United News of Bangladesh

BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman has said democracy is not just about holding elections but about ensuring people’s freedom and fundamental rights. In a message issued on Thursday marking Shaheed Jihad Day and the 30th anniversary of the martyrdom of Nazir Uddin Ahmed Jihad, Tarique, however, said fair and credible elections are essential to keep democracy alive. “Free and fair elections must be held to maintain the stream of democracy. Democracy does not mean elections alone as it means ensuring the freedom and fundamental rights of the people,” Tarique said. He said the nation must resist all conspiracies by local and foreign evil forces, safeguard the country's independence and sovereignty and restore true democratic being inspired by the sacrifice of Shaheed Jihad. The BNP leader said the sacrifice of Shaheed Nazir Uddin Jihad, an ‘undaunted soldier’ of the anti-autocracy movement in the 1990s, will remain unforgettable in Bangladesh’s political history. Jihad, a Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD) activist from Ullapara upazila in Sirajganj, was shot dead by police in Dhaka on October 10, 1990, during the mass movement that led to the fall of military ruler Hussain Muhammad Ershad. Tarique said Jihad sacrificed his life to restore democracy, freedom of expression and press freedom in the country.  He said Jihad, while playing a leading role in the anti-autocracy uprising of the 1990s, took a police bullet to his chest and embraced martyrdom as a fearless student leader. The BNP leader noted that the blood of Jihad and others paved the way for the mass uprising that year, which led to the fall of autocrat Ershad. Sheltering an ‘autocrat’ is India’s choice: Tarique Rahman “The 1990 mass uprising that brought down the autocratic ruler was built upon his blood. He became a symbol of courage and sacrifice for democracy,” Tarique said. He said autocratic ruler HM Ershad tried to destroy democracy, and Jihad sacrificed his life with a firm determination to restore democracy and place it on a solid foundation. The BNP leader said if the dream for which Jihad sacrificed his life is not realised, his soul will remain in pain. “On the occasion of Shaheed Jihad Day, I pay my deepest respects to the memory of Shaheed Nazir Uddin Jihad, the fearless soldier of the anti-autocracy movement. I pray for the eternal peace of his soul,” he said. Will return home soon, join election, Tarique tells BBC Bangla In a separate message, BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir also paid deep tribute to Shaheed Jihad, saying his sacrifice paved the way for the fall of Ershad’s autocratic regime and the restoration of democratic rule. Fakhrul said establishing democratic values at every level of the state and society would be the best way to honour Jihad’s memory and sacrifice.

Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen has conveyed the European Ambassadors stationed in Dhaka that freedom without responsibility may result in social chaos and indiscipline.    For example, he said, in the name of freedom of choice, no one is allowed to open assault rifle to kill people in a crowded mall or at a public school, neither one is allowed to incite or provoke people with fabricated stories to lawlessness.    He said the government always considers the freedom of press as an important tool for effective governance in a democratic society. "There’s complete freedom of speech and media," said the Foreign Minister.    Foreign Minister Dr Momen held a meeting through videoconferencing with the Ambassadors of Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, The Netherlands, Norway, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, and the European Union Delegation in Dhaka on Wednesday and discussed the issue.    As the envoys raised the issue of freedom of press, the Foreign Minister agreed with them about the importance of ensuring freedom of press and freedom of expression.    He said there are nearly 33 private TV channels, hundreds of dailies plus a flood of online services which many countries even in Europe do not have.    COVID-19 in Rohingya Camps    On the issue of the concern of COVID-19 being spread in the Rohingya camps in Cox’s Bazar, Dr Momen assured the Ambassadors that the government is taking all the necessary steps to ensure that the pandemic is contained, and there is minimal spread of COVID-19 in the Rohingya camps.    On the issue of cellphone network in the Rohingya camps, Dr Momen explained that the functionaries would be able to access the internet and 4G services from their offices and accommodations.    The government has to downgrade 4G services in the camp area for security reasons to stop drug trafficking, stop trafficking of women and children, provoking people to create lawlessness and stop blue films, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.    They, however, have 2G services which is enough for day-to-day communications. Besides, for 4G facility, Rohingyas cannot afford to buy cellphone sets as these are 5-10 times more expensive vis-a-vis 2G cellphone sets.    He assured that the government would always protect the Rohingyas who have taken shelter in Bangladesh.    Dr Momen stressed that providing shelter to Rohingyas was not the responsibility of Bangladesh alone.    He called upon the Ambassadors to share the burden of providing better life and living for persecuted Rohingyas in their own countries or relocate and settle them in third countries.   Dr Momen said almost three years have passed and although Myanmar agreed to take them back, not a single Rohingya went back home yet.    He appealed to them to exert more pressure on Myanmar for their safe repatriation.    The EU Ambassadors reiterated their appreciation for the humanitarian gesture by Bangladesh for the cause of the Rohingyas.   Partnership with EU   Dr Momen reiterated that EU members are Bangladesh's longstanding reliable development partners and if they have any issue, they are most welcome to share those with the government.    He, however, reminded them that Bangladesh’s per capita income is around 2,000 US dollars with a density of population around 1200 per sq. mile.    "Our situation is different to that of the EU where their per capita income is around 50,000 dollars and density of population is as low as 15 per sq. mile. Therefore, one must be pragmatic," he said.   At the meeting, the Foreign Minister briefed the Ambassadors of the EU Member States about the steps taken by Bangladesh in addressing the challenges of COVID-9.    The Ambassadors appreciated the initiatives by the government to contain the pandemic, and offered helps of their countries in overcoming the challenge.   The Ambassadors informed that the EU would offer 334 million Euros to Bangladesh in the coming days, with 103 million or 1/3rd of that amount to be channeled through the Economic Relations Division of the Ministry of Finance.    The Foreign Minister thanked them for the support, and emphasised that it is important to ensure transparency and accountability of the aid activities carried out by the development partners.    He said the countries should disclose publicly their spending so that tax-payers know where their tax money is being spent.

Cairo, Sep 19(AP/UNB) — On her daily walks from home to her job at a primary school in the city of Port Sudan, Khalda Saber would urge people to join the protests against the three-decade rule of Sudan's autocratic President Omar al-Bashir.