Month: December 2022

Parbatya Chattagram Jana Sanghati Samiti (PCJSS) Vice President and former lawmaker Ushatan Talukder said on Friday that there is no security of life of the people living in the hill tracts when he also demanded the full execution of the treaty.

He came up with the remarks while addressing as chief guest at a rally organised to mark the 25 years of ‘Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT) Peace Accord’ at Rangamati Gymnasium Ground. PCJSS organised the rally.

Urging all the ethnic minority groups to be united to realise their rights, he said the hill tracts accord is not an economic issue, rather it is a political issue, which will have to be faced politically in a peaceful manner.

“The government is heading towards a wrong path with the hilly regions, the government created KNF to stand against the PCJSS”, he said.

Addressing the emergence of the militants in the hilly disrtricts, he alleged that the KNF is giving training to the militants who ultimately will hatch conspiracy against the country.

Read: 25th anniversary of CHT Peace Accord : Militant activities new challenge after emergence of Kuki-Chin National Front

The full implementation of the peace accord has been impeded due to bureaucratic complexities and other tactics despite passing of 25 years of the deal, he alleged.

The government lacks sincerity in implementing the deal inked with PCJSS, and for that the land commission is yet to start their works thoroughly, he said.

He urged the government to be more sincere to implement the longstanding accord for the betterment of the people in the region.

With PCJSS Rangamati President Gongha Manik Chakma in the chair, Jubo Union Central President Khan Masuduzzaman, Chattogram Regional President of Bangladesh Adibasi Forum Prokriti Ranjan Chakma also spoke.

Marking 25 years of the treaty, a colourful procession was brought out from Rangamati College premises.

Brigadier General Imtiaz Uddin inaugurated the rally by releasing balloons and freeing pigeons at the college.

Alongside the Rangamati, the anniversary was also observed in Khargrachhari.

Read: 25th anniversary of CHT Peace Treaty on Friday

Different programmes were arranged in the three hilly districts on Friday marking the anniversary.

A colourful rally, arranged by Khagrachhari Hill District Parishad, was brought out from the Zila Parishad premises following a discussion meeting on CHT treaty, peace and development.

On December 2, 1997, the PCJSS signed the peace deal with the then Awami League government led by Sheikh Hasina.

Then Jatiya Sangsad Chief Whip Abul Hasnat Abdullah signed the agreement on behalf of the government while Jyotirindriyo Bodhipriyo Larma alias Shantu Larma signed on behalf of PCJSS.

Source: United News of Bangladesh

Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari has said the breakup of the country that led to the creation of Bangladesh in 1971 was a “military failure”.

The “debacle had created many challenges” for the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) led by his grandfather Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, he added.

Read more: Work together to keep 1971 legacy alive: Indian envoy at ‘Maitri Alumni Reunion’

Bilawal, also PPP chairman, made the comments on Wednesday at the Nishtar Park rally, organised to mark the 55th Foundation Day of his party, days after former army chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa called the “East Pakistan loss a political failure.”

“When Zulfikar Ali Bhutto took over the government, the people were broken and had lost all hope,” he was quoted as saying by the Dawn newspaper.

“But he rebuilt the nation, restored the confidence of the people and finally brought our 90,000 troops back home who had been made prisoners of war due to ‘military failure.’ Those 90,000 soldiers were reunited with their families. And that all was made possible due to politics of hope… of unity… and inclusion,” Bilawal added.

Read more: Imran Khan accuses Pak army of recreating 1971-like situation

Days before his retirement, General Qamar rejected that 92,000 Pakistani soldiers surrendered in the 1971 Liberation War of Bangladesh.

Qamar said: “I want to correct the record. The fall of East Pakistan was not a military but a political failure. The number of fighting soldiers was not 92,000, it was rather only 34,000, the rest were from various government departments.”

Source: United News of Bangladesh

Bangladesh will observe the International Day of Persons with Disabilities on Saturday aiming to promote an understanding of disability issues and mobilize support for the dignity, rights and wellbeing of the people with special needs.

This year the day’s theme is ‘Transformative solutions for inclusive development: the role of innovation in fuelling an accessible and equitable world.’

President Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Thursday issued separate messages on the occasion of the 31st international day and 24th national day of persons with disabilities.

The president in his message said the people with disabilities are an integral part of society. It is not possible to achieve the overall success of sustainable development goals by excluding them, he said.

“In order to exploit the talent and skills of the people with disabilities for the country’s development, it is absolutely necessary to provide them with proper care and training,” said Hamid, adding that the government is very serious about their welfare and their inclusion in the mainstream of development.

Read more: Work together for inclusive, sustainable world for all: UN

He appreciated the government’s initiatives to provide them with allowances, education stipends, integrated disability education programmes, therapy services and construction of sports complexes under the social safety net.

“I hope that all concerned will be more sincere in facilitating the welfare of the people with disabilities and their participation in development activities,” he said.

He extended his greetings and congratulations to all the people with special needs in the country, their families, organisations and agencies working for their welfare.

The president urged the concerned private institutions, charity, local and foreign organizations and civil society alongside the government to come forward for ensuring their participation in various family and social events for the mental development of the differently-abled people and to improve their lives.

In her message the prime minister extended her sincere greetings and congratulations to all the people with special needs staying in Bangladesh and the entire world.

She urged the people from all stages of the society and the charity, local and international organisations to work together alongside the government for the overall development of the persons with disabilities.

“The Awami League government is determined to engage the people with disabilities in development activities,” she said.

Hasina said her daughter Saima Wazed Putul has been working tirelessly to improve the life of the people with special needs in the world including Bangladesh. “We’ll make the future world a welfare one for people with disabilities or special needs, where they would get an easier life thanks to the development of new technologies,” she said.

She said the promise of improving the life of the people with disabilities was made in the election manifesto of Bangladesh Awami League.

“People with disabilities are an integral part of our society. The overall development of the state is not possible without them,” said the PM focusing on her government’s programmes for the welfare of the differently-abled people.

In order to transform them into skilled manpower, the government has been implementing many development programmes on different issues including providing healthcare, education and training and creating employment through the National Disabled Development Foundation under the Social Welfare Ministry, she said.

The PM said they launched a total of 103 disability service and assistance centres in 64 districts and 39 upazilas of the country to provide one-stop service to people with disabilities and autism.

She said the government is conducting activities through 45 mobile rehabilitation therapy vans with the aim of reaching the doorsteps of the people with disabilities in remote areas.

The PM said the government is running 74 intellectually disabled and 12 special schools for children with autism across the country to open the way for the education of the disabled children.

Read more: Int’l Youth Day: TIB for suitable environment to utilise youths for development

As a symbol of empowerment of disabled people, her government constructed a 15-storied Multipurpose Disabled Complex (Suvarna Bhaban) at a cost of some Tk 100 crores in Mirpur, Dhaka, she said.

The prime minister said an international standard sports complex is under construction in Savar on the outskirts of the capital at a cost of some Tk 447 crore to motivate the disabled people in sports and cultural activities.

The annual observance of the International Day of Persons with Disabilities (IDPD) on 3 December was proclaimed in 1992 by the United Nations General Assembly resolution.

Source: United News of Bangladesh

Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Kazi Habibul Awal on Thursday said the Election Commission will take action against 133 officials for their negligence in duty during Gaibandha-5 by-election.

The CEC made the remark during a briefing at the Election Commission building in Dhaka.

Gaibandha-5 by-election was suspended amid allegations of “malpractices” on October 12 this year.

“A returning officer conducts the whole election. It his routine duty to visit the polling centres as many times as possible. But he neglected his duties. He visited the centres with Deputy Commissioners and Police Supers when the CEC informed him about the irregularities over telephone,” he said.

He also said the returning officer was supposed to visit and check to ensure that all activities were being carried out according to law and take immediate initiative to prevent any unwanted incident.

“But he absolutely failed to perform their duties. He did not find any irregularities in the electoral area. When the CEC was about to take the decision to suspend the election, the returning officer suspended the voting of a centre to demonstrate his performance,” he said.

Read more: Gaibandha-5 by-election: Wait for a decision, says CEC

Had he performed his duties properly, it would have been possible to prevent the irregularities in the early stage, CEC Awal said, Daily News.

The CEC also said that the EC Secretary has been instructed to take action against the accused returning officer.

Gaibandha-5 by election will be held in due time according to the constitution, he added.

Earlier, the CEC extended the deadline for holding the Gaibandha-5 polls till January 30.

According to the constitution, if any constituency falls vacant then the position must be filled within 90 days through an election.

Read more: ‘Gaibandha by-election was an isolated case’: Election Commissioner

Following the death of Gaibandha-5 lawmaker and Deputy Speaker of the Parliament Fazle Rabbi Miah on July 22, 2022, it became a constitutional obligation to hold election for the parliamentary seat by October 20, 2022. But the EC cancelled the election because of “widespread malpractices” on the election day on October 12.

Source: United News of Bangladesh

As part of its ongoing ‘16 Days of Activism’ campaign against gender-based violence, Zonta Club of Greater Dhaka conducted a handful of activities on Monday in the capital’s Baridhara.

The activities included tree plantation in the Baridhara Lake Park, which was followed by a special rickshaw rally.

Zonta Club of Greater Dhaka executives and members joined the activities alongside the local rickshaw pullers wearing orange dresses, as a unity against violence against women and children.

Read more: Zonta Club of Greater Dhaka launches 16-days activism campaign against gender-based violence

16-days of activism: Zonta Club of Greater Dhaka conducts tree plantation, rickshaw rally in the city

Starting from November 25, the campaign will feature several events and activities on eradicating violence against women and girls in society and advancing women’s rights, continuing till December 10, the International Human Rights Day, Daily News.

Zonta Club of Greater Dhaka’s President Tehmina Enayet, Zonta District 25 Lieutenant Governor Dr Zareen Delawar Hussain, Vice President (1) Sonya Panni, Vice President (2) Maliha Chaudhury, former President Dr Simeen M Akhtar, Greater Dhaka Advocacy Chair and former President Nehreen Rahman Tootli, UN Committee member Tangida Sohni Hanfi, Secretary Samia Ahmed, Greater Dhaka Service Committee member Jasmin Faruk and other distinguished club members joined the event, to name a few.

16-days of activism: Zonta Club of Greater Dhaka conducts tree plantation, rickshaw rally in the city

“Today we united for tree plantation and rickshaw rally as part of our “16 Days of Activism” campaign, as we are vowing for women’s rights and advocating for gender equality and raising voices against child marriage and gender-based violence.” Tehmina Enayet, a renowned entrepreneur, connoisseur of art and Zonta Club of Greater Dhaka’s President, told UNB.

She also thanked the government for establishing many opportunities and ensuring education access for women and children across the nation. “Our honorable Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has implemented many significant policies to eliminate gender-based violence in the society; and we, the Zonitans, are trying to follow in her noble footsteps,” she said.

Read more: Zonta International to launch 16-day activism campaign on ‘Violence Against Women’ from Nov 25

16-days of activism: Zonta Club of Greater Dhaka conducts tree plantation, rickshaw rally in the city

“Our unity and fight is against all kinds of gender-based violence and oppressions in our society, and we joined together to express awareness among all social classes through these types of activities,” Greater Dhaka Advocacy Chair and former President Nehreen Rahman Tootli told UNB.

As part of the campaign activities during this campaign, several other activities are also in the pipeline. There will be a special radio program on Tuesday which will be joined by Nehreen Rahman Tootli and Tehmina Enayet, a special procession with placards and banners on the roadside of the Gulshan Avenue front side of Azad Mosque on next Saturday.

16-days of activism: Zonta Club of Greater Dhaka conducts tree plantation, rickshaw rally in the city

On Sunday, the members will visit the Zonta Club’s flagship partner school Sporsho’s Children’s Day event, in which visually challenged students will have a reading session through the Braille Book sponsored by Zonta Club of Greater Dhaka. The club members will be exchanging views on topics including early child marriage and “Good Touch –Bad Touch” with the students and then participate in a cultural show with the children.

Read more: Zonta Club of Greater Dhaka launches 16-day activism campaign on child marriage, gender-based violence

On Tuesday, there will be several events including a video screening session with the children of Zonta Club Greater Dhaka members at its President’s residence at the capital’s Baridhara. The session will screen videos on climate change, early child Marriage, and sexual abuse with younger girls in Bangladesh, followed by a candlelight rally by club members.

The series of events will come to an end on December 9, Friday, with a special art workshop by two eminent artists and 10 students of Mayer Doa School, on the theme of early child marriage and the rights of girl children in society at the same venue.

Source: United News of Bangladesh