foreign-affairs
India remains open to travels by all nationalities
Indian High Commission in Dhaka has made it clear that India remains open to travels by all nationalities including for Bangladeshis.
The clarification came on Saturday as some "miscreants" are trying to make an old report of January this year viral on social media to confuse public to prevent normalcy in movements.
A spokesperson for the High Commission said an old story is being circulated on social media, claiming that the High Commissioner has advised Bangladeshi nationals not to visit India at this time due to rising Omicron cases.
READ: India’s Muslims mark Eid ul-Fitr amid community violence
"There is no such advisory of the Government of India and that India remains open to travel by all nationalities," said the High Commission.
The news story image is actually from an agency story of January 2022, carried by a newspaper at that time. "It is not a recent story, although it may have been downloaded again on May 6, 2022."
"It was emphasized that it was only for the reason of facilitating travel to India that all 16 India Visa Application Centres in Bangladesh were open for extra hours through the first week of May, and were even open on holidays to meet extra demand for visas," said the spokesperson for the High Commission.
7 die in India building fire
Seven people were charred to death and five others injured in a fire that broke out at a residential building in the central Indian state of Madhya Pradesh early on Saturday morning.
Officials said the blaze started around 4am in the basement of the building in Swarn Bagh colony of Madhya Pradesh's Indore city, 200 kms from state capital Bhopal, and soon engulfed the entire structure.
Five fire tenders were pressed into service and it took them nearly four hours to douse the flames.
"At the time, all the occupants of the building were fast asleep. Seven burnt bodies were recovered by the firemen from the building. Nine people were also rescued, of which five have been hospitalised," a senior fire officer told the local media.
Police claimed to have detained the building's owner Ansar Patel in connection with the fire. "He has been booked for causing death by negligence for not installing any fire safety system in the building," a police officer said.
READ: President declares disaster in New Mexico wildfire zone
Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan took to Twitter to offer his condolences.
"I pray to God to give place to the departed souls at his feet and give strength to the family members to bear this deep sorrow and to give speedy recovery to the injured," the Chief Minister tweeted.
A probe has been ordered into the fire, the fire officer said. "Preliminary probe points to an electrical short-circuit in the basement."
READ: Deadly India fire in one of thousands of illegal factories
Building fires are common in India, and are often attributed to poor maintenance and absence of basic fire safety systems. A number of people die in such fires every year.
Iconic structures in Canberra lit up in red and green
The historic John Gorton Building, Old Parliament House, and National Carillon in Canberra were illuminated in red and green from Friday evening, in celebration of the 50th anniversary of bilateral relations between Australia and Bangladesh.
On behalf of the Australian government, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and the National Capital Authority of Australia have shown this unique gesture of friendship.
The buildings will remain illuminated like this till dawn on Saturday.
Also Read: Canberra's iconic National Carillon illuminated in red, green
Enthusiastic Bangladeshi community members enjoyed the lighting with their friends and family and sought to contribute to propagating the message of friendship and partnership between Australia and Bangladesh.
US Congress introduces resolution on 50th anniversary of Bangladesh-US ties
The US Congress has introduced a bipartisan resolution commemorating the 50th anniversary of establishment of Bangladesh-US diplomatic relations.
Democratic Congressman Brian Higgins of New York introduced the resolution in the Congress recently, which has been co-sponsored by Republican Congresswoman Amata Coleman Radewagen of American Samoa.
Also read:US donates 3 million Covid vax to B'desh
The resolution was referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs, said the Bangladesh Embassy in Washington on Friday.
It highlighted that the United States and Bangladesh shared a rich and multifaceted relationship focused on cooperation on a range of issues, including economic, security, governance, and development, to advance a shared vision of a free, open, inclusive, peaceful, and secure Indo-Pacific region.
The resolution mentioned the recognition to independent Bangladesh by the United States on April 4, 1972 and subsequent acknowledgement of the recognition by then Prime Minister Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman through a letter to President Nixon on April 9, 1972.
It also recognized the joint efforts made by Bangladesh and the USA in combating COVID–19 pandemic, as well as the contributions of the two countries toward assisting Rohingyas who fled genocide in Myanmar.
The Congress resolution also cited Senator Edward Kennedy’s role in 1971 in support of Bangladesh’s independence, and President Bill Clinton's visit to Bangladesh in 2000 as the first US head of state.
Also read:Bangladesh provides medical assistance to Sri Lanka
It also mentioned President Joe Biden’s pledge made in 2021 to contribute to climate aid to Bangladesh.
The Bangladesh Embassy in the USA has welcomed the House resolution on the 50th anniversary of Bangladesh-US ties.
Bangladesh considers continuation of learning of Rohingyas under Myanmar curriculum
Bangladesh says it considers continuation of learning under Myanmar curriculum as an effort to keep the children engaged in productive and capacity building activities which would work as incentive for their early voluntary repatriation.
"Prolonged presence of a huge number of persecuted people entails serious ramification on the economy, environment, security, and socio-political stability of Bangladesh and beyond," said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in a press statement on Thursday regarding misrepresentation of Bangladesh government’s arrangement of learning facilities for the Rohingya children.
The government says it appreciates the international community's cooperation to facilitate early, sustainable, and voluntary repatriation of the Rohingya to their ancestral land in Rakhine State of Myanmar and it is also the expectation of the Rohingya.
The government of Bangladesh places great importance on ensuring access to education for all especially for girls and in a similar vein.
Also read: Rohingya boy drowns in Bay of Bengal
The government is facilitating learning activities for the Rohingya children inside the camps.
However, it is of deep concern that disinformation is being propagated about the learning facilities for the Forcibly Displaced Myanmar Nationals (FDMN) or Rohingya children when the government of Bangladesh is working with the UN agencies to gradually bring learning facilities under Myanmar curriculum, streamline the volunteer teacher’s engagement and adopting policies for their capacity building, MoFA said.
Reports of closure of learning facilities, barring teachers or students to attend there are false and fabricated, it said.
The government of Bangladesh has arranged learning scopes for the Rohingya children inside the camps through around 5617 learning facilities all of which are in operation and neither Education Sector Operators in Rohingya Camps nor UNICEF (lead agency for education) raised any concern about closing any learning facility.
The FDMN children study under the UNICEF and BRAC developed curriculum called ‘Learning Competency Framework and Approach (LCFA)’ in the camps completely free of charge. Since the end of last year, a pilot project, called Myanmar Curriculum Pilot (MCP), has been rolled out in Rohingya camps which follows Myanmar curriculum and is conducted primarily in Myanmar language.
"It would gradually replace the LCFA. UNICEF is the lead agency to roll out the Myanmar curriculum inside the camps free of charge in the learning centers in a phased manner for grades one to twelve," MoFA said.
The government bodies with the support of the UN agencies are arranging learning in accordance with Myanmar curriculum which would allow every participant to continue to be exposed to their culture, mother tongue, and national identity.
It would facilitate reintegration in their ancestral society in Rakhine State smoothly upon their voluntary return, MoFA said.
Besides, it said, students in need of special help like the disabled, or adolescent girls who face difficulties attending learning centers because of the conservative mindset of their families, can attend alternate learning facilities described as community-based learning centers.
"Learning in those centers can also take place exceptionally in the event of medical emergencies, or natural disasters."
Rohingya volunteer teachers are conducting teaching and additional volunteers are being engaged and being trained to teach the Myanmar curriculum.
The host community representatives may be recruited for subjects that cannot be taught by Rohingya volunteers under Myanmar Curriculum, MoFA said.
The government of Bangladesh and the UN is finalizing a policy to further streamline the volunteer teachers' engagement and make it more fruitful.
Also read: Perpetrators must account for vicious crimes against Rohingya: UN
"As the Myanmar curriculum rolls out at different grades, efforts should continue to ensure a standard curriculum is taught to all students, and to ensure education is provided to Rohingya refugees free of charge and no disparity is created among FDMN children in the name of education. To ensure that the government of Bangladesh discourages operation of any private coaching centers or Moktobs inside the camps where learning activities are conducted in exchange of money, does not necessarily follow the Myanmar Curriculum or is even suspected to spread ideologies with ulterior motives."
Dropout rates in the established learning centers are increasing due to the unexpected operation of those coaching centers.
Promotion of such coaching centers would turn learning into a business commodity, MoFA said.
Following the Covid-19 related global health advisories, the learning centers were suspended in the highly congested Rohingya camps and were reopened as pre-covid conditions as the corona virus situation improved.
Now all the educational facilities are running on a regular basis like other educational institutions of Bangladesh.
Besides, schools and offices remain closed on weekends and national holidays globally.
Covid-19 induced suspensions and enjoying holidays on weekends or government holidays, suspension of unauthorised business ventures in the name of education should not be treated as an effort to impede learning facilities for Rohingya children, MoFA said.
Bangladesh provides medical assistance to Sri Lanka
Noting that every country is facing challenges of its own in varied degrees, Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen on Thursday said mutual collaboration is much more essential than ever before in this trying time.
The dual impacts of Covid-19 pandemic, its resultant supply-chain disruption and the war between Russia and Ukraine have distorted the global economy, he said.
The foreign minister made the remarks while handing over medical assistance to Sri Lanka at a function held at State guesthouse Padma.
Also read: A political reckoning in Sri Lanka as debt crisis grows
"We also stand ready to extend further support to Sri Lanka in all possible ways we can," he said.
Bangladesh decided to send a significant quantity of medical supplies worth Tk 20 crores to Sri Lanka as a goodwill gesture.
Foreign Minister Momen and Health Minister Zahid Maleque handed over few boxes of medicine as a token to the Sri Lankan High Commissioner to Bangladesh Prof. Sudharshan D.S. Seneviratne.
Foreign Secretary (Senior Secretary) Masud Bin Momen and President of Bangladesh Association of Pharmaceuticals Industries (BAPI) Nazmul Hassan, MP, among others, were present.
As a friend and close neighbour, Momen said, it is also Bangladesh's privilege to stand by Sri Lanka in whatever way it can, during times of crisis.
"This is yet another demonstration that the trajectory of our bilateral relations is in the right direction," he said.
The foreign minister said this medical assistance by the government of Bangladesh to the friendly people of Sri Lanka is the expression of solidarity and friendship between the two nations when they are celebrating 50 years of diplomatic relations this year.
Over the last 50 years, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka as South Asian neighbours have been maintaining close cooperation.
"Our two countries enjoy common historical legacy, shared culture and values, similar developmental aspirations, and face identical challenges," Momen said.
He said Bangladesh appreciates the value of good relations with Sri Lanka and understands the importance of making it even more fruitful and tangible.
"Our Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman was an epitome of humanity and love for the people. Our Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, able daughter of Bangabandhu is carrying his legacy which often transcends geographical boundaries," Momen said.
Perpetrators must account for vicious crimes against Rohingya: UN
UN Special Adviser on the Prevention of Genocide Alice Wairimu Nderitu has said they must hold accountable those who perpetrated vicious crimes against the Rohingya."The Rohingya refugees that I engaged with expressed their wish to return home to Myanmar, but only when they can do so in a safe manner, with access to equal rights," she said highlighting the importance of holding accountable those who perpetrated crimes against the Rohingya.The UN under secretary general who recently visited Cox’s Bazar refugee camps said it is shocking that almost five years since the 2017 violence against the Rohingya in Myanmar, which resulted in over 7 lakh fleeing to Bangladesh, the risk of atrocity crimes, in particular genocide, facing this population in their home country remains unchanged.
Also read: Myanmar curriculum pilot reaches first 10,000 Rohingya children in Cox’s Bazar: UNICEFNderitu also met State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shahriar Alam and other government officials during her visit.
There're no real democratic societies without press freedom: Guterres
On World Press Freedom Day, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has said they honour the essential work of the media in speaking truth to power, exposing lies, and building strong, resilient institutions and societies.
"We call on governments, media organizations and technology companies everywhere to support these crucial efforts," he said in a message marking the day on Tuesday.
The United Nations is working to support journalists and media workers everywhere.
Read: Press Council sets roadmap for creating journalists' database: Info Minister
"Ten years ago, we established a Plan of Action on the Safety of Journalists, to protect media workers and end impunity for crimes committed against them," said the UN chief.
Without freedom of the press, he said, there are no real democratic societies and without freedom of the press, there is no freedom.
On World Press Freedom Day, Guterres said they shine a spotlight on the essential work of journalists and other media workers who seek transparency and accountability from those in power, often at great personal risk.
Throughout the Covid-19 pandemic, many media workers have been on the frontlines, providing accurate, science-based reporting to inform decision-makers and save lives.
"At the same time, journalists who cover climate, biodiversity and pollution have succeeded in bringing global attention to this triple planetary crisis," said the UN chief.
But the threats to the freedom of journalists and media workers are growing by the day, he said.
From global health to the climate crisis, corruption and human rights abuses, they face increased politicization of their work and attempts to silence them from many sides, Guterres said.
"Digital technology has democratized access to information. But it has also created serious challenges."
Read:UN chief says global warming goal on 'life support'
The business models of many social media platforms are based not on increasing access to accurate reporting, but on increasing engagement – which often means provoking outrage and spreading lies, Guterres said.
Media workers in war zones are threatened not only by bombs and bullets, but by the weapons of falsification and disinformation that accompany modern warfare.
"They may be attacked as the enemy, accused of espionage, detained, or killed, simply for doing their jobs," said the UN chief.
Digital technology also makes censorship even easier, he said.
Many journalists and editors around the world are at constant risk of their programmes and reports being taken offline.
"And digital technology creates new channels for oppression and abuse. Women journalists are at particular risk of online harassment and violence," Guterres said.
UNESCO found that nearly three in four women respondents had experienced online violence. Hacking and illegal surveillance also prevent journalists from doing their jobs.
The methods and tools change, but the goal of discrediting the media and covering up the truth remains the same as ever, said the UN chief.
"The results are also the same: people and societies that are unable to distinguish fact from fiction, and can be manipulated in horrifying ways," he said.
Chinese ambassador greets Bangladeshis, wishes for global peace
Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh Li Jiming has greeted Bangladeshis on the occasion of Eid-ul-Fitr which will be celebrated on Tuesday.
"Time flies. This is the third Eid-ul-Fitr since the outbreak of pandemic, which has changed the world and our lives in many ways. Fortunately, the situation is getting better now," he said in a video message.
Ambassador Jiming said Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina recently mentioned that Bangladesh has successfully controlled the pandemic and is able to continue the development trend of Bangladesh despite facing the corona.
"It makes me so inspiring and I’m proud to say that China made due contributions to this great achievement of yours," he said.
READ: US envoy greets Bangladeshis on Eid
Besides the pandemic, Ambassador Jiming said, the world is still facing instabilities and risks.
"To overcome such challenges, the Chinese President Xi Jinping recently proposed a Global Security Initiative and emphasizing the vision of common, comprehensive, cooperative and sustainable security, and work together to maintain world peace and security," he said, hoping that this vision will lead the world to a safe and harmonious future.
In his video message addressed to Bangladeshi brothers and sisters, the Ambassador said, "On behalf of the Chinese Embassy and myself, I would like to extend mywarmest greetings and best wishes to you all. Eid Mubarak!"
"May joy and health be with you and your families forever," he said extending to his sincerest wishes to his Bangladeshi brothers and sisters again.
India gets a new Army chief
General Manoj Pande on Saturday became the first officer from the Corps of Engineers to take over as the new Indian Army chief.
General Pande, who was previously the Vice Chief of the Army, succeeded General MM Naravane on his superannuation. He had earlier headed the Eastern Army Command headquartered in the city of Kolkata.
An alumnus of the coveted National Defence Academy, General Pande was commissioned in the Indian Army's Corps of Engineers way back in December 1982.
Earlier in the day, the outgoing Army chief called on Indian President Ram Nath Kovind, the commander-in-chief of the military, and the Defence Minister.
READ: New army chief SM Shafiuddin adorned with rank badge of General
"General Manoj Mukund Naravane, Chief of the Army Staff, along with his wife Smt Veena Naravane, called on President Ram Nath Kovind and First Lady Smt Savita Kovind at Rashtrapati Bhavan," the President's Office tweeted.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh also tweeted: "Wonderful meeting with Army Chief, Gen MM Naravane, who's retiring today after serving the nation for 42 yrs. His contributions as a military leader has strengthened India’s defence capabilities and preparedness."
With 1.4 million personnel, the Indian Army is the world's second-largest military force.