Education Development Programme
“The people of Myanmar do not have decades nor years – some do not even have days – for the junta to be held accountable,” he said.
Andrews called on Indonesia to show continued leadership on Myanmar not only for the remainder of its ASEAN chairmanship, but beyond.
“It is time to consider alternative options to break the deadly stalemate. I urge ASEAN to take measures to hold the junta accountable for its grave human rights violations and blatant disregard for implementation of the Five-Point Consensus. Even if ASEAN remains deadlocked, Indonesia should work with allies to isolate the junta and reduce its capacity to attack the people of Myanmar,” the expert said.
During his mission, Andrews traveled to Aceh Province and visited a Rohingya refugee camp in Pidie District, where he heard directly from Rohingya who undertook dangerous boat journeys across the Bay of Bengal and Andaman Sea and disembarked in Indonesia.
Read: Success in achieving ‘Sonar Bangla’ and ‘Global Britain’ depend on how Bangladesh and UK choose to cooperate: Shahriar Alam
“What was overwhelmingly apparent is the extreme vulnerability of refugees with whom I met. Fleeing atrocity crimes in Myanmar, and facing increasingly dire conditions in Bangladesh, they carry with them deep trauma. They want and deserve a safer, more peaceful life.”
“The Rohingya refugees recounted their harrowing experiences at sea. A woman told me that over 20 persons died on her boat and that they had to throw the bodies overboard. Another woman cried as she recalled the lack of food and water, and how she had to give her child seawater to drink,” Andrews recalled.
The expert said he was inspired by the widespread empathy for Rohingya among Acehnese fishermen, local civil society groups providing aid and services, and UN staff working with the refugees.
Andrews cautioned, however, that there remain many challenges for Rohingya refugees in Indonesia and the region.
“Responsibility for the rights of the Rohingya, including their right to redress as survivors of atrocity crimes, rests primarily with Myanmar. But it also extends to the countries where they seek refuge and to the broader international community,” said Andrews.
He emphasised that Indonesia is well-positioned to play a global leadership role to defend and support the Rohingya.
Yoga a gift of India to world: Pranay Verma
Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Pranay Verma on Wednesday highlighted the significance of Yoga as a gift of India to the world.
“Yoga, being an integral part of the shared cultural heritage of India and Bangladesh, can further serve as a unifying force, promoting physical and mental well-being among our people,” he said.
The High Commissioner emphasised that the G20 Presidency of India in 2023 reinforces India’s commitment to fostering global partnerships for sustainable development, and Yoga is a catalyst for this positive change.
The High Commission of India celebrated the International Day of Yoga along with Yoga enthusiasts from Bangladesh at the Shaheed Suhrawardy Indoor Stadium, Mirpur.
The event witnessed a large turnout, with participants from various walks of life coming together to celebrate the ancient science of yoga, which originated from India.
Modi to lead foreign dignitaries in a session on Int'l Yoga Day at UN Secretariat
US says it would let India speak for its bilateral relations with Bangladesh
National Security Council (NSC) Coordinator for Strategic Communications, John Kirby, has said the US would let the Indian government speak for its bilateral relations with Bangladesh.
“I think we’d let the Indian Government speak for its bilateral relations with Bangladesh… We have already made clear our desire to free and fair elections in Bangladesh,” Kirby said while responding to a question at a briefing on the upcoming state visit of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Diplomatic sources say regional and the global situation will come up for discussion during the Indian Prime Minister’s meeting with US President Joe Biden.
Read: Biden hosting Modi as US sees India as a pivotal force in Asia for decades to come
At the media briefing, Kirby said it is “commonplace and consistent” for President Biden to raise concerns over human rights wherever he goes and whatever leaders he is speaking to.
“Human rights are a foundational element of this administration’s foreign policy, and you can certainly expect that the President will – as he always does and as you can do with friends and partners like Prime Minister Modi in India – raise our concerns about that,” he said.
President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden will host Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi during an official state visit to the United States, which will include a state dinner on June 22, according to the White House.
Read: Success in achieving ‘Sonar Bangla’ and ‘Global Britain’ depend on how Bangladesh and UK choose to cooperate: Shahriar Alam
The visit will affirm the deep and close partnership between the United States and India and the warm bonds of family and friendship that link Americans and Indians together, said the US government.
The visit will strengthen the two countries’ shared commitment to a free, open, prosperous, and secure Indo-Pacific and shared resolve to elevate strategic technology partnership, including in defence, clean energy, and space, White House said.
Read: Momen urges US to import more medicines from Bangladesh
The leaders will discuss ways to further expand educational exchanges and people-to-people ties between India and the US, as well as their work together to confront common challenges from climate change, to workforce development and health security.
Japan provides 500 million yen for 4th Primary Education Development Programme
Japan has provided another 500 million yen in grant aid for the Fourth Primary Education Development Programme (PEDP4) as part of Tokyo’s continued support for Bangladesh’s education sector.
The Exchange of Notes, formalizing this agreement, was signed by Ambassador IWAMA Kiminori of Japan to Bangladesh and Sharifa Khan, secretary of the Economic Relations Division, Ministry of Finance, according to a press release.
Also Read: Japan provides critical funding to WFP’s lifesaving food assistance for Rohingyas
Under the agreement, ICHIGUCHI Tomohide, chief representative of JICA Bangladesh Office, and Sharifa Khan also signed a relevant Grant Agreement, solidifying the commitment to the successful implementation of the programme.
Ambassador IWAMA expressed his views on the occasion, stating, "As Bangladesh strives to become a developed country by 2041, it is crucial to not only focus on economic growth but also prioritize the enhancement of the education system to ensure inclusive growth. Education is the key to developing human resources and is vital for the sustainable future of Bangladesh. I would like to emphasize that PEDP4 has played and will continue to play a crucial role. Japan remains committed to supporting all levels of education in this country."
Also read: Japan provides $500,000 to Cyclone-affected Rohingyas, host communities through IOM
This grant aid is part of Japan's total contribution of 2 billion yen allocated for PEDP4. It serves as financial support for various initiatives aimed at achieving the goals of the programme, the release also said.
Success in achieving ‘Sonar Bangla’ and ‘Global Britain’ depend on how Bangladesh and UK choose to cooperate: Shahriar Alam
State Minister for Foreign Affairs Md Shahriar Alam on Tuesday said Bangladesh and the United Kingdom (UK) have robust cooperation both bilaterally and under the Commonwealth umbrella.
“Our successes in achieving our respective goals of ‘Sonar Bangla’ and ‘Global Britain’ will depend on how we choose to cooperate,” he said.
The state minister said Bangladesh-UK partnership is based on progressive values of democracy, secularism, and inclusive societies and they believe that the Indo-Pacific priorities must emanate, primarily, from the Indo-Pacific region.
Also read: Momen urges US to import more medicines from Bangladesh
He was delivering the keynote speech at a roundtable on ‘Bangladesh’s Indo-Pacific Outlook and emerging partnership with the UK’ at the British Parliament.
Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon, UK Prime Minister’s Special Representative for Preventing Sexual Violence in Conflict and FCDO Minister of State (Middle East, North Africa, South Asia and United Nations); Lord Rami Ranger, Vice Chair of UK All-Party Parliamentary Group on Indo-Pacific; members of UK All-Party Parliamentary Group on Bangladesh; members of UK All-Party Parliamentary Group on Indo-Pacific; and members of both the houses of the UK Parliament were present at the event.
Bangladesh High Commissioner Saida Muna Tasneem was also present on the occasion.
“The Indian Ocean and greater Indo-Pacific region is critically important for Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s vision to build a smart and knowledge-based developed Bangladesh by 2041, which we call Smart Bangladesh, and to realise Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman’s ‘friendship to all and malice towards none’ foreign policy dictum,” said the state minister.
Also read: FBCCI-HSBC to work together to boost exports between Bangladesh-UK
This has been the core inspiration behind Bangladesh government’s Indo Pacific outlook, he said.
A free, open and inclusive Indo-Pacific is essential for peace, security, stability and growth, Alam said.
The region hosts more than half of the global population, 65% of whom are young.
Soon, more than half of global production and GDP will also come from this region. The region is also at the centre of technological dynamism and climate action.
In April this year, Bangladesh unveiled its Indo-Pacific outlook to pursue its foreign policy, economic and maritime security interest in the region as well as to pursue its global aspirations for shared prosperity for all.
Also read: Bangladesh to retain duty-free access for 98% of exports, including RMG as UK introduces new scheme
“Bangladesh IPO sees opportunities for everyone in the Indo-Pacific region through collaboration, partnership and collective action founded on the already universally accepted global principles enshrined in the UN Charter and other international legal documents,” he said.
The state minister said Bangladesh remains committed to working with regional and international partners to address the challenges of climate change and maritime security to ensure sustainable development and connectivity.
“We are working towards becoming a regional connectivity hub, which will help Bangladesh as well as other neighbouring countries,” Alam said.
Emerging Areas of Partnership
The state minister shed light on the emerging areas of Bangladesh-UK partnership under the Indo-Pacific outlook of Bangladesh:
“We must also build strategic investment partnerships with Indo Pacific partners such as the UK and double UK’s DFI into Bangladesh from the present 2.7 billion USD and extend it to green, sustainable, digital and innovative Smart Bangladesh,” he said.
During Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s visit to the UK in May this year, two governments signed a Joint Communique on Aviation Trade and Investment Partnership encompassing the acquisition of passenger and cargo aircraft from Airbus.
Also read: UK will continue to "support democratic process" in Bangladesh
“We believe Bangladesh-UK aviation partnership would be instrumental towards realising our ambition to be a regional air connectivity hub,” Alam said.
Bangladesh and the UK are ‘excellent climate partners” and are working closely as founding members of several UK-led climate alliances including the Adaptation Ambition Alliance, Global Ocean Alliance 30/30, High Ambition Coalition for nature and people (HACNP).
The two governments signed the Climate Accord in March this year.
“Hopefully, it will help to strengthen our climate resilience and prosperity partnership,” said the state minister.
Also read: Joint efforts on climate front can make a difference: US
He said Bangladesh also places top priority on ensuring sustainable use of marine resources, maintaining biodiversity, and marine pollution control.
“We look forward to having meaningful partnership and cooperation with the UK with the shared goal of having an international ocean governance mechanism,” he said.
Bangladesh and the UK can work together to unlock the potential of Blue Economy of Bangladesh.
“On this, we urge the UK’s technical support for Bangladesh for ensuring maximum use of our marine resources, keeping our oceans healthy,” he said.
Also read: GIS partners with UK’s largest music education body to cultivate musical excellence
The two countries recently introduced direct shipping line between the Chattogram port in Bangladesh and Liverpool port in the UK.
Similar interest is being expressed by other ports in the UK and across the European continent.
“These are all promising signs that we can definitely broaden our conversation in the connectivity domain,” said the state minister.
He said Bangladesh-UK defence and strategic cooperation have also grown from strength to strength over the past years.
Bangladesh has procured five C130 J aircrafts from the UK for its Air Force between 2019 and 2022. The first ever Defence Dialogue between the two countries took place in 2022.
Bangladesh is also cooperating closely with UK and other partners not just bilaterally but in the multilateral context, especially on a number of non-traditional security issues, including counterterrorism, preventing violent extremism, combating trafficking of all sorts, including human trafficking, and combating cybercrimes, said the state minister.
These all demonstrate a mature security and strategic partnership between Bangladesh and the UK, he said.
The state minister thanked the UK’s continued diplomatic leadership at the UN Security Council on the Rohingya crisis, including its leadership role in the adoption of the first-ever resolution 2669 on “situation in Myanmar.”
“We look forward to continued meaningful engagement of the UK to resolve the crisis for the sake of peace and stability in the region,” he said.
Momen urges US to import more medicines from Bangladesh
Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen has said the pharmaceutical industries of Bangladesh are producing medicines of international standard, and are exporting medicines at competitive prices to many countries of the world.
He urged the US to import more medicines from Bangladesh, and observed that the US took a lot of medical equipment from Bangladesh during the Covid-19 pandemic.
President and CEO of Dyadic International Inc, an American biotechnology company, Mark Emalfarb met the foreign minister at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Tuesday and discussed issues of mutual interest.
Also read: US wants to see Bangladesh as a resilient Indo-Pacific partner, reevaluates Country Development Cooperation Strategy
A memorandum of understanding on vaccine production will be signed between Essential Drugs Company Limited of Bangladesh and Dyadic International Inc. at the Ministry of Health in Dhaka on Wednesday, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
During the meeting, Dyadic President Emalfarb informed about the initiative to increase Bangladesh's capacity in vaccine production by signing an MoU with the state-owned Essential Drugs Company Limited of Bangladesh.
Dr Momen said that in many countries, including the United States, the production cost and the price of medicine is very high.
Also read: Joint efforts on climate front can make a difference: US
Therefore, he said, the big companies of those countries can take comparative advantage through investment and technology transfer in the pharmaceutical industries of Bangladesh.
Dr Momen thanked Mark Emalfarb for the initiative of collaboration of world-renowned biotechnology company Dyadic with the state-owned Essential Drugs Company Limited to help increase the capacity of Bangladesh in vaccine production.
Also read: Bangladesh making significant efforts to eliminate trafficking: US
China welcomes Bangladesh to BRICS as the grouping seeks expansion: Spokesperson
China has said the expansion of BRICS is a political consensus reached by all five members of the grouping.
"China is committed to advancing the BRICS expansion and stands ready to bring more like-minded partners into the big family of BRICS," said Spokesperson of Chinese Foreign Ministry Mao Ning on Tuesday commenting on Bangladesh’s approach to join BRICS.
Mao said an important platform for cooperation among emerging markets and developing countries, BRICS is committed to upholding multilateralism, vigorously advancing the reform of the global governance system and increasing the representation and say of emerging markets and developing countries.
Also read: Bangladesh likely to become member of BRICS in August: Momen
On June 19, Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen said Bangladesh would welcome if BRICS invites it formally to join the grouping of five member states - Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa.
“We will surely join once they invite us. We are yet to receive any formal letter (inviting us to join). BRICS leaders are thinking of taking some emerging economies – around eight new countries including Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Indonesia, and Bangladesh,” he told reporters at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Monday.
Earlier in Geneva, Momen hinted that Bangladesh is likely to become a member of BRICS in August this year.
Also read: Dhaka to welcome if BRICS formally invites to join
BRICS leaders are expected to attend the 15th BRICS Summit in South Africa from August 22-24. The Summit will be hosted at the Sandton Convention Centre (SCC) in Johannesburg, Gauteng.
BRICS leaders will engage with business during the BRICS Business Forum and engage with the New Development Bank, BRICS Business Council, and other mechanisms during the Summit.
South Africa will also continue its outreach to leaders from Africa and the global South and hold a BRICS Outreach and BRICS Plus Dialogue during the 15th BRICS Summit.
Also read: Experts say BRICS cooperation creates "real opportunity" for world sustainable development
Momen recently joined the Friends of BRICS Foreign Ministers’ Meeting virtually at the invitation of the Foreign Minister of South Africa Naledi Pandor said the current global economic crises are inducing countries to cooperate more in regional and multilateral platforms.
Momen referred to the development, economic, environmental, and health-related focus of the BRICS nations.
He suggested that the BRICS member states transfer their cost-effective technology to the developing partners.
Tweets by former US diplomat on role during Dhaka stint in 2007-08 and recent Bangladesh focus generate curiosity, debate on social media
Recent tweets by Jon Danilowicz – stationed in Dhaka as a US diplomat during the last caretaker government – on Bangladesh have generated curiosity and debate on the social media platform. Danilowicz, referred to as “influential” during his posting in Dhaka at the time of the political changeover in 2007, “played a crucial role in the political arena and all eyes were always focused on him,” according to The Daily Star.
In a tweet on June 18, 2023, Danilowicz, from his verified handle, justified that “USG worked tirelessly to restore democracy in the 2007-08 period and supported much needed reforms.”
His tweet on the US “intervention” came in response to a tweet by Barrister Shah Ali Farhad, former special assistant to PM Sheikh Hasina and a Senior Associate at Centre for Research and Information (CRI), citing a leaked US cable from WikiLeaks, that reveals Danilowciz back then “advised” the US administration that “removal of both Khaleda Zia and Sheikh Hasina from politics is widely seen as necessary to facilitate these changes and the progress of the country toward elections.”
Read: Letters from 6 MEPs and 6 US congressmen: Netizens point out curious similarities, including misspelling Bangladesh PM’s name
In his tweet, Farhad, also founder of Confluence (a specialist blog for commentaries and analyses on politics, policy, diplomacy, and governance), raised the question: “What is more undemocratic than imprisoning top politicians of a country and trying to replace them with manufactured leadership with military and civil society backing?”
Referring to Danilowicz’s stint in Dhaka back then, Farhad further tweeted: “He was an enthusiastic supporter of the undemocratic depoliticisation campaign of that regime, and a subscriber of the infamous ‘minus-2’ theory.”
“Nowadays, Jon likes to masquerade as a pro-democracy ‘activist-type’ in Washington, DC, writing for South Asia Perspectives (a propaganda platform by Khaleda Zia’s ex-press official Mushfiq Fazal Ansari), and appearing in a pro-BNP human rights forum Right 2 Freedom,” Farhad’s tweet added.
He further wrote, “In fact, he likes to brag about the impact of both platforms on the AL Govt too, as can be seen from a screengrab shared where his association with Toby Cadman, BNP-Jamaat’s lobbyist and lawyer in UK/Europe, is crystal clear.”
Read: 6 congressmen’s letter to Biden a ‘false projection’ of the state of Bangladesh’s minorities, community leaders say
“…He is definitely not fighting for democracy in Bangladesh. But he is throwing random punches and kicks. Question is, who is he doing that for?” – added Farhad.
One twitter user posted a recent revelation on the caretaker system by a former advisor who was briefly a part of that administration.
“A caretaker government is not capable of delivering solutions to all the problems,” said renowned human rights activist and lawyer Sultana Kamal.
Kamal, who resigned from the then caretaker government, rather stressed on the need for an “independent Election Commission” and political will.
Read: Letter from 6 members of European Parliament reflects views of signatories, Ambassador tells UNB
According to journalist Gazi Nasiruddin Khokon, who was in charge of the bdnews24.com newsroom back then, Danilowicz “clearly attempted to glorify that stint but in reality, that very tenure has been marred by mounting pressure on journalists and editors of mainstream dailies from the military-backed regime – forcing them to publish unsubstantiated stories against political leaders, including then opposition leader and Awami League chief Sheikh Hasina.”
World Refugee Day: EU committed to preventing loss of life, providing safe pathways
The journeys of refugees are often full of hardship and danger, with thousands risking their lives across deserts and seas in the hope of a better future, the European Commission said on Tuesday.
“The European Union (EU) is committed to work on comprehensive action to prevent the loss of life and provide orderly and safe pathways,” said a joint statement by the European Commission and the High Representative marking the World Refugee Day.
Read: 50-year journey of Ikebana in Bangladesh celebrated
“The European Commission is working with EU member states and international partners on resettlement and complementary pathways that can help scale-up admission places, from priority regions,” said the statement.
The EU resettlement and humanitarian admission scheme was launched by the European Commission on 10 May 2023, kicking off the new pledging exercise for 2024-2025.
The EU welcomes the upcoming Global Refugee Forum in December 2023 as an important opportunity to better share global responsibility. “To be truly effective we must all step up our efforts and work in partnership to address the multiple complex challenges created by forced displacement,” the statement said.
“Today, more than 110 million people are forcibly displaced around the world. On the occasion of World Refugee Day, we reiterate the EU’s commitment to continue being a leading humanitarian and development donor and to step up our efforts to ensure that the EU remains a place where refugees find protection and safety,” said the High Representative.
Read: PM Hasina for peaceful resolution of Ukraine crisis
Globally, the EU is working to help improve the situation of millions of refugees and forcibly displaced persons caught up in conflicts or major humanitarian crises such as those in Afghanistan, Syria, Venezuela, Myanmar, Yemen, South Sudan, Sudan, the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Burkina Faso.
“We deliver life-saving aid including food, shelter, education, health care, as well as livelihood support,” the statement reads.
Read: Bangladesh to retain duty-free access for 98% of exports, including RMG as UK introduces new scheme
"A home away from home gives hope to refugees. On World Refugee Day, we celebrate the generous Bangladeshi host communities for providing support to the most vulnerable Rohingya refugees," US Embassy in Dhaka tweeted thanking Bangladesh.
Meanwhile, the Australian High Commission in Dhaka tweeted saying that Australia is committed to supporting displaced Rohingya and host communities in Bangladesh. Bangladesh is currently hosting over 1.1 million Rohingyas in Cox’s Bazar and Bhasan Char.
50-year journey of Ikebana in Bangladesh celebrated
Bangladesh Ikebana Association and Embassy of Japan jointly celebrated the 50th anniversary of Ikebana in Bangladesh at National Museum, Dhaka on Monday.
It was supported by the National Museum of Bangladesh, Department of Japanese Studies, University of Dhaka and Japanese Universities Alumni Association in Bangladesh (JUAAB).
Ambassador of Japan to Bangladesh Iwama Kiminori said the aesthetic sense of Japanese people is most beautifully demonstrated through this art of flower arrangement.
Also read: Japan provides critical funding to WFP’s lifesaving food assistance for Rohingyas
Bangladesh Ikebana Association started its journey as an Ikebana School in October, 1973 at the Japanese Embassy premises in Shantinagar.
It was restructured to this present organization in 2009.
"I would like to express my sincere gratitude to BIA members for their continuous efforts to promote Japan- Bangladesh friendly relations since its inception," said the Ambassador, adding that Ikebana is an art of expressing appreciation for nature.
Celebrating 50 years of the Bangladesh Ikebana Association, a souvenir was published. It contains messages from Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Mayor of Dhaka South City Corporation Barrister Sheikh Fazle Noor Taposh and Ambassador of Japan Iwama Kiminori.
Also read: Japan provides $500,000 to Cyclone-affected Rohingyas, host communities through IOM
Ikebana is very popular all over the world nowadays.
It has reached the people of Bangladesh through the Bangladesh Ikebana Association.
Bangladesh Ikebana Association awarded six Ikebana experts on this occasion for their outstanding contribution for Ikebana in Bangladesh during last 50 years.
Also read: Bangladesh Ikebana Association delegation meets new Japanese envoy