Foreign Affairs
Canada disappointed that Bangladesh’s electoral process has ‘fallen short of’ democratic principles
Canada has said it remains “committed to support” the people of Bangladesh in their aspirations for a more stable, prosperous, and democratic future.
“Fair elections with a viable opposition, independent democratic institutions and freedom of the press are critical to ensuring a strong and healthy democracy,” said the Canadian government in a statement.
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Canada expressed its “disappointment” that this electoral process has “fallen short of” the principles of democracy and freedom upon which Bangladesh was founded, and called on the relevant authorities to work transparently with all parties to move forward towards democracy, respect of human rights and fundamental freedoms in line with the interests of the people of Bangladesh.
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Global Affairs Canada on January 9 issued the statement regarding the parliamentary election held in Bangladesh on January 7, 2024.
“Canada commends and supports the democratic aspirations of Bangladeshi citizens and condemns the acts of intimidation and violence that took place ahead and during the elections,” said the Canadian government.
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The country extended sympathy to all of those who have been affected by the violence that has occurred.
Canada was one of the first countries to recognize the independence of Bangladesh in 1971.
Timing of train burning just a day before election shows an absolute intention to hinder democratic process: Foreign Minister
Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen has said they will leave no stone unturned to identify the perpetrators of the heinous crime of setting a train on fire.
"Each and every one will be brought to justice and exemplary punishment shall be rendered to the culprit(s), according to the law of the land," he said in a statement today.
Momen said this blatant attempt to instill fear and panic among the masses is an affront to the spirit of the democracy and the enthusiastic participation of Bangladeshi citizens in the upcoming election.
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"This act of setting a train on fire, with people burning inside is characteristic of the pattern of violence that we have witnessed before as well. This has shocked the conscience of our whole society — and indeed — the whole world," he said.
When people of Bangladesh are eagerly preparing for a festive national election, a horrifying act of arson took place on the evening of January 5, 2024, when the Benapole Express train was intentionally set on fire by miscreants, Momen observed.
This deliberate and heinous act, which occurred at approximately 9 pm around Gopibag Kacha Bazar area when the train was on its way to Kamalapur Railway Station, has resulted in the deaths of four people including two children and scores were injured, he said.
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“This reprehensible incident, undoubtedly orchestrated by those with malicious intent, strikes at the very heart of our democratic values,” Momen said.
"The timing of this tragedy, just a day before the election scheduled for January 7, 2024, shows an absolute intention to hinder the festivity, safety and security of the democratic processes of the country," he said.
Momen said it is an affront to democracy, an attack on the democratic process, and a grave violation of the rights of citizens.
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"This deliberate act of setting a train on fire, where innocent passengers were subjected to unimaginable horror and forced to endure the unforgivable sight of fellow humans being burned alive, is an act of absolute abomination," the foreign minister said.
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Queen Mother Dorji Wanmgmo Wangchuckand and her Royal delegation of Bhutan made a stopover in Dhaka on Friday.
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Naheed Ezaher Khan, MP and Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen received Queen Mother Dorji Wanmgmo Wangchuckand and her Royal delegation of Bhutan during their transit at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport.
140 more Bangladeshis return home from Libya
140 more Bangladeshis return home from Libya
A fresh batch of 140 Bangladeshi citizens returned home from Libya on Thursday by a chartered flight of Buraq Air.
Among them, 113 people were affected by floods in the city of Derna in the eastern Libya and 27 were detained at Ganfouda detention centre in Benghazi, according to a foreign ministry press release.
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A flight of Buraq Air carrying the Bangladeshi nationals landed at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka at 6:30 am on Thursday, said the release,
Foreign ministry officials and officials of International Organisation for Migration (IOM) received them at the airport.
Upon their arrival at the airport, the IOM provided Tk 5,919 and some food to each of the returnees.
136 more Bangladeshis repatriated from Libya
At that time, Mostofa Jamil Khan, director (Welfare) of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, inquired about the repatriated Bangladeshis. He advised the returnees who were detained at Ganfouda detention centre to talk to neighbours and relatives about their terrible experiences in Libya.
He said that the returnees can play an important role in creating awareness about illegal migration among people.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, with the financial support of the IOM, is facilitating the return of illegal Bangladeshi migrants stranded in Libya.
145 more Bangladeshis return from Libya
As part of this initiative, a total of 975 Bangladeshis have been brought back to the country from Libya from July 2023, according to the foreign ministry press release.
All irregular Bangladeshi citizens will be repatriated from Libya soon, reads the press release.
China sees brighter future with Bangladesh: Chinese envoy to Dhaka
Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh Yao Wen on Thursday said China stands ready to further integrate development strategies with Bangladesh, deepen practical cooperation in various fields and bring the Bangladesh-China strategic partnership of cooperation to a new level.
He said that China is also keen to deliver more benefits to the people of the two countries.
"After Bangladesh’s national parliament election to be held on January 7th next year, China-Bangladesh relations and practical cooperation in various fields will develop in a wider range," he said while speaking at a seminar in Dhaka.
Beyond the bilateral level, Ambassador Yao said the Bangladesh-China cooperation would further extend to regional and international arenas and play a greater role in maintaining peace, stability and development for the sake of the entire mankind.
"Thus it calls for people from all walks of life of the two countries, including all of you present here, to cherish, care for and shape the China-Bangladesh relations," he said, adding that think tanks and scholars of the two countries can play a unique and irreplaceable role.
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The Centre for Alternatives (CA), in collaboration with the Embassy of China in Bangladesh, hosted the seminar on “National Image of China in Bangladesh.”
The keynote presentation was delivered by Dr. Imtiaz Ahmed, Professor of International Relations at the University of Dhaka and Executive Director of the Centre for Alternatives (CA).
Two speakers Dr. Sk. Tawfique M. Haque, Professor, Director, SIPG Programme, Chair, Department of Political Science and Sociology, North South University, Dhaka, and Dr. Shahab Enam Khan, Professor, Jahangirnagar University, delivered the speech.
Dr. Amena Mohsin, Professor of International Relations at the University of Dhaka, delivered the vote of thanks.
Dr. Imtiaz pointed out China’s national image among Bangladeshis, especially their socioeconomic, political, developmental, and geographical differences.
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The primary focus was on what young people were thinking about the Bangladesh-China relationship.
Dr Tawfique Haque addressed two areas the Chinese government needs to consider
regarding Bangladesh; firstly, China should clarify that its way of resolving the Rohingya crisis differs from that of other Western nations. Secondly, China should create a counter-narrative against the debt trap narrative, as Bangladeshis are still suspicious of this narrative.
Dr. Shahab Enam Khan pointed out that ‘acts of balancing’ best describe relations between Bangladesh and China. Regarding supply chain management, failing traditional international institutions and national economic priorities, Bangladesh must ensure a balanced relationship with
China and other development partners.
"We welcome and support the top minds of China and Bangladesh to further strengthen in-depth research on our bilateral relations, in particular from the perspectives of country studies, regional cooperation and geopolitics, and make valuable suggestions," said Ambassador Yao.
It is also expected that the academia of the two countries could pay closer attention to China-Bangladesh economic and trade cooperation, think about the way to cope with a series of new challenges that the two countries are facing, and propose creative suggestions for the betterment of China-Bangladesh relations under new circumstances, he said.
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Yao said that the report and relative data show a positive perception of China among Bangladesh's young people, as well as identifying several areas where China can concentrate more to improve its image in the future.
Former Ambassador Tariq Karim, former Foreign Affairs Adviser to a caretaker government Dr. Iftekhar Ahmed Chowdhury, former Foreign Secretary Shahidul Haque, Dr. Zaidi Sattar, Professor Dr. Barkat-E-Khuda also attended the seminar.
Scotland wants to hire construction workers from Bangladesh: Scottish delegation tells PM
Scotland is keen on hiring construction workers from Bangladesh, a visiting parliamentary delegation from the country told Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Monday (November 20, 2023).
This was conveyed when a six member Cross-Party Parliamentary Group (CPG) led by first- ever Bangladeshi origin MP of the Scotland Parliament Foysol Choudhury met the prime minister at her official residence Ganabhaban.
The other members of the delegation were Miles Briggs, Evelyn Tweed, Juned Hussain Chowdhury, Farhan Masud Khan and Md Lutfur Rahman.
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PM’s press secretary Ihsanul Karim briefed the reporters after the call on.
Foysol Choudhury, however, said the workers' lack of skill in English language is seen as a barrier in hiring them.
He said Scotland also wants to invest in Bangladesh's agro sector.
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PM Hasina told the delegation that through various institutions her government is providing training in language, vocational work and computer language to enhance efficiency of the outgoing manpower of the country.
The Scottish MPs highly appreciated the unprecedented development of Bangladesh in the last 15 years, said the press secretary.
They mentioned that Bangladeshi diaspora is involved in mainstream politics of Scotland and currently there are some 200 elected councillors there.
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Bangladesh Ambassador at Lagre M Ziauddin and Principal Secretary M. Tofazzel Hossain Miah were present during the meeting.
EU delegation in town to assess labour conditions
A delegation of the European Union (EU) arrived in Dhaka on Sunday to have discussions with relevant stakeholders on the country’s labour sector.
"Freshly arrived in Dhaka for EU exchanges with Bangladesh stakeholders on labour rights and human rights," EU Ambassador to Bangladesh Charles Whiteley wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter after his arrival together with some of the delegation members from Brussels.
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They visited a school for children with disabilities in Badda, Dhaka.
"Very glad to be again in Dhaka," said Deputy Managing Director for Asia and the Pacific at the European External Action Service (EEAS) Paola Pampaloni who is leading the delegation.
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They will have meetings with labour, commerce and foreign secretaries of the government on Wednesday apart from their talks with other relevant stakeholders.
The visit is aimed at taking "stock of progress" in implementing the National Action Plan for the labour sector, EU Ambassador to Bangladesh Charles Whiteley told UNB.
Bangladesh adopted a National Action Plan (2021-2026) on the labour sector and the plan is closely linked to the roadmap submitted by the government of Bangladesh to the ILO Governing Body as the result of an Article 26 complaint.
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The roadmap aims to improve the country’s observance of labour rights including freedom of association and the right to collective bargaining.
Last month, Ambassador Whiteley said aligning labour law with international standards will be an “essential element” for the European Parliament and the Commission in considering Bangladesh’s application for market access, the GSP+.
“Bangladesh has the option to accede to GSP+ which is the next most generous GSP programme after the Everything but Arms (EBA),” he said while speaking at a seminar in Dhaka.
US says it takes incidents of violence in Bangladesh very seriously, stresses importance of dialogue
The United States has said it is "closely monitoring" the electoral environment in Bangladesh leading up to January’s national election, and they take incidents of violence "very seriously".
At a regular briefing at the US Department of State on Tuesday (October 31, 2023), Spokesperson Matthew Miller said they are engaging and will continue to engage with the government, opposition, civil society, and other stakeholders to urge them to work together for the benefit of the Bangladeshi people, and to ensure free and fair elections that are conducted in a peaceful manner.
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"We do believe that dialogue is important to achieving those goals," he said.
Miller said holding of free and fair elections is the responsibility of everyone - all political parties, voters, government, civil society, and the media.
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"And what we want in Bangladesh is the same thing the Bangladeshi people want, which are free and fair elections conducted in a peaceful manner," the US State Department spokesperson said.
Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Kazi Habibul Awal on Tuesday said the Election Commission has no option except to hold election on time as per the constitution.
“The EC has to hold the election on time, no matter what the situation is,” the CEC told journalists after his meeting with US Ambassador Peter Haas.
Responding to a question, US State Department Spokesperson Miller said, “Let me just say that we have made clear that we expect the Government of Bangladesh, as we expect every government, to comply with their obligations under the Vienna Conventions for the safe protection of diplomats.”
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Committed to further enhance, diversify bilateral relations in all fields: Turkish Ambassador
Turkish Ambassador to Bangladesh, Ramis Sen, has said that Bangladesh and Türkiye have strong and deep-rooted relations and they are committed to further enhance and diversify the bilateral relations in all fields.
“We are aiming to further our bilateral trade volume, which is around USD 1.2 billion,” he said, adding that Turkish Airlines’ direct flights between Dhaka and Istanbul have been making great contributions to the promotion of the bilateral relations.
The Turkish ambassador was speaking at a reception marking the National Day of Turkey on Sunday night. Law Minister Anisul Huq also spoke at the reception as the chief guest.
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In February 2024, the two countries will celebrate the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations.
“I am also pleased that relations between our private companies have been improving and there have been some important joint investments,” said the ambassador.
At the outset, the envoy expressed gratitude and respect to Ghazi Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, the founder of the Republic of Türkiye, his comrades-in-arms and the people who lost their lives during the Turkish War of Independence. “I wish Allah’s mercy upon them.”
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“On 6th of February, this year, my country experienced a devastating earthquake. I wish to pay my tribute to Turkish citizens who lost their lives during the earthquake. I wish Allah’s mercy upon them,” he said.
‘There are no right hands to handle these wrong weapons’: Momen calls for eliminating nuclear weapons at UN
Bangladesh has emphasized the urgent need for global efforts to eliminate nuclear weapons and ensure a safer world.
“No one is safe as long as nuclear weapons exist,” Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen said while speaking at a high-level plenary meeting of the 78th Session of the UN General Assembly to commemorate the International Day for the Total Elimination of Nuclear Weapons.
Momen urged the world to stop investing in nuclear weapons proliferation and instead redirect these resources to preventing climate change, promoting sustainable development, and ensuring peace and stability.
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He said that death and destruction caused by nuclear weapons cut across borders, across generations.
“The total elimination of nuclear weapons is the only absolute guarantee against this menace,” said the foreign minister.
Dr Momen reiterated Bangladesh’s firm belief in the total elimination of nuclear weapons and its commitment to the Treaty on Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW).
He welcomed the first State Parties' meeting to the TPNW, its declaration, and a 50-point Action Plan, emphasizing the importance of full implementation by all nations, including nuclear-weapon states and nuclear-umbrella states.
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The Bangladeshi foreign minister also highlighted the risks of nuclear use, whether by intent or accident.
“There are no right hands to handle these wrong weapons,” he said.
Momen called upon the nuclear weapon states to take stringent measures to avoid the risk of nuclear weapons falling into the hands of terrorists or other unauthorized actors.
He called for increased investment in research of nuclear technology and exploration of the potentials of the peaceful use of nuclear energy for the benefit of humankind.
The foreign minister called for a global culture of peace, renewed efforts towards a nuclear-free world, and the resumption of disarmament negotiations.
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The high-level plenary meeting to commemorate and promote the International Day for the Total Elimination of Nuclear Weapons was held on September 26 at the United Nations General Assembly in New York, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.