US
Iran protests: Solidarity rallies held in US, Europe showing int'l support
Chanting crowds marched in the streets of Berlin, Washington DC and Los Angeles on Saturday in a show of international support for demonstrators facing a violent government crackdown in Iran, sparked by the death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini in the custody of that country's morality police.
On the U.S. National Mall, thousands of women and men of all ages — wearing green, white and red, the colors of the Iran flag — shouted in rhythm. “Be scared. Be scared. We are one in this,” demonstrators yelled, before marching to the White House. “Say her name! Mahsa!”
The demonstrations, put together by grassroots organizers from around the United States, drew Iranians from across the Washington D.C. area, with some travelling down from Toronto to join the crowd.
In Los Angeles, home to the biggest population of Iranians outside of Iran, a throng of protesters formed a slow-moving procession along blocks of a closed downtown street. They chanted for the fall of Iran's government and waved hundreds of Iranian flags that turned the horizon into a undulating wave of red, white and green.
“We want freedom,” they thundered.
Shooka Scharm, an attorney who was born in the U.S. after her parents fled the Iranian revolution, was wearing a T-shirt with the slogan “Women, Life, Freedom” in English and Farsi. In Iran “women are like a second-class citizen and they are sick of it,” Scharm said.
Iran's nationwide antigovernment protest movement first focused on the country’s mandatory hijab covering for women following Amiri’s death on Sept. 16. The demonstrations there have since transformed into the greatest challenge to the Islamic Republic since the 2009 Green Movement over disputed elections. In Tehran on Saturday, more antigovernment protests took place at several universities.
Iran’s security forces have dispersed gatherings in that country with live ammunition and tear gas, killing over 200 people, including teenage girls, according to rights groups.
The Biden administration has said it condemns the brutality and repression against the citizens of Iran and that it will look for ways to impose more sanctions against the Iranian government if the violence continues.
Between chants, protesters in D.C. broke into song, singing traditional Persian music about life and freedom — all written after the revolution in 1979 brought religious fundamentalists to power in Iran. They sang one in particular in unison — “Baraye,” meaning because of, which has become the unofficial anthem of the Iran protests. The artist of that song, Shervin Hajipour, was arrested shortly after posting the song to his Instagram in late September. It accrued more than 40 million views.
“Because of women, life, freedom,” protesters sang, echoing a popular protest chant: “Azadi" — Freedom.
The movement in Iran is rooted in the same issues as in the U.S. and around the globe, said protester Samin Aayanifard, 28, who left Iran three years ago. “It’s forced hijab in Iran and here in America, after 50 years, women’s bodies are under control,” said Aayanifard, who drove from East Lansing, Michigan to join the D.C. march. She referred to rollbacks of abortion laws in the United States. “It’s about control over women’s bodies.”
Several weeks of Saturday solidarity rallies in the U.S. capital have drawn growing crowds.
In Berlin, a crowd estimated by German police at several tens of thousands turned out to show solidarity for the women and activists leading the movement for the past few weeks in Iran. The protests in Germany's capital, organized by the Woman(asterisk) Life Freedom Collective, began at the Victory Column in Berlin’s Tiergarten park and continued as a march through central Berlin.
Some demonstrators there said they had come from elsewhere in Germany and other European countries to show their support.
“It is so important for us to be here, to be the voice of the people of Iran, who are killed on the streets,” said Shakib Lolo, who is from Iran but lives in the Netherlands. “And this is not a protest anymore, this is a revolution, in Iran. And the people of the world have to see it.”
US democracy has its own flaws, says a new survey
Days after Bangladesh’s Foreign Minister Dr. AK Abdul Momen said that democracy everywhere including in the United States has ‘weaknesses’, a new survey in the US says that only about half of Americans have high confidence that votes in the upcoming midterm elections will be counted accurately.
According to the new poll by The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research, just 9% of US adults think democracy is working “extremely” or “very well,” while 52% say it’s not working well, New York-based global news agency The Associated Press (AP) has reported.
The survey says many Americans remain pessimistic about the state of US democracy and the way elected officials are chosen -- nearly two years after a divisive presidential election spurred false claims of widespread fraud and a violent attack on the US Capitol, according to AP.
In a reversal from two years ago, Republicans are now more likely than Democrats to say democracy is not working well.
Also read: Many Americans pessimistic about US democracy: AP-NORC poll
This year, 68% of Republicans feel this way compared with 32% two years ago. The share of Democrats with a sour outlook on how democracy is functioning in the US dropped from 63% to 40%, the report says.
After every presidential election, members of the losing candidate’s party can experience a letdown. The fallout from the 2020 election has been deeper, fueled by the lies from former President Donald Trump and his allies that Democrats stole the election, AP said.
The general despair over democracy comes after decades of increasing polarisation nationwide, from the presidential and congressional races down to local contests such as races for school boards.
Overall, just a quarter of US adults — including similar percentages of Republicans and Democrats — say they are optimistic about the way leaders are chosen, while 43% say they are pessimistic. An additional 31% feel neither.
Read Democracy in US has weaknesses too: Momen
The AP-NORC poll also found a large segment of Republicans, 58%, still believe Biden’s election wasn’t legitimate. That’s down slightly from 66% in July 2021.
The poll shows 47% of Americans say they have “a great deal” or “quite a bit” of confidence that the votes in the 2022 midterm elections will be counted accurately.
Confidence is highest among Democrats, 74% of whom say they’re highly confident. On the Republican side, confidence in elections is decidedly mixed: 25% have high confidence, 30% have moderate confidence and 45% have little to no confidence.
That erosion of trust comes after two years of Trump and his allies promoting lies about the 2020 presidential election and peddling conspiracy theories about voting machines.
Read Many Americans pessimistic about US democracy: AP-NORC Poll
Narratives about mailed ballots mysteriously changing vote totals have been one persistent source of misinformation. To be clear, results announced on election night are unofficial and often incomplete. It’s normal for counting to continue several days after Election Day, as mailed ballots received by their deadline are processed and added to the tally.
In 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic led to a surge of mailed balloting as voters opted to avoid crowded polling stations. A large number of those ballots slowed down the results as local election offices worked through the steps to verify the ballots and ensure they matched registered voters.
On October 11, Bangladeshi Foreign Minister criticised foreigners talking about democracy and elections in Bangladesh. He said that democracy in the US has its weaknesses.
“We do have weaknesses (in Bangladesh). But that does not mean that they have (US) the best. They have their own weaknesses,” Momen said.
Read BNP big obstacle to Bangladesh's security and democracy
The AP report echoed Momen’s points.
Gary Phelps, a 70-year-old retired truck driver in Clearwater, Minnesota, accepts Biden as president but doesn’t think he was legitimately elected, according to the AP.
Phelps told the news agency that he was concerned about voter fraud, mail ballots being received and counted after Election Day, and irregularities with some voting machines, although he acknowledged it’s based on his feeling rather than evidence.
Phelps remains concerned about the voting process and whether the tallies will be accurate. “I would hope so, but I don’t think so,” the Republican-leaning independent told the AP.
Read Govt cheating nation in name of development before democracy
US wants peaceful polls, better HR record in Bangladesh
US Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman has reaffirmed the importance of upholding human rights and holding "free, fair, and peaceful" national elections in Bangladesh.
The statement by Sherman came as she met with State Minister for Foreign Affairs Md Shahriar Alam and discussed issues of mutual interest in the US on Friday, according to a message received from the US State Department.
"I met with Bangladeshi State Minister Md Shahriar Alam and discussed the wide-ranging US-Bangladesh partnership. We also talked about human rights, the importance of free and fair elections, and Russia’s illegal attempt to seize land from Ukraine," Sherman tweeted on Saturday
The Deputy Secretary expressed condolences for the three Bangladeshi UN peacekeepers, who were killed on October 4 in the Central African Republic, said US Department of State Spokesperson Ned Price.
Sherman and Alam discussed the US-Bangladesh partnership as two countries commemorate the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations.
Referring to the US sanctions imposed on the RAB and its senior officials, the State Minister urged the US government to withdraw the sanctions as soon as possible, according to a media statement received from the Embassy of Bangladesh in Washington,
Deputy Secretary Sherman reiterated on continued collaboration with Bangladesh on its fight against terrorism and violent extremism, it said.
Noting the progress made in the labour sector in Bangladesh, Deputy Secretary Sherman stressed upon strengthening cooperation between the two countries to increase bilateral trade.
The war in Ukraine, the issues of food and energy security and the next parliamentary election in Bangladesh were also discussed at the meeting, it said.
The State Minister urged the US government to expedite the deportation of Bangabanhu's killer Rashed Chowdhury to Bangladesh mentioning that the issue was of utmost importance to the people of Bangladesh and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina herself.
State Minister Alam also emphasised the conclusion of an extradition treaty between Bangladesh and the USA as early as possible.
The State Minister thanked the US government for extending tremendous support to Bangladesh by delivering nearly 88 million COVID-19 vaccine doses to fight the pandemic.
He also expressed his sincere appreciation for the US humanitarian support to the Rohingya in Bangladesh and the US efforts to ensure repatriation of Rohingya to Myanmar.
He also sought the US support at the WTO on the LDC-related matters so that countries like Bangladesh could attain a smooth and sustainable LDC graduation.
The State Minister expressed his government's willingness to work more closely with the US on climate change and migration.
He drew the US attention for an action-oriented discussion on the issue of loss and damage in the upcoming COP-27.
Sherman, meanwhile, lauded the contribution of Bangladeshi peacekeepers in global peacekeeping.
She was also appreciative of Bangladesh's high COVID-19 vaccination rate and measures undertaken by the government to fight and contain the pandemic.
The Deputy Secretary appreciated Bangladesh's leadership role in climate change and encouraged Bangladesh to join the Global Methane Pledge prior to COP27.
Later on Friday, Rear Admiral Eileen Laubacher, Special Assistant to the US President and incoming Senior Director for South Asia at the White House National Security Council, paid a courtesy call on the State Minister at the Bangladesh Embassy in Washington.
Apple’s iPhone 14 now being assembled in India
US technology giant Apple has said it started assembling its iPhone 14 in India, world's second-largest smartphone market, to shift some production away from China.
Apple partner Foxconn, which makes the majority of the world's iPhones, is producing the device at its Sriperumbudur factory near Chennai, marking the first time the company has shifted production from China to India this quickly after the launch of a new iPhone.
The Cupertino-based giant began locally assembling smartphones in India in 2017, but those were older models.
The marquee device will go on sale in India later this year, according to TechCrunch.
JPMorgan said this month that Apple will move 5 percent of its global iPhone 14 production to India by late 2022, and could move 25 percent of its entire iPhone production line to the country by 2025.
As part of their "China-plus one" or "China-plus two" strategy, major companies are now looking at India.
Apple, which still relies heavily on China for the majority of iPhone production, is seeking alternatives as Xi Jinping's administration clashes with the US government and imposes lockdowns, hurting economic activities.
Read: Price Drop: Is it the right time to buy an iPhone 13?
The presence of the foreign production giants, coupled with ample labour resources and competitive labour costs, make India a desirable location, JP Morgan said.
Also, the country has attracted investments from Apple manufacturing partners Foxconn and Wistron in recent years by offering lucrative subsidies.
Many hope Apple will make its handsets affordable in India as the company expands its manufacturing capacity in the country.
The base iPhone 14 model, which is priced at $799 in the US, costs 79,900 Indian rupees ($980); the entry iPhone Pro Max model costs $1,717 in India, compared to its $1,099 sticker price in the US, according to TechCrunch.
US announces over $170 million in humanitarian assistance for Rohingyas
The US has announced over $170 million in additional humanitarian assistance for Rohingyas inside and outside Myanmar as well as for host communities in Bangladesh.
"With this new funding, our total assistance in response to the Rohingya refugee crisis has reached nearly $1.9 billion since August 2017, when over 740,000 Rohingya were forced to flee to safety in Cox's Bazar, Bangladesh," US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Thursday.
The assistance comes about a month after the UN refugee agency said the funding to help Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh was well short of needs.
More than a million Rohingya are living in squalid camps in southern Bangladesh comprising the world's largest refugee settlement.
The new round of US humanitarian assistance includes more than $93 million through the State Department and more than $77 million through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), Blinken said.
About $138 million was allocated specifically for programmes in Bangladesh to provide life-sustaining support to the Rohingyas, many of whom are survivors of a campaign of genocide and crimes against humanity and ethnic cleansing, and 540,000 host community members, according to the State Department.
"Recognising that conditions in Myanmar do not currently allow for the safe, voluntary, dignified, and sustainable return and reintegration of displaced Rohingyas, we are working with the government of Bangladesh, Rohingyas, and people within Myanmar towards finding solutions to the crisis," Blinken said.
The latest support will enable the provision of food, safe drinking water, health care, protection, education, shelter, and psychosocial support, the US government said.
The US urged other donors to contribute robustly to the humanitarian response and increase support to those driven by and affected by violence in Myanmar.
Also read: Japan, UNHCR sign $3.5 million partnership deal for protection of Rohingyas in Bangladesh
PM to US businessmen: Tap into Bangladesh’s liberal investment policy
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Thursday invited US businessmen to invest in several sectors of Bangladesh and tap into its liberal investment policy.
“I would like to invite US investors to invest in renewable energy, shipbuilding, automobile, pharmaceuticals, heavy machinery, chemical fertilizers, ICT, marine resources, medical equipment, and COVID-19 vaccine manufacturing in Bangladesh,” she said.
The premier made the call while delivering a speech at the high-level policy roundtable arranged by the US–Bangladesh Business Council at Lotte New York Palace Hotel.
She said Bangladesh has a liberal investment policy, which includes foreign investment protection, tax holiday, remittances of royalty; unrestricted exit policy; full repatriation of dividends, capital on exit and other facilities.
“Distinguished business leaders, let us once again join our hands for a mutually inclusive partnership for sustainable economic growth,” said Sheikh Hasina.
She said Bangladesh is setting up 100 special economic zones (SEZs) and several hi-tech parks in different parts of the country. Having more than 600,000 freelancing IT professionals, Bangladesh is the right destination for IT investments, she added.
“Moreover, skilled human resources at a competitive wage is an added advantage in Bangladesh. Even if required, we would be happy to offer a dedicated ‘Special Economic Zone’ for US investors. I believe, US- Bangladesh Business Council can play a significant role in this direction,” she continued.
Noting that Bangladesh will graduate from LDC status by 2026, the PM said, the country needs adequate support to enhance global competitiveness and export basket. “I am sure that the United States can be our most robust partner in this challenging endeavor,” she said.
Sheikh Hasina said that Bangladesh is a pioneer in South Asia for regional connectivity. The strategic location offers tremendous potential to be an economic hub of the region.
““… Bangladesh is in the middle of a combined market of 4 billion people. Technology and innovation are the keys for fast-track economic growth. Thus, Bangladesh has become the second largest RMG exporter, third-largest producer of vegetables; fourth largest producer of rice; and fifth largest producer of inland fisheries in the world,” she said.
She said Bangladesh would consistently pursue economic diplomacy with its neighbors and global players, including the United States. “We’re continuously improving our physical, legal, and financial infrastructures and enhanced connectivity in the country,” she added.
The premier said completion of the Padma Multipurpose Bridge has enhanced both domestic and regional connectivity, while Dhaka Metro Rail is expected to open in December 2022, which would add faster domestic mobility.
She said Bangladesh achieved an exemplary socio-economic stride in the last 13 years, particularly in the fields of women empowerment, poverty alleviation, nutrition, maternal and child health, primary education, and ICT.
She said the Bangladesh government recognises the necessity of ensuring labour rights in the country. ILO Roadmap provides a clear plan of actions and timeline to address the concerns and suggests remedial measures in the labour sector.
“My government is adequately engaged with the United States and other development partners for continuous improvements in this sector,” she said.
The PM informed that 121 million people received at least two doses of COVID-19 vaccines in Bangladesh. “Thus, our economy has shown great resilience in the face of the pandemic,” she added.
She deeply appreciated the US government for donating more than 75 million COVID-19 vaccines to Bangladesh through COVAX.
Also read: PM Hasina invites US president to visit Bangladesh
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
US pledges more support to Bangladesh’s anti-graft body
US Ambassador to Bangladesh Peter Haas on Wednesday paid a courtesy call on chairman of the Anti-Corruption Commission Mohammad Moinuddin Abdullah.
The ambassador was accompanied by Scott Brandom, political and economic secretary of the US Embassy and Sara Edwards, legal resident advisor of the US Department of Justice.
The ACC chairman briefed the US diplomats about the context of the creation of the anti-graft watchdog, its pre- and post-operations, the various reform programmes undertaken so far, the laws and regulations related to anti-corruption and prevention.
The chairman thanked the US Embassy and the US government for help in training Bangladeshi officials on anti-corruption since 2016.
In the meeting, the chairman hoped that training co-operation will continue in the activities of the newly created Digital Forensic Lab and in increasing the skills of the officers related to it.
Read:ACC holds mass hearing against 42 govt agencies
Also, the US ambassador told the commission that the 20th international anti-corruption conference to be held from December 6 to December 10 will be attended by representatives of various levels of international anti-corruption organizations from all over the world.
He highlighted the importance of participation in this conference to prevent corruption and requested the commission to participate in it by sending a representative of the Anti-Corruption Commission.
He said US government will continue to cooperate with the ACC on the issue of money laundering.
The commission chairman thanked the US for supporting the ACC for building institutional capacity
"Remarkable efficiency": US lauds Bangladesh’s success in Covid-19 management
US Ambassador to Bangladesh Peter Haas on Tuesday highly appreciated the Covid-19 management and vaccination programme of Bangladesh, saying this is a "remarkable efficiency" and "really amazing".
He said that US wants to make partnership with Bangladesh in "Global Covid Action Plan" on working out future situation of the pandemic.
"A US-Bangladesh ministerial-level special session, along with other stake holders, would be held on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly," said Haas.
Read: PM Hasina visits British High Commission to pay tribute to Queen
"Bangladesh is clearly ahead of the United States in vaccination programmes under the leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. This is really amazing and the efficiency is remarkable," he said.
The envoy made these remarks when he paid a courtesy call on Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina at her official residence Ganabhaban here.
Briefing the press Prime Minister’s Deputy Press Secretary Hasan Jahid Tusher said that Haas appreciated transformation of Bangladesh under the leadership of Hasina saying, "it is really exciting".
In this connection, he also mentioned that Bangladesh graduated to a developing nation from LDCs under Hasina's leadership. "It will continue to uplift further," he believed.
Regarding the success in tackling Covid-19 pandemic, the premier said her party and associate organisations handled the pandemic situation efficiently from the beginning by working around the clock during which they raised awareness, served the patients and distributed medicines and oxygen.
She said when the vaccine has become available, her government has provided first, second and booster doses free of cost to the people. Now, the government is administering vaccine to the children, she added.
In this connection, she said that she formed a committee under the Prime Minister's office to coordinate with the other ministries and stake holders for handling Covid-19 vaccination scheme, which worked really well.
Read: PM felicitates UK’s new king, looks forward to excellent friendship
Sheikh Hasina said that she herself communicated with all at that time.
She expressed her sincere gratefulness to the US President Joe Biden for contributing vaccine to Bangladesh. "Please convey my thanks to the President," she told the ambassador.
Mentioning that people are suffering due to Covid-19, Russia-Ukraine war and western sanctions, Sheikh Hasina said that they are trying to work for the people with full affordability.
Regarding the graduation from LDC, she said her government, after winning the election in 2008, had taken different measures to uplift Bangladesh to a developing nation. "Despite the setback of Covid-19, Russina-Ukraine war and sanctions, Bangladesh will continue to uplift."
To this end, the premier also highlighted the measures taken by her government for the marginalised people in the society in changing their fates.
Hasina said that her government is working following the footsteps of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman to change the fate of marginalised people.
Ambassador-at-large Mohammad Ziauddin and Prime Minister's Principal Secretary Ahmad Kaikaus, among others, were present.
We set the stage for next 50 years of ties: US Ambassador after meeting PM Hasina
US Ambassador to Bangladesh Peter Haas has said his country “looks forward to growing its defense cooperation” with Bangladesh in addition to deepening ties between the two countries on key fronts.
“I’m excited about the possibilities for collaboration on the economy, development, public health, security, and climate change,” he said after his meeting today (September 13, 2022) with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
They discussed Bangladesh’s successes and the two countries’ strong bilateral partnership over the past 50 years.
Read: 81,000 textbooks, funded by Japan, handed over at Cox’s Bazar Rohingya camp
“We set the stage for our nations’ next 50 years of ties,” said the US Embassy quoting Ambassador Haas.
The Ambassador and the Prime Minister discussed 50 years of partnership between the United States and Bangladesh and ways the countries can deepen this partnership.
“We discussed our cooperation on a range of topics, including economic development, security, climate change, Rohingya refugee assistance, and COVID-19,” Ambassador Haas said.
He acknowledged Bangladesh’s remarkable economic progress, its leadership in climate change, its generosity in sheltering Rohingya refugees, and its tremendous contribution to global peacekeeping operations.
Ambassador Haas reaffirmed the United States’ continued support of Rohingya refugees and Bangladeshi host communities.
Read: “Bangladesh suffering from greenhouse gas impact caused by the developed world”
“During our meeting, I told the Prime Minister that I think one of our proudest joint achievements was in how we worked together to respond to the COVID-19 crisis,” said Ambassador Haas.
“I commend Bangladesh’s effort to vaccinate over 70 percent of its entire population” he added.
The United States has donated nearly 88 million COVID-19 vaccine doses, contributed over $140 million in COVID-19 related development and humanitarian assistance, and collaborated closely with Bangladesh to distribute this assistance throughout the country.