foreign-affairs
BGMEA seeks 10-yr extension of GSP in Swiss market
Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association has requested Switzerland to consider an extension of the EBA (Everything but Arms) scheme under its GSP programme for 10 years to help Bangladesh's smoother transition to a developing economy.
Ambassador of Switzerland to Bangladesh Nathalie Chuard, accompanied by Thomas Baumgartner, Head of Political, Economic, and Cultural Affairs met the President of BGMEA Faruque Hassan at the latter’s office in the city on Tuesday and discussed the trade issues.
Read BGMEA wants continuation of 0.5 per cent source tax
BGMEA's first Vice President Syed Nazrul Islam, and Vice President Md. Shahidullah Azim attended the meeting.
The discussions covered issues pertinent to the readymade garment industry in Bangladesh and its progress in the area of social and environmental sustainability.
Also read: BGMEA chief underlines importance of enhanced productivity
IOM ramps up health response as 2nd wave of COVID-19 hits Cox’s Bazar
The International Organization for Migration (IOM) has said it is working closely with the Government and the humanitarian community to ramp up the delivery of a wide range of support services for Rohingyas and host communities in Cox's Bazar district to fight Covid-19.
“It is imperative to strengthen our assistance and not let the situation deteriorate any further before it becomes impossible for the existing healthcare services to cope,” said Manuel Marques Pereira, IOM Deputy Chief of Mission in Bangladesh.
A second wave of COVID-19 is ravaging South Asia, including Bangladesh, said IOM on Tuesday.
Following an upsurge in COVID-19 cases in May, local authorities imposed a strict lockdown in five Rohingya refugee camps in the Teknaf and Ukhiya sub-districts in Cox’s Bazar.
Preparations for the vaccination campaign for the over 900,000 Rohingyas living in the camps are ongoing, but a launch date has yet to be confirmed, IOM said.
To enhance surveillance and early detection, since early 2020, IOM has been running two severe acute respiratory infections treatment centres inside the refugee camps.
Also read: Preparedness strengthened ahead of cyclone, monsoon season in Cox's Bazar: IOM
Following the Government and Health Sector’s recommendations this May, IOM quickly scaled up their capacity from 120 beds to 173.
The two health centres, along with 10 other health facilities, collect samples from suspected COVID-19 patients and provide counselling on prevention and treatment.
Samples are transported for testing to Cox’s Bazar’s official laboratory within the Institute of Epidemiology Disease Control and Research(IEDCR),with the results expected within 48 hours.
In May alone, 2,293 samples were collected from these facilities and transported for analysis, 133 patients whose tests were positive were subsequently admitted and 73 contacts were quarantined. Since the beginning of the response, these facilities have admitted close to 900 patients.
To improve early diagnosis and surveillance, IOM has recently opened six additional COVID-19 sentinel sample collection sites, in collaboration with the World Health Organization.
Also read: 160 Bangladeshi migrants return from Libya with IOM support
To this end, 15 health care workers, including six medical officers, seven medical assistants, one midwife and one nurse were extensively trained on COVID-19 sample collection, transportation and biosafety.
IOM is part of the Rapid Investigation and Response Team set up by the Health Sector to follow up on the identification of COVID-19 cases and contact tracing in the camps.
Since the beginning of the pandemic, these teams have been implementing the awareness campaign “No Mask, No Entry” mobilizing all service providers to ensure COVID-19 prevention measures are respected at humanitarian service points.
As part of its infection prevention and control measures, IOM also operates three ambulance decontamination facilities to minimize the risk of transmission among staff and beneficiaries.
Additionally, teams regularly distribute personal protection equipment to IOM-supported health facilities.
A quarantine facility with 93 shelters for contacts of COVID-19 cases has also recently been established within the camps. This facility, which offers food, health check-ups, and referrals to other support services, has so far quarantined 114 contacts.
Also read: S Korea provides US$ 1 mn to IOM to support Rohingyas affected in recent fire
As part of IOM’s risk communication and community engagement activities, 350 community health workers regularly conduct health promotion sessions through household visits and courtyard sessions.
Additionally, a dedicated dispatch and referral unit is responsible for transporting COVID-19 suspected and confirmed cases, the deceased and discharged individuals.
To further alleviate the patients’ distress and concerns, IOM mental health and psychosocial support teams based in health facilities assist all COVID-19 patients with individual counselling focusing on the impact of the pandemic, psychosocial well-being and coping strategies.
Dedicated support for IOM’s COVID-19 response in Cox’s Bazar is provided by the EU Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid (ECHO), the U.S. State Department’s Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration (PRM), Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT), the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), and the World Bank.
Advanced Covid clinical management course launched for doctors
A web-based advanced Covid-19 clinical management course has been launched for Bangladeshi doctors considering the Covid-19 situation.
Health Minister Zahid Maleque on Monday night launched the course, developed by Brown University, USA, based on their internationally renowned course curricula.
The course is aligned with Bangladesh’s national case management and critical care guidelines, and was reviewed and endorsed by a working group of national experts under the leadership of the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS).
Read:Pfizer, Sinopharm shots to start June 19: Health Minister
This free self-learning, pre-recorded course with videos and interactive modules is meant for doctors in Bangladesh who are involved in Covid-19 clinical case management.
It is developed with support from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), the US government’s leading development agency.
Zahid Maleque thanked everyone involved in the development of this online course.
“In recent days, we’re witnessing an escalation of Covid-19 cases. To address this, and as part of our preparedness, this collaborative training course will help all government and private physicians working at the sub-district, district, and tertiary level hospitals to have the best evidence-based clinical knowledge on Covid-19 in Bangladesh," he said.
Bangabandhu Lounge opened at Bangladesh Permanent Mission at UN
Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen has inaugurated the newly established Bangabandhu Lounge at the Bangladesh Permanent Mission at the United Nations (UN) in New York.
The lounge has been set up marking the observance of Bangabandhu’s birth centenary.
Read:UN appreciates Dhaka’s proposal for showcasing women in peacekeeping
“The lounge houses a rich collection of books, photos, documentaries, and graphical displays on the life and work of the Father of the Nation. It demonstrates Bangabandhu’s trust and faith in multilateralism; particularly the UN,” said Dr Momen on Monday.
UN appreciates Dhaka’s proposal for showcasing women in peacekeeping
The United Nations has welcomed the proposal of Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen to invest in strategic communications showcasing women in peacekeeping in an effort to increase their participation in peacekeeping.
Dr Momen met UN Under Secretary General (Department of Operational Support) Atul Khare in New York on Monday and discussed the issue.
Read:Bangabandhu Lounge opened at Bangladesh Permanent Mission at UN
During the meeting, the Foreign Minister reiterated Bangladesh's commitment to peacekeeping and thanked the Under Secretary General for their support to Bangladesh, especially for including Bangladesh Biman to transport the peacekeepers to the field.
USG Khare expressed his deep appreciation to Bangladesh for their contribution to peacekeeping.
He appreciated Bangladesh for its leadership in implementing the UN's environmental strategy in the field.
Khare also praised Bangladesh's readiness to deploy peacekeepers with enabling assets.
Read:Violence, neglect increase for older persons during lockdown: UN expert
Violence, neglect increase for older persons during lockdown: UN expert
Lockdown measures resulted in increases in gender-based violence and higher risks of violence, abuse and neglect of older persons confined with family members and caregivers globally, said a UN expert on Monday.
Violence, abuse and neglect of older persons have been brought into sharp focus during the COVID-19 pandemic.
To mark World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, Claudia Mahler, the Independent Expert on the enjoyment of all human rights of older persons, said distressing reports from care homes in different parts of the world showed neglect, isolation and lack of adequate services, including healthcare, social and legal services.
READ: Brac to work on protecting employees from exploitation, abuse
"Older persons must not be left behind when seeking redress and remedies," she said in a statement.
The UN expert urged States to adopt a binding international human rights instrument, as well as national legislation and measures, to ensure access to justice for older persons with full respect of their autonomy.
"This should include the provision of legal aid, dedicated counselling and support services, diverse and age-appropriate formats to share information about rights and legal complaints mechanisms, reduction or exemption of litigation fees, and improved accessibility.”
Despite widespread alarm over the situation of older persons during the pandemic, she said the challenges and barriers to seek effective redress and remedies have received little attention.
On the contrary, some disturbing practices were reported with care homes being given immunity from civil liability for COVID-19 related deaths and putting in place contractual clauses that waive the right to file a court case and make arbitration the only option for alleged abuse or mistreatment.
READ: Another abused woman returns from KSA with baby boy
Elsewhere, older persons and their families expressed despair and frustration with the lack of transparency and responsiveness to complaints raised with aged care services providers.
These developments undermine older persons’ access to justice and to an effective remedy. Older persons are rights holders whose dignity and rights do not have an expiration date in later life, said the UN expert.
Bangladesh to host V20 Climate Vulnerables Finance Summit in July
The government of Bangladesh has announced it will host the first-ever virtual V20 Climate Vulnerables Finance Summit on July 8.
The Summit will feature Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, heads of state from Climate Vulnerable Forum member countries, and V20, or the twenty most vulnerable countries' finance ministers, to mobilize significantly more robust economic and finance responses to the spiraling dual crisis that increasingly affects the world’s most vulnerable economies.
READ Climate action: BYLC holds World Environment Day Creative Competition
In close cooperation with the United Nations, the IMF, and key development partners, the high-level dialogue will shape globally cooperative responses to ensure fast-tracked resilience-building efforts to overcome the new realities of tandem climate and COVID pressures through bold new actions and partnerships. The Summit will be chaired by A H M Mustafa Kamal, Finance Minister of Bangladesh, and co-hosted with the Global Center on Adaptation, said an announcement made on Monday.
The government of Bangladesh is currently chair of the Climate Vulnerable Forum and the V20 Group of Finance Ministers.
Read Shammi Quddus: A Talented Bangladeshi Woman in Google, Global Fintech Industry
After the Summit, the V20 will issue a Communique highlighting expectations on the upcoming UNFCCC COP26 and global climate finance. Formed in 2015, the V20 Group of Finance Ministers is a dedicated cooperation initiative of economies systematically vulnerable to climate change. It is currently chaired by the People’s Republic of Bangladesh.
The V20 membership stands at 48 economies including Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Barbados, Bhutan, Burkina Faso, Cambodia, Colombia, Comoros, Costa Rica, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Dominican Republic, Ethiopia, Fiji, The Gambia, Ghana, Grenada, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, Kenya, Kiribati, Lebanon, Madagascar, Malawi, Maldives, Marshall Islands, Mongolia, Morocco, Nepal, Niger, Palau, Palestine, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Rwanda, Saint Lucia, Samoa, Senegal, South Sudan, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Tanzania, Timor-Leste, Tunisia, Tuvalu, Vanuatu, Viet Nam, and Yemen.
READ: Climate Change to get priority in Bangladesh alongside Covid support:ADB
Kushtia triple murder case: ASI confesses before court
Soumen Kumar Roy, the suspended assistant sub-inspector of police confessed to shooting his wife, her child and a young man to death in a statement before a court on Monday.
The victims of the gruesome crime were Soumen’s wife Asma Khatun, son Robin and bKash agent Shakil Khan who were killed in broad daylight in Kushtia city.
Soumen, the lone accused in the triple murder case, confessed under Section 164 in the court of Kushtia Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate Enamul Haque.
READ: Triple murder in Kushtia: Case filed against ASI
Later the court sent him to jail pending trial.
The policeman confessed that he had committed the crime as he could not accept the "extra-marital affair of his wife Asma with bKash agent Shakil."
He also told the court that he left his workplace without permission and came to Kushtia early Sunday from Khulna by bus and brought a service pistol and bullets with him.
He said he wanted to take Asma to Khulna, but she refused to go with him. At one stage of altercation with Asma, Soumen got furious and opened fire before gunning down seven-year-old Robin and 28-year-old Shakil.
Panicked the boy tried to run away, but Soumen caught him before shooting the boy dead.
The shootings took place at a market in the district town's PTI Road around 11 am.
As the locals came to the rescue, Soumen threatened them with his weapon. Later, people began attacking him with stones and brickbats.
The gun-wielding Soumen then threw down his weapon and locals took him into custody before turning him over to the police, according to Kushtia Model Police Station Officer-in-Charge Sabbirul Islam.
The victims were rushed to Kushtia General Hospital, where they were declared dead.
On Sunday night, Hasina Khatun, mother of Asma, filed a case over the incident with Kushtia Model Police Station, said Sabbirul Alam, officer-in-charge of the police station.
Meanwhile, the bodies of Asma, Robin and Shakil were handed over to their families midnight Sunday.
READ: Gaibandha: 8-hr strike in protest against bizman's murder
"ASI Soumen Kumar is from Magura and was assigned to Khulna's Fultala Police Station," he added. Asma's brother Hasan said her sister was Soumen's second wife.
Soumen went to Kushtia without any official authorisation and killed three people there, said Khulna Superintendent of Police Mahbub Hasan. "The ASI was not on leave. He has been suspended and legal actions will be taken against him."
Bangladesh reelected ILO Deputy member
Bangladesh has been reelected deputy member of the governing body of the International Labour Organization (ILO) from the Asia-Pacific region for the term 2021-2024.
The election was virtually held on Monday in Geneva during the ongoing 109th International Labour Conference (ILC).
This is the third consecutive victory for Bangladesh in the ILO governing body.
Also read: Bangladesh elected ILO Covid-19 Technical Committee chair
Earlier, Bangladesh had served as a deputy member for the terms 2014-2017 and 2017-2021.
Bangladesh secured the first position among the candidates of the Asia-Pacific region by bagging the highest 210 votes.
Also read: ILO lauds progress in RMG sector
A Bangladesh delegation, led by Begum Monnujan Sufian, State Minister for Labour and Employment, is virtually attending the ongoing ILC, which includes Labour Secretary KM Abdus Salam and Md Mustafizur Rahman, Bangladesh Ambassador and Permanent Representative in Geneva.
Also read: ILO, UNICEF record first increase in child labour in two decades
Bangladeshi youth shines in global yoga vlogging contest
Mansif Helali, a teenager from Bangladesh, has bagged the third position in the Youth Category of a global vlogging contest run by India's External Affairs Ministry, for his extraordinary skills in different postures of Yoga.
He received a prize including US $1000.
At an event at the High Commission of India in Dhaka on Sunday, High Commissioner Vikram K Doraiswami handed over the cheque to Mansif Helali and congratulated him in the presence of his family and officials of the High Commission.
Helali has been a student of Yoga for last 11 years.