Foreign-Affairs
At Cabinet meeting PM Hasina pays tribute to Japan’s ex-PM Shinzo Abe
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Monday said that Japan’s assassinated Prime Minister Shinzo Abe always stood by Bangladesh and played a very significant role in the country’s economic development.
“I can’t understand why a good personality like Abe was attacked and brutally killed,” she wondered.
The prime minister said this while speaking on a condolence motion that was placed at Monday’s Cabinet meeting remembering Abe.
The meeting was held at the cabinet room of the Cabinet Division in the Secretariat, while the PM joined it virtually from her official residence Ganobhaban.
Hasina paid tribute to Abe calling him as a very sensitive, patriotic and real politician.
“The people of Bangladesh can never think that such heinous act of killing could happen in a country like Japan,” she said.
She expressed profound shock and sorrow at the dreadful killing of Abe.
Abe was fatally shot on July 8 while addressing a campaign rally in Japan’s Nara city.
The PM mentioned that Bangladesh observed a day of state mourning, while prayers were offered in various religious institutions of the country for Abe.
Hasina recalled that the late prime minister of Japan extended his support for Bangladesh in various international forums.
Read: PM seeks Japan’s support in repatriation of Rohingyas to Myanmar
“Besides, Shinzo Abe also stood beside Bangladesh for its development alongside ensuring Japan’s socio-economic advancement,” she added.
She recalled that garments of Bangladesh and other products got duty-and-quota-free access to the Japanese markets thanks Shinzo Abe’s initiative, while he also played a crucial role for implementing various mega projects in Bangladesh.
The premier mentioned Matarbari Power Plant, Deep Sea Port construction, Metro Rail in Dhaka and Third Terminal at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport projects being implemented in Bangladesh with Japanese assistance.
“Even the feasibility study of the Padma Bridge and Bangabandhu Bridge over Jamuna were also done by Japan,” she added.
Referring to the Holey Artisan attack Hasina said, the then Japan’s Prime Minister Abe played a very bold role despite many Japanese working in the metro rail project were killed.
She said, Abe made it sure that he would extend a helping hand towards Bangladesh although some people raised questions about running of the mega projects involving Japanese engineers and consultants.
She hoped that the real mystery of Abe’s killing in a country like Japan would be unearthed.
Bangladesh, India reiterate pledge to work towards citizen-centric consular mechanisms
Bangladesh and India have reiterated their commitment to continue to work towards citizen-centric consular mechanisms.
Noting the unique friendship and special bond between the two countries, especially in this 50th anniversary year of the establishment of bilateral diplomatic ties, they agreed to further strengthen bilateral relations through easier and more extensive people-to-people exchanges.
The third Bangladesh-India Consular Dialogue was held on Monday in Dhaka that discussed the issues of mutual interest.
Dr. Ausaf Sayeed, Secretary (CPV & OIA) led the Indian delegation, while the delegation from Bangladesh was led by Mashfee Binte Shams, Secretary (East), MoFA, Bangladesh.
The Consular dialogue mechanism was instituted in 2017 to discuss and improve consular, visa and mutual legal assistance cooperation between India and Bangladesh, thereby contributing to stronger people-to-people ties.
Read: Bangladesh-India train connectivity resumes after 2 years
The two sides held wide-ranging discussions on mechanisms to strengthen coordination and cooperation on Consular issues.
These included finalization of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for repatriation of each other’s detained nationals and early release of detained fishermen.
It was agreed that more intensive implementation of provisions under the Revised Travel Arrangements (2018), relating to tourist, student and business visas, and further liberalization of visa procedures and entry and exit norms would further enhance ease of travel.
Both sides welcomed the close cooperation between law enforcement agencies to prevent terrorism, cross-border crimes, and to increase mutual legal assistance.
The next Consular Dialogue will be scheduled in New Delhi.
Over 14,000 children die in Bangladesh due to drowning every year
Marking the World Drowning Prevention Day, WHO and UNICEF on Monday called on the governments, development partners, communities and individuals each to do their part to raise awareness and work to prevent the untimely deaths of thousands of children across the country.
Each year, over 14,000 children in Bangladesh die due to drowning.
Although largely unrecognized, drowning is the second leading cause of death for children under the age of five in the country, making it a major public health problem.
“It is heart-breaking that so many lives are lost each year in this country. We know that these deaths are preventable. We urge individuals, communities and the government to join us in raising awareness and doing all we can to ensure every child’s right to survive and thrive,” said Sheldon Yett, UNICEF Representative to Bangladesh.
Globally, drowning claims the lives of over 230,000 people every year.
Nine in ten drowning cases occur in low- and middle-income countries, with children under the age of five being at the highest risk.
Read: Drowning kills 2.5 million people in last decade: WHO
In Bangladesh, where large areas of land remain submerged due to yearly floods, the absence of awareness and swimming skills can prove to be life-threatening.
Children in rural areas who grow up near bodies of water are also exposed to the risk of drowning daily.
Drowning is a significant public health concern and the third leading cause of unintentional death worldwide. Drowning is one of the leading causes of death among children in Bangladesh.
WHO recommends strategies and interventions to prevent drowning and continues to promote a multisectoral approach. By enhancing multisectoral collaboration, promoting strong leadership on drowning prevention, and implementing necessary actions, we can prevent the tragedy of drowning and achieve a safer, healthier future for all,” said Dr. Bardan Jung Rana, WHO Representative to Bangladesh.
Evidence shows that drowning is preventable through low-cost solutions. Increased awareness among families and communities, providing safety and swimming skills for children and adolescents, ensuring childcare facilities for pre-school children, and national policies and investments for prevention can make a significant difference.
In 2021, the United Nations General Assembly declared July 25 as World Drowning Prevention Day to acknowledge drowning as a leading cause of death around the world and highlight that every drowning death is preventable.
WHO and UNICEF have been working with Government and non-government partners around the country to increase awareness on drowning prevention and provide children and adolescents with safe swimming skills.
Southeast Asian MPs condemn barbaric executions of 4 political prisoners in Myanmar
The recent executions of four political prisoners at the hands of the illegal military junta in Myanmar is an act of judicial barbarism, Parliamentarians from Southeast Asia have denounced on Monday, after the state media announced that the death sentences have been carried out on an unspecified date at Insein Prison, in Yangon.
The four executed men, all charged under anti-terrorism laws, are Phyo Zeya Thaw, former lawmaker for the National League for Democracy (NLD); the prominent activist Kyaw Min Yu, widely known as ‘Ko Jimmy’; Aung Thura Zaw; and Hla Myo Aung.
These death sentences are the first known judicial executions in Myanmar since 1988, according to Amnesty International, which hitherto has considered the country as “Abolitionist in Practice”.
“These executions are nothing but appalling acts of evil committed by a brutal junta that has shown no qualms about waging a war against the Myanmar population in order to cement its power. The global community, and all ASEAN members in particular, should take these cold-blooded assassinations as yet another wake up call on the true nature of the regime of terror that the Myanmar military is attempting to impose in the country,” said Eva Sundari, former member of the House of Representatives in Indonesia and Board Member of ASEAN Parliamentarians for Human Rights (APHR).
According to the Myanmar group Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (AAPP), as of 22 July there were 76 prisoners in Myanmar sentenced to death, including two children, while 41 people have been given the death penalty in absentia.
Since the coup on 1 February 2021, at least 2114 people have been killed by the self-styled State Administration Council (SAC), led by General Min Aung Hlaing, in its campaign to suppress the widespread opposition to military rule.
Read: Myanmar executes NLD lawmaker, 3 other political opponents
These death sentences should be viewed as an attempt by the Myanmar military to provide a veneer of legality to political assassination.
Yet it is evident that these sentences were handed without fairness, by military tribunals conducting trials lacking in any respect for due process, APHR denounced.
“It is clear that these executions are made to strike fear among representatives of the democratic forces and political activists who oppose the junta . We believe that all those accused by the military junta are tried in secret, unfair and biased trials with no legal safeguards. Many political prisoners are subjected to torture and other forms of cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment, and now there are dozens of prisoners in Myanmar jails who could be executed at any moment,” said Tom Villarin, former Philippine MP and APHR Board Member.
“Not even the previous military regime, which ruled the country between 1988 and 2011, dared to carry out the death penalty against political prisoners. This means yet another increase in the junta’s brutality, which comes from a sense of impunity largely fostered by the failure of the global community to do anything effective to prevent it from committing further atrocities,” said Charles Santiago, Member of Parliament from Malaysia, and APHR Chairperson.
The executions also serve as proof that the SAC led by Min Aung Hlaing has no intention to engage in any meaningful political dialogue with the pro-democracy forces led by the National Unity Government of Myanmar (NUG). Such a dialogue, one of the key points of the Five-Point Consensus agreed by ASEAN member states and Min Aung Hlaing’s junta in April 2021, has never materialized.
The Consensus also called for an immediate cessation of violence, something that the Myanmar military, which continues shelling villages and killing protesters, has also failed to implement.
Yet the Myanmar military, in its all-out war over its people is committing “systematic and widespread human rights violations and abuses” that may amount to “war crimes and crimes against humanity,” according to the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights.
“The junta’s contempt for the agreement it signed is clear, especially considering that the announcement of these executions comes two weeks after the Special Envoy of the ASEAN Chair to Myanmar, Cambodian Foreign Minister Prak Sokhonn, visited the country. The Special Envoy, and ASEAN members, should condemn these executions, and seriously rethink their approach to the crisis in Myanmar. For starters, they should begin exerting pressure on the SAC with targeted sanctions and travel bans in the region in order to show Min Aung Hlaing and his men that they cannot commit their crimes with impunity,” said Kasit Piromya, former MP and Foreign Minister in Thailand, and APHR Board Member.
PM Hasina invited to visit Japan
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is likely to visit Japan this year as the two countries want to further strengthen the relations.
"Our Prime Minister has been invited. It will be a priority visit," State Minister for Foreign Affairs Md Shahriar Alam told reporters on Sunday after his meeting with parliamentary vice-minister for foreign affairs of Japan Honda Taro.
The State Minister said the visit will take place at a time convenient to the both sides.
Read: Japanese parliamentarian, JICA president meet FM
He termed the relations between Bangladesh and Japan very deep and comprehensive.
The two sides discussed ways to strengthen political and economic relations with continued support from Japan to Bangladesh in the post-LDC era.
They also discussed ways to expedite Rohingya repatriation efforts apart from cooperating towards mega projects.
The Japanese parliamentary vice-minister termed his meetings with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen fruitful and meaningful.
They also discussed issues related to cooperation in international fora, including the United Nations.
Japanese parliamentarian, JICA president meet FM
Honda Taro, parliamentary vice-minister for foreign affairs of Japan, and Tanaka Akihiko, president of Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), met Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen in Dhaka Sunday.
Read: Chinese envoy meets FM
At the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, both sides discussed bilateral issues of mutual interests.
They also discussed issues related to Rohingya repatriation and cooperation in international fora, including the United Nations.
Bangladesh, Kenya to partner in farming, air connectivity, blue economy
Bangladesh and Kenya have agreed to develop cooperation in contract farming, air connectivity, blue economy and food security.
The countries also want to strengthen cooperation between their investment authorities apart from exploring opportunities in technical exchanges, education sector and youth cooperation.
A 10-member delegation led by Moi Lemoshira, additional secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Kenya, joined the first foreign office consultations with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA), Bangladesh on Sunday.
The delegation will also have meetings with government agencies and apex chambers and visit export processing zones and manufacturing industries in Bangladesh. It comprises the additional secretary of the foreign ministry, the high commissioner of Kenya in New Delhi and other officials of the Kenyan government.
Read: Bangladesh, Kenya sign 2 MoUs
The consultations held at the Foreign Service Academy were presided over by Mashfee Binte Shams, secretary (east) of MoFA, and Lemoshira.
During the foreign office consultations, Lemoshira mentioned that the consultations will help identify new areas of cooperation and strengthen the existing relations.
He said apart from diplomatic ties, the necessities of augmenting relations in trade and economic areas are being increasingly felt.
Mashfee Binte Shams said there may be exchanges of knowledge and training in agriculture, IT, women empowerment and UN peacekeeping. She also highlighted the importance of the exchange of trade delegations.
The Kenyan side expressed interest to initiate cooperation between the foreign service academies of the two countries. Lemoshira emphasised establishing joint economic cooperation and signing joint trade agreements.
Both sides also pledged to continue cooperation at bilateral and multilateral platforms like the UN, the Commonwealth and the Indian Ocean Rim Association.
At the end of the meeting, Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen and Lemoshira signed agreements on bilateral political consultations and cooperation between foreign service academies.
Chinese envoy meets FM
Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh Li Jiming met Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen on Sunday at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
At the meeting, both sides discussed bilateral issues of mutual interests as well as the issue of repatriation of Rohingyas, said the MoFA.
Bangladesh, Kenya sign 2 MoUs
Bangladesh and Kenya on Sunday signed two memoranda of understanding to further strengthen cooperation between the two countries.
The two MoUs were signed on cooperation between Foreign Service Academies and Political Consultations between the Foreign Ministries of the two countries.
Bangladesh, Russia for stronger cooperation in tourism
Bangladesh and Russia are exploring ways to strengthen cooperation in the tourism sector.
A webinar titled "New horizons for Bangladesh-Russia Tourism Relationship through new dimensions of tourism cooperation with Murmansk Region" was held Saturday.
The event was organised by the Committee on Tourism of Murmansk with the support of the Russian House in Dhaka.
Abu Sufian, editor of travel magazine Vromon, and Olga Yumatova, an aide to the governor of Murmansk, moderated the webinar.
The representatives from Murmansk, Bangladesh tourism companies,and officials from both sides highlighted the natural beauty, tourist safety and potentials of their countries and shared their presentations.
Read: Moscow lauds Dhaka's commitment to friendly ties with it
Ekaterina Semenova, chargé d'affaires of the Russian Embassy in Dhaka, attended the webinar as the chief guest, and Maxim Dobrokhotov, head of the Russian House, as special guest.
MGR Nasir Majumder, director and in charge of Tourism Development of Federation of Bangladesh Chamber of Commerce and Industries, Mohammad Ali Mia, inspector general and head of Tourist Police, and Saidur Rahman, director of the Passport and Immigration Department, were also present.
Managing directors of 5-star hotels in Bangladesh and media persons also participated in the discussion.
Elena Bass, chief executive officer of Compass Tours and Travels, and Saif Ali Khan, managing director of Global Explore, working with Russia since 2017, spoke about opportunities in Bangladesh for further development of tourist exchanges.