AK Abdul Momen
India can reap benefits of Bangladesh’s connectivity outlook: Momen
Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen on Monday said Bangladesh is positioned to be a “regional connectivity hub” and India being the closest neighbour can reap the benefits of the connectivity outlook, as envisioned by the Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
Momen also mentioned about the actions taken by Hasina and her government for exerting “zero tolerance” towards terrorism, radicalism and insurgency, which ultimately paved the way in establishing “peace and stability” of the North Eastern states of India.
During his meeting with the foreign minister, Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Pranay K. Verma said India, under its Presidency of G20, expects active participation of Bangladesh in the G20 meetings to promote the issues of mutual interest in the global discourse.
The foreign minister reaffirmed that Bangladesh considers India as the closest and the most important neighbour and termed the relations as “solid and unique one.”
Momen underscored the exemplary economic growth of Bangladesh under the dynamic leadership of the PM Hasina and added that Bangladesh’s economic development is complementing the economic development of India in many ways.
Read: Phone Conversation: Momen, Lavrov want to take Dhaka-Moscow relations to greater heights
With regard to the Indo-Pacific region, Momen stressed the need for international rules and norms based on free and fair connectivity amongst the countries of the region.
The Indian high commissioner said working in Bangladesh is a matter of honour and privilege and reiterated his commitment to work on the issues of mutual interest for further strengthening the excellent relations existing between the two countries.
He stressed on working together in the multilateral arena in supporting the candidatures floated by either country.
He urged all concerned to work towards bringing the border killings to zero, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Both the foreign minister and the high commissioner emphasized increasing the engagements between Bangladesh and Indian North Eastern region to invigorate the connectivity and age-old relationship.
Momen emphasized that more than 1.1 million forcibly displaced Rohingyas from Myanmar are being sheltered by Bangladesh.
Read: Momen ‘surprised’ to see his name as chief guest at Bay of Bengal Conversation 2022 opening
HC dismisses writ petition seeking FM Momen's disqualification
The High Court on Monday dismissed a writ petition challenging the legality of AK Abdul Momen holding the office of the Foreign Minister.
The HC bench of Justice Md Mojibur Rahman Mia and Justice Kazi Md Ejarul Haque Akondo dismissed the petition saying that such writ petition has no merit.
Advocate Mostafizur Rahman Ahad and Advocate Ershad Hossain Rashed appeared for the petitioner while Attorney General AM Amin Uddin, Deputy Attorney General Arvind Kumar Roy, Assistant Attorney General Mohammad Abbas Uddin and Samsun Nahar Laiju for the state.
Read more: Legal notice served seeking FM Momen’s resignation in 48 hrs
On September 5, on behalf of SC advocate Md Ershad Hossain Rashed, lawyer Mostafizur Rahman Ahad filed the petition in the High Court.
The foreign minister, cabinet secretary, secretary of parliament secretariat were made respondents to this writ petition.
On August 21, SC lawyer Ershad sent a legal notice to the foreign minister urging him to step down within 48 hours for violating the Constitution over his "controversial comments".
Read more: Bangladesh not turning into Sri Lanka : FM
At a Janmashtami programme in Chattogram on August 18, Momen reportedly said that he had urged the Indian government to back Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina so that she can stay in power.
After much criticism over this statement, the FM provided an explanation the next day, saying that he had requested the Indian government to help the Bangladesh PM maintain the stability of her government.
‘Reports misquoting me tried to create adverse situation between Bangladesh, US’
Bangladesh Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen has said that he feels journalists of the country “have weaknesses and lack maturity” when reporting.
The minister said this after paying homage to Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman at his mausoleum in Tungipara this afternoon.
Talking about the media “misquoting” him recently, Momen said that the headlines used were “false and imaginary”.
Read: Momen misquoted by media: MoFA
“Media outlets including print, electronic and online published news with false headlines that the USA ‘a war-mongering country’, which I didn’t say. The headings had no connection with what I actually said. I think our journalists have weaknesses and I’ll be happy if they gain maturity,” Momen said.
Momen added that the reports “misquoting him” put Bangladesh in an awkward position and the US may get a wrong impression about the country and this government.
“Through misrepresenting the facts, our journalists have tried to create an adverse situation between the US and Bangladesh. Either these journalists didn’t know Bangla properly, or they had done this with specific reasons. They need to research why such low quality journalism prevails in the country,” Momen added.
Read Momen in NY: No specific info given by US on Rab sanctions
The foreign minister further said that journalism in Bangladesh doesn’t have the standards, moral and ethical values it used to have in the past.
“It’s a shame for those journalists who wrote those false stories,” Momen said.
Momen said he was misquoted on October 26 by some media outlets after he spoke at the seminar on "Sheikh Hasina at the United Nations", organised by the Progressive Columnist Forum of Bangladesh at Jatiya Press Club in the capital.
Read Momen meets Lavrov, pitches for stronger international support for resolving Rohingya crisis
Later, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) issued a rejoinder, saying that misleading and baseless news quoting Foreign Minister Momen sent a wrong message to the people and the government of the US.
Momen meets Lavrov, pitches for stronger international support for resolving Rohingya crisis
Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen had a brief discussion with his Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov on the sidelines of the 6th Summit of the Conference on Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia (CICA) in Kazakhstan's Astana Thursday.
Momen informed Lavrov about the current situation of the Rohingya crisis and stressed the need for stronger international support for resolving the issue.
Read: Bangladesh shows interest in contributing to Kyrgyzstan's pharmaceutical sector
Momen in NY: No specific info given by US on Rab sanctions
Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen has said the US government provided no specific information to Bangladesh about putting sanctions on Rapid Action Battalion (RAB), and some of its top current and former officials.
He said this in reply to a question during a media briefing on Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s programmes during the 77th UNGA in New York on Tuesday.
Read:Myanmar’s shelling inside Bangladesh “unintentional mistake”, Momen says in NY
The foreign minister said that the Bangladesh government repeatedly sought information on the sanctions the US imposed on Rab and its current, former officials last December for alleged rights abuse.
“Still, they have not given any correct and specific information. So, we do not know. Besides, the US has a habit of imposing sanctions on different countries,” he said.
Read: Momen, Canadian High Commissioner welcome formation of CBAA
The minister praised Rab for combating terrorism in the country.
In this regard, he said there has been no terrorist incident in the country after the Holey Artisan attack on July 1, 2016. “That was the last one,” he added, He also said that PM Hasina demonstrates zero tolerance towards terrorism.
Read US sanctions outcome of USD 100 million project: IGP
Up to PM to decide whether Momen will remain foreign minister or not: Quader
It is up to the prime minister to decide whether AK Abdul Momen will remain the foreign minister or not, Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader said today (September 7, 2022).
The minister made the remark while speaking at a programme organised by Bangladesh Secretariat Reporter’s Forum (BSRF) at the Secretariat in Dhaka.
The foreign minister is also “a human being and he can be unwell”, Quader added.
Read: Lawyer moves SC seeking Momen's disqualification
“I have no authority to say whether he will remain a minister or not… He said certain things a few days ago that were a slip of the tongue. The jurisdiction (to decide whether Momen will retain his post) belongs to the Prime Minister,” he said.
Besides, the foreign minister does not always have to accompany the prime minister during every state visit, said Quader.
“Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi also visited here, was (the India) foreign minister with him?” he asked.
Read:Momen not in PM’s entourage in India, cited “illness” as reason: Official
BSRF general secretary Masudul Haque presided over the dialogue chaired by its president Tapan Biswas.
On Monday, Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen did not accompany Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina during her India visit citing “illness”.
At the invitation of Indian PM Narendra Modi, Bangladesh PM Hasina is on a state visit to New Delhi from September 5-8.
Read 2 tubes of Bangabandhu Tunnel likely to open this Oct, Nov: Quader
Hasina, now in New Delhi, is visiting India after three years.
Lawyer moves SC seeking Momen's disqualification
A writ petition has been filed in the Supreme Court, challenging the legality of AK Abdul Momen holding the office of the Foreign Minister.
On behalf of SC advocate Md Ershad Hossain Rashed, lawyer Mostafizur Rahman Ahad filed the petition in the High Court division of the top court on Tuesday.
A High Court bench, led by Justice Md Mojibur Rahman Mia, is likely to hear the petition, said Mostafizur.
On August 21, SC lawyer Ershad sent a legal notice to the Foreign Minister urging him to step down within 48 hours for violating the Constitution over his "controversial remarks".
Also read: Legal notice served seeking FM Momen’s resignation in 48 hrs
"As I did not receive any response from the Foreign Minister, I decided to file the writ petition," Ershad said.
The cabinet secretary, secretary of parliament secretariat, and the foreign minister has been made respondents to this writ petition.
The petition is enlisted in the court’s cause list for Wednesday, he said.
Also read: Momen not accompanying PM in India: Dipu Moni questions media’s use of “dropped”
At a Janmashtami programme in Chattogram on Thursday, Momen reportedly said that he had urged the Indian government to back Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina so that she can stay in power.
After much criticism over this statement, the FM provided an explanation the next day, saying that he had requested the Indian government to help the Bangladesh PM maintain the stability of her government.
FM reiterates Dhaka’s call for repatriation of Rohingyas
Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen on Thursday reiterated Dhaka’s call for smooth repatriation of the Rohingyas to their place of origin in Rakhine State ending their plights and miseries.
Apart from seeking international community’s support, he said Bangladesh is also talking to Myanmar on good faith as Myanmar has expressed its willingness for repatriation of the Rohingyas.
The foreign minister also sought genuine efforts to create an environment conducive to repatriation of the Rohingyas to Myanmar.
He was speaking as the chief guest at a seminar titled “Rohingya Crisis: The Pathways to Repatriation” at the Foreign Service Academy organized by the Centre for Genocide Studies (CGS), University of Dhaka.
Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen delivered the opening remarks while Director, Centre for Genocide Studies Professor Imtiaz Ahmed presented keynote paper.
The protracted Rohingya crisis has stepped into another year without a single Rohingya repatriated to their homeland.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs in a media release said the international community should focus on creating a safe and conducive situation on the ground in northern Rakhine and the smooth conduct of repatriation and reintegration to the Myanmar society for the Rohingyas.
“The Rohingya crisis is not a bilateral issue. Its origin and solution lies in Myanmar,” MoFA said on the fifth anniversary of the forced displacement of Rohingyas to Bangladesh.
Bangladesh tried to arrange safe, sustainable and voluntary repatriation of the Rohingya to Rakhine State through negotiations with Myanmar following the bilateral instruments.
“Unfortunately, not a single Rohingya could return to Myanmar yet for the non-committal attitude of Myanmar towards their obligation enshrined to the bilateral mechanisms,” MoFA said.
Due to the frustrating development on the bilateral front in commencing the repatriation, Bangladesh involves friendly countries to assist their repatriation.
Starting their safe, sustainable, voluntary repatriation to their homeland Rakhine State as early as possible should be a priority through dialogue and discussion, Bangladesh says.
Bangladesh says the UN and the partners must undertake tangible actions and projects to create a conducive environment with safety and security.
“ASEAN can take the lead role in such engagements. The presence of ASEAN and international actors in the Rakhine state can help to reduce the trust deficit between Rohingya and Nay Pyi Taw and help confidence building that is essential for smooth repatriation,” according to the MoFA release.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina saved the world from a “humane catastrophe” in 2017 by sheltering these persecuted people.
“If the crisis is not resolved quickly, it may create a security problem for the region and beyond. The government is trying its best to ensure early repatriation of the displaced Rohingyas,” MoFA said.
Return to their homeland is also the aspiration of the displaced Rohingya population and they are receiving education, food, shelter, health care and other services in Bangladesh.
“They participate in skill development activities to enhance their livelihood opportunities in Rakhine once they return,” MoFA said.
Earlier, United Nations Special Envoy of the Secretary-General on Myanmar Noeleen Heyzer said it is critical that the international community continues to seek comprehensive, durable and inclusive solutions to the Rohingya crisis.
“We cannot let this become a forgotten crisis,” said Special Envoy Heyzer in a statement who also attended the seminar.
On the five-year mark of the forced mass displacement of Rohingya from Myanmar’s Rakhine State, Bangladesh continues to show “great generosity and leadership” in hosting refugees, which requires renewed international attention and equitable burden-sharing by countries in the region and beyond, she said on Thursday.
In their productive discussions, the Special Envoy thanked Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina for her leadership and expressed the United Nations’ deep appreciation to the people and government of Bangladesh for their immense contribution.
“I will continue to advocate for greater leadership of countries in the region in supporting Bangladesh and leveraging their influence with Myanmar to create conducive conditions for the voluntary, safe and dignified return of refugees,” she said.
Read: Rohingya Repatriation: Momen urges Western leaders to impose economic sanctions on Myanmar
She also highlighted Bangladesh’s pivotal role in working with the ASEAN.
“The generosity of Bangladesh and host communities towards Rohingya refugees in their time of need conveys a critical need for greater international and regional commitment to burden share and ensure that the Rohingya do not become forgotten,” Heyzer said.
She highlighted the major pressures on Bangladesh as host of one of the largest refugee populations in the world, which has been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic and climate change.
On the other hand, foreign missions stationed in Dhaka said they will continue to pursue a long-term solution to the Rohingya crisis and its causes.
"Five years on, the international community stands resolute in solidarity in its support for Rohingya and Bangladesh," reads a joint statement by the embassies and high commissions in Dhaka on Thursday.
The signatories are Australian High Commission in Dhaka, British High Commission, High Commission of Canada, Embassy of Denmark, European Union Delegation to Bangladesh, Embassy of France, German Embassy, Embassy of Italy, Kingdom of the Netherlands Embassy, Royal Norwegian Embassy, Embassy of Spain, Embassy of Sweden, Embassy of Switzerland and Embassy of the United States of America in Bangladesh.
The foreign missions in their joint statement said they will continue to work together with the Government of Bangladesh, the UN, and international and national partners, to ensure that Rohingya refugees receive humanitarian assistance, protection and education.
"We underline the importance of Rohingya’s ability to live safe, purposeful and dignified lives whilst they are in Bangladesh and support the efforts to prepare them for return to Myanmar, once conditions allow."
Momen is none of AL central committee: Hasan
Information Minister Hasan Mahmud on Sunday said since foreign minister AK Abdul Momen is none of Awami League’s central committee, the party give him no responsibility to advocate for it in the foreign lands.
“He is an MP of Awami League but none of the party’s central committee. So, Bangladesh Awami League has not given that responsibility to anyone (him) to say something on behalf of the party going abroad,” he said while exchanging views with journalists in his ministry here in the capital.
Hasan, also an AL joint general secretary, said this when his attention was drawn to the comments of AL presidium member Abdur Rahman that Momen is none of the party and his recent statement (seeking Indian support for Sheikh Hasina) is not the party’s stance.
Also read: Momen comments: AL expects PM to formally look into it
Hasan said they believe in the power of the people. “We believe that none but the people can sustain the government,” he said.
He said the party is not responsible if someone shares his personal views with someone. “If someone talks to someone, it is his responsibility. Neither the government nor the party gave him any such responsibility,” he added.
"I think if you are in a responsible position, you need to speak responsibly,” he continued.
Hasan claimed that BNP doesn’t believe in the power of the people, rather curries favour with the European Union, the United States and China regularly to come in power. “In this country, no one can put someone in power,” he said.
Also read: Momen's India remarks have no link with AL: Quader
In reply to a question if there is any initiative to bring back BNP leader Tarique Rahman to the country, the minister said Tarique has been convicted with life-term imprisonment in the August 21 grenade attack case. “We continue talks with the United Kingdom. But they have some domestic laws where there are complexities (to bring him back),” he added.
Momen urges youth to work hard to achieve ‘Sonar Bangla’
Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen has called upon the young generation to use time effectively and work hard to attain ‘Sonar Bangla’ as dreamt by Father of The Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.
Momen made the call at an event organized by ‘Ghashful’, an organization of children and adolescents, at the auditorium of the Liberation War museum as the chief guest on Saturday.
“Bangabandhu bestowed the responsibility of achieving Sonar Bangla on all of us. We’ve to work hard until this goal is achieved. The road isn’t smooth but we can do it as we are a victorious nation,” said Momen.
Momen added that the Prime Minister has provided a roadmap to turn Bangladesh into a prosperous nation.
“If we follow the roadmap properly, we’ll be able to establish ‘Sonar Bangla’ within 2041. Sonar Bangla means a Bangladesh which is developed, resourceful, stable and secular. Sonar Bangla is a place where there won’t be any difference between the rich and the poor, where basic needs of people including food, clothing, accommodation, education and treatment are ensured,” Momen added.
Read: Momen explains what he meant by 'heaven'
The event was presided over by Founder of Ghashful and President of its central committee Hasan Abdullah Biplob.
Valiant freedom fighters Lieutenant Colonel (Retired) M Abdur Rauf Bir Bikram and Major (Retired) Wakar Hasan Bir Bikram spoke at the event as special guests.