Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen
Bangladesh wants “constructive dialogue” as UN rights chief arrives Sunday
Bangladesh will welcome UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet on Sunday and looks forward to having a “constructive dialogue” with her for the promotion and protection of human rights.
Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen will receive Bachelet at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport upon her arrival around 9am on a four-day visit, a senior official told UNB on Saturday.
The government has strongly rejected what it says the visible "politically motivated efforts" of some corners to mislead the people by showcasing the visit of the UN High Commissioner as an occasion to "put undue pressure" on the government.
"The government of Bangladesh firmly believes that politicization of the human rights agenda never helps in promoting and protecting human rights of the people; and therefore, sincere dialogue and cooperation is the pathway," said the government early Saturday.
Bachelet, who was an elected president of Chile on two occasions (2006 – 2010 and 2014 – 2018), is scheduled to meet Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Wednesday morning.
Apart from her meetings with the Cabinet Members of the government including Foreign Minister Momen on Sunday, she will interact with the National Human Rights Commission, youth representatives, CSO leaders and the academia during her stay in Dhaka.
She would also pay homage to Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman at Bangabandhu Memorial Museum on August 15.
Also, Bachelet will deliver a speech at the Bangladesh Institute of International and Strategic Studies.
Bangladesh hoped to benefit from an objective appreciation of the High Commissioner regarding the achievements of the country, despite challenges.
The top executive of the UN Human Rights body will also have the opportunity to interact with the forcibly displaced Rohingya people during her trip to Cox’s Bazar, through which she would be equipped with concrete information to press hard the agenda for the repatriation of the Rohingya to the ancestral homeland - Rakhine State of Myanmar, said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Bangladesh has been closely working with the UN in the field of human rights; and this visit would be an important occasion to highlight Bangladesh’s national perspective and the Government’s sincere efforts to protect and promote human rights of the people, including through updating domestic legal framework, creating awareness and sensitizing the implementing agencies, MoFA said.
This is indeed important that the national context, in particular the economic development amidst the pandemic and other evolving crises, the maintenance of peace and security of the people, and constraints like the Rohingya crisis and the adverse effect of climate change, are taken into due consideration in assessing the human rights situation of the country, it said.
The visiting UN High Commissioner remains well aware of the plethora of achievements of Bangladesh in the human rights domain, including through the treaty-body reporting as well as through other mechanisms, Bangladesh says.
Read: Bachelet's Visit: Bangladesh strongly rejects visible "politically motivated efforts"
Bangladesh hoped that the Chief of UN human rights mechanism would witness by herself how the country is doing miracles to keep on track their development journey; integrating human rights into it.
Despite the ongoing pandemic, no one in the country has died of starvation, said the government.
"Bangladesh, a country of 165 million, could afford to provide almost a million homes to the homeless. Over 10 million families are receiving basic food and essential supplies under its social security protection program," MoFA said.
Bangladesh is promoting basic human rights like right to food, right to accommodation, right to development etc. for the people, it mentioned.
"No one is getting killed either in shopping malls, schools or worship places in Bangladesh," MoFA said.
Earlier, State Minister for Foreign Affairs Md Shahriar Alam said: "We are eagerly waiting for the visit. She will see the progress of Bangladesh on the rights front and will also be able to know about the challenges facing it."
"They (PM Hasina and Bachelet) are very good friends," the state minister said, adding that they have experience in working together.
She will also try to understand how climate change is affecting the human rights situation in Bangladesh.
She recently indicated that she would not seek a second term for personal reasons as her term as high commissioner draws to a close.
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, Malaysia reaffirm commitment for further strengthening ties
Bangladesh and Malaysia have discussed the issues of mutual interest including recruitment of Bangladeshi workers and reaffirmed their commitment for further strengthening the excellent relations between the two brotherly countries in the days ahead.
Malaysian Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob expressed his keenness to visit Bangladesh in a mutually convenient date in a near future.
Referring to the invitation from Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to the Malaysian leader, Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen requested him to visit Bangladesh in this year of golden jubilee of bilateral relations.
PM to inaugurate new MoFA building Thursday
Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen on Tuesday said the newly constructed eight-storey building of his Ministry would help address the growing demand for space to a large extent with a modern working environment in place.
Momen visited the building ahead of its formal opening and thanked the concerned people for timely completion of the construction work.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is scheduled to inaugurate the new building of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Thursday.
The Foreign Minister also thanked the concerned people for making all the preparations for the official inauguration of the building by the Prime Minister.
Also Read: PM to inaugurate Sheikh Kamal IT Business Incubator in CUET Wednesday
Momen paid surprise visits to the building several times to see the progress of the work at different stages.
Directors General (DGs) and officials of the MoFA were present during the inspection of the building by the Foreign Minister on Tuesday.
PM Hasina likely to visit India in Sept before UNGA
Bangladesh and India are in discussion to finalise a date in early September for Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s visit to New Delhi, says Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen.
While talking to reporters at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport on Monday evening, Momen said the Bangladesh side conveyed that September first week and or a date in the first 10 days of September would be convenient.
The foreign minister, however, said the date will be finalised soon through discussion so that the visit can take place before the beginning of the UN General Assembly (UNGA).
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her Indian counterpart Narendra Modi are likely to have the bilateral talks in New Delhi on September 6, says a diplomatic source.
The 77th session of the UNGA will open on Tuesday, 13 September 2022.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has already extended an invitation to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to visit India in 2022 in commemoration of the Golden Jubilee of the establishment of diplomatic relations.
The two countries witnessed momentum in their relations last year with a series of engagements including high-level visits.
Also Read: All citizens aged 18-50 can join universal pension scheme: Cabinet clears a draft law
At the invitation of President Abdul Hamid, Indian President Ram Nath Kovind paid a State visit to Bangladesh from December 15 to 17 last year to attend the 50th Victory Day celebrations here as the guest of honour.
It was the Indian President’s maiden visit to Bangladesh and also his first visit overseas since the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Earlier, Modi paid a landmark visit to Bangladesh on March 26 and 27 last year and those visits were of “historical significance” given the 50th anniversary of the shared sacrifices of the people of the two countries during Bangladesh’s struggle for Liberation in 1971.
At the seventh round of the Bangladesh-India Joint Consultative Commission (JCC) meeting held in New Delhi on Sunday, Bangladesh and India agreed to work closely together to further deepen and strengthen cooperation in the areas of common rivers and water resources management.
The two countries also agreed to strengthen cooperation in the areas of IT and cyber security, renewable energy, agriculture and food security, sustainable trade, climate change and disaster management.
The JCC was co-chaired by Foreign Minister Momen and Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar.
Both sides reiterated the importance of safe, speedy and sustainable return of the forcibly displaced persons from the Rakhine State of Myanmar, currently being sheltered by Bangladesh, according to the joint media release issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs here.
Bangladeshi students in Hungary urged to contribute to Bangladesh’s dev
Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen has urged the Bangladesh students studying in various Hungarian Universities under the Hungaricum Stipendium Programme for engaging themselves in the socio-economic development of Bangladesh.
While addressing the Bangladeshi students at the Mathius Corvinus Collegium in Budapest on Monday, the Foreign Minister suggested the students to be inquisitive, innovative and passionate for the greater welfare of the humankind.
Also read: FM Momen rues long delay in Teesta deal with India
Deputy State Secretary for International Training Programs of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade of Hungary Miklos Lengyel and Bangladesh Ambassador to Hungary Muhammad Abdul Muhith also addressed the students.
Momen highlighted the commitments of the current government under Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina for building knowledge-based developed and prosperous nation imbued with modern and technological knowledge.
He underscored the importance of skilling up youths with appropriate knowledge and skills and suggested the students to avail the numerous opportunities in the field of science, technology and innovation to face the domestic and local challenges.
Also read:FM urges UNHCR to expedite efforts at Rohingya repatriation to Myanmar
While stating the transformation of high-tech industries in Bangladesh, the Foreign Minister suggested the students to equip them with ideas and innovations and advised them to work hard to fulfill the dream of Bangabandhu to make Bangladesh as Sonar Bangla.
The Foreign Minister appreciated the government of Hungary for providing 140 full scholarships to Bangladeshi students annually for pursuing graduation, post-graduation and PhDs in renowned Hungarian universities under the Hungaricum Stipendium Programme since 2019.
Bangladesh lost a patriotic penman following Gaffar Chy’s death: FM
Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen on Thursday expressed deep shock at the death of eminent journalist and columnist Abdul Gaffar Chowdhury who is best known for writing the lyrics of widely celebrated song commemorating the Bengali Language Movement "Amar Bhaier Rokte Rangano."
In a condolence message, the Foreign Minister said that Gaffar Chowdhury's contribution to the journalism of Bangladesh was remarkable.
Dr Momen said the contribution of Gaffar Chowdhury in establishing the status of Bangla language and his writings at different stages of the Liberation struggle especially "Amar Bhaier Rokte Rangano" is an immortal creation.
Also read:Veteran journalist Abdul Gaffar Chowdhury no more
Besides, his publication 'Joy Bangla' published during the War of Liberation has given a lot of inspiration to the freedom fighters, said the Foreign Minister.
At his death, Bangladesh lost a patriotic penman, the foreign minister said.
He prayed for the salvation of the departed soul of late Gaffar Chowdhury and conveyed his deepest condolences to the bereaved family members.
Gaffar Chowdhury died of a cardiac arrest at a hospital in London at 6:49 am (London time).
Surma, Kushiara rivers to be dredged to restore navigability: FM
The Surma and the Kushiara rivers in Sylhet will be dredged to restore their navigability and prevent floods in this area, said Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen on Wednesday.
“The government will extend all possible assistance, including relief, to alleviate the sufferings of the people of Sylhet affected by flash floods,” he said while distributing relief among the flood victims in Sylhet.
Also read: No improvement in Sylhet's flood situation
Momen said 33 shelters have already been set up for the flood-hit people in Sylhet Sadar and more shelters will be set up if necessary.
“Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has always stood by the people in any difficult time, including during natural disasters,” he added.
Rohingyas from India coming to Bangladesh: FM
Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen on Tuesday said a good number of Rohingyas are coming to Bangladesh from India through fence areas in recent times which he sees as a matter of worry.
“Unfortunately, many Rohingyas are coming to Bangladesh from India,” he told reporters, adding that those Rohingyas went to India in 2012.
Also read: Three Rohingyas who fled Bhasan Char detained, sent back
Momen said the Rohingyas who are coming after nine years have heard that they will have good food facilities in Cox’s Bazar.
He said their relatives in Cox’s Bazar apparently conveyed to the Rohingyas in India that they are living happily in Cox’s Bazar with good food supply. “As a result, they (Rohingyas) are getting into Bangladesh in groups.”
The Foreign Minister said the bad news is that they are coming through fence areas through brokers at both ends of the Bangladesh-India border.
He said recently a total of 18 Rohingyas have been detained and they are coming in groups. “We have to engage more security forces to stop them.”
Responding to a question, Momen said the government is not only seeking support from the Chinese government but also from other countries including the USA, Japan, Malaysia and Cambodia.
Also read: Dhaka seeks Seoul’s "extra initiative" for Rohingya repatriation
He said the Rohingyas should go back to Myanmar as they are Myanmar citizens. “They don’t go there but come here.”
Bangladesh is currently hosting over 1.1 million Rohingyas in Cox’s Bazar district and Bhasan Char Island.
FM to attend River Conclave in Guwahati, JCC talks in Delhi May 28-30
Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen will attend the third edition of Asian Confluence River Conclave-2022 (NADI) to be held in Guwahati on May 28-29 before holding the next round of Joint Consultation Commission (JCC) meeting with his Indian counterpart scheduled to be held in New Delhi on May 30.
“We’re in constant discussion with India. It’s good that we can raise all the issues. They’ve (India) become good friends,” he told reporters at his office on Tuesday.
A number of Indian ministers including Indian External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar are likely to attend the Asian Confluence River Conclave-2022.
Meanwhile, Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Vikram Kumar Doraiswami on Tuesday had a meeting with Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen on preparation of the JCC.
The JCC will be co-chaired by Foreign Minister Dr Momen and his Indian counterpart Dr Jaishankar. The two Foreign Ministers met in Dhaka last month and stressed on following up the decisions taken at the highest level for their effective implementation for mutual benefit.
The sixth meeting of the JCC was held on September 29, 2020. Although Dhaka was scheduled to host the meeting, due to the COVID-19 situation the meeting was held on a virtual platform.
Also read: No chance of Chinese debt trap: FM
Bangladesh and India noted that 2021 was a landmark year for the Bangladesh-India relationship as the President and Prime Minister of India visited Bangladesh in a single year and both the counties celebrated the 50th years of diplomatic ties through the joint celebration of a number of landmark events across the world.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will also visit India this year, most probably in July first week.