The U.N. Security Council passed a resolution on Monday demanding an immediate ceasefire in Gaza for the duration of the Islamic holy month of Ramadan as well as the unconditional release of all hostages. The resolution, which passed to widespread applause, is the first to be approved by all U.N. Security Council members after four previous attempts during the past five months of war. The U.S., which vetoed three previous resolutions and put forward its own failed proposal last week, abstained. U.N. Security Council resolutions are binding on member states, though it remains unclear how it will be enforced. Despite some efforts to take U.S. edits to the resolution into account, U.S. ambassador to the U.N. Linda Thomas-Greenfield said that the U.S. “did not agree with everything in the resolution,” most notably its failure to include explicit condemnation of Hamas. “For that reason, we were unfortunately not able to vote yes.” The U.S.’s decision to abstain from the resolution comes amid heightened tensions between the Biden Administration and the Israeli government, the latter of which has been unwilling to heed international calls for greater humanitarian access to Gaza, where experts warn that famine is imminent. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has also rebuffed the Biden administration’s warnings against launching a ground invasion on Gaza’s southernmost city of Rafah, where more than 1 million Palestinians are currently sheltering. Although President Biden invited an Israeli delegation to Washington this week to discuss alternative approaches to a ground invasion, Netanyahu threatened to cancel those meetings if the U.S. didn’t veto the resolution. After the resolution passed, Netanyahu’s office announced that the delegation would not leave for Washington as scheduled. White House spokesperson John Kirby told reporters that the Biden Administration is "very disappointed about Netanyahu's decision not to send his advisers for talks at the White House about the Rafah operation." While human-rights organizations have praised the resolution’s passage, many of them, such as the International Rescue Committee, continue to call for a sustained ceasefire beyond Ramadan, which is due to end in just two weeks. Source: Time  

The UN chief says the Security Council's authority has been undermined by its inability to take action on conflicts. He called for the body to be reformed United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Monday deplored what he said were inadequate responses to the conflicts in Gaza and Ukraine by the Security Council, saying its authority had been "perhaps fatally" undermined.  Speaking at the opening of the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva, Guterres said the Security Council was often "unable to act on the most significant peace and security issues of our time." What else did Guterres say? "The Council's lack of unity on Russia's invasion of Ukraine, and on Israel's military operations in Gaza following the horrific terror attacks by Hamas on 7 October, has severely — perhaps fatally — undermined its authority," he said. "The Council needs serious reform to its composition and working methods." Russia, a permanent member of the Security Council, has used its veto right to block several resolutions calling for Moscow to stop its invasion, or those condemning its "annexations" of Ukrainian regions.  The United States last week again vetoed a draft UN Security Council resolution demanding an immediate humanitarian cease-fire in Israel's offensive against Gaza. Washington said the resolution would interfere with negotiations on a deal to release hostages. It was the third US veto of a draft resolution since the start of the current fighting on October 7.

Bangladesh has been elected as a member of International Maritime Organization (IMO) Council for the term 2024-2025 in elections held Friday 1 December 2023 at the IMO Headquarters in London. Bangladesh secured 128 votes out of 166 Members States present and voting.   Bangladesh has won the election in a highly competitive category C of the IMO Council membership with support of more than two-third of the IMO Members States. This is a clear manifestation of the confidence and trust that the IMO member states and the international maritime community place on Bangladesh as a maritime nation and its policies and actions under the prudent leadership of Hon’ble Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.   Last week, Bangladesh High Commissioner to the UK and Permanent Representative to the IMO, Saida Muna Tasneem, was unanimously elected as a Vice President of the 33rd Session of the IMO Assembly.  IMO is the only UN specialized body that regulates global shipping standards that affects ship operating flag States, seafarers and maritime safety security and marine pollutions.  During its term as a Council member for the period 2024-’25, Bangladesh would negotiate its international trade (90% of which is operated by the sea), its maritime ports’ transition into green, digitalized and smarter ports, its compliance with the Hong Kong Convention on ship recycling and the use of greener fuels by Bangladesh vessel among other critically important issues to Bangladesh’s shipping and maritime industry.   Source: Press release Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh Ministry of Foreign Affairs Dhaka, 2 December, 2023

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina inaugurated 15-storey newly-constructed Bangladesh Bar Council Bhaban at a cost of Taka 138 crore in the capital city on Saturday, October 21. She opened the Bhaban after unveiling the inaugural plaque built at a place adjacent to the High Court (HC) as the chief guest. The prime minister also went round different parts of the Bhaban. Earlier, on her arrival at the venue, Chief Justice Obaidul Hassan and Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Anisul Huq received the premier with a flower bouquet. The bhabon has been built under the supervision of Law and Justice Division and designed by the Department of Architecture. It has housed spacious office space, meeting room, two conference rooms, record room, store room, waiting area, cafeteria, day-care centre, exhibition space, registration room, bank, accounts section, IT section, ive tribunal rooms, multipurpose hall and separate prayers room.   More than hundred lawyers will be able to be in the Bar Bhaban. Source: BSS

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan was highly critical of the failure of a UN Security Council resolution vetoed by the US concerning the conflict.  "The United Nations Security Council, which has become even more ineffective, has once again not fulfilled its mandate," Erdogan wrote in a very lengthy social media post.  "Western countries, which leave no stone unturned when it comes to human rights and freedoms, have taken no steps other than adding fuel to the fire," Erdogan alleged.  He also said "biased and two-faced" media organizations had "entered a race to whitewash human slaughter."  Erdogan had on Tuesday immediately blamed Israel for the al-Ahli hospital blast in Gaza City, alleging that the country's attacks were "devoid of the most basic human values." In his post on Wednesday, he made no mention of who the perpetrators were. However, he also said nothing about the now-disputed source of the explosion and wrote about the incident immediately after listing what he termed Israeli atrocities, leaving readers with a clear indication still of where he was assigning blame.  He said the attack "constitutes a crime against humanity and amounts to genocide against the people of Gaza."  Typically, Turkey and Erdogan are extremely sensitive about the use of the word genocide, particularly when governments use it in reference to the systematic destruction of the Armenian people and identity in Anatolia during and also before World War I amid the collapse of the Ottoman Empire and the founding of modern-day Turkey.  Following in the footsteps of several European governments, including France and Germany, US President Joe Biden recognized the event as a genocide in 2021.        

The United Nations Security Council approved on Monday deploying a multinational force to Haiti, where authorities have been struggling for nearly a year to control criminal gangs. The force was described as a Multinational Security Support mission "to take all necessary measures."  The resolution authorizes the force to deploy for one year, with a review after nine months. "More than just a simple vote, this is in fact an expression of solidarity with a population in distress," said Jean Victor Geneus, Haiti's foreign affairs minister.  "It's a glimmer of hope for the people who have been suffering for too long," he added. The deployment was approved by 13 votes, with permanent members Russia and China both abstaining. The council also approved widening a UN arms embargo to include all gangs, rather than just some individuals, following a push from Beijing. What do we know about the mission? The taskforce is expected to be led by Kenya, which pledged last summer to send 1,000 troops. Neighboring Caribbean countries Jamaica, the Bahamas and Antigua and Barbuda also expressed readiness to contribute forces. The United States meanwhile promised logistics and $100 million (approximately €95.43 million) in support. Haiti's foreign minister described the vote as a "glimmer of hope" and an "expression of solidarity with people in distress." "It is a glimmer of hope for people who have been suffering the consequences of a difficult political, socio-economic, security and humanitarian situation for too long," Jean Victor Geneus told the Security Council. Why is it controversial? The decision to deploy the multinational force comes nearly a year after Haitian Prime Minister Ariel Henry requested the immediate deployment of a foreign armed force to help control the gangs, alongside 18 top government officials. Henry, who leads an unelected administration has also cited the violence and instability as a reason for a delayed election. The country has been left without any elected representatives since January. However, many are still wary of international intervention. A previous UN mission which started in 2004 was marred by a sex abuse scandal and a cholera outbreak which killed over 9,000. It ended in 2017. The introduction of cholera to the country was blamed on UN peacekeepers dumping infected sewage into a river. Meanwhile, Kenya's police, which is expected to make up much of the new mission, has long been accused of torture, deadly force and other abuses. Monday's resolution asked countries contributing to the mission "to adopt appropriate wastewater management and other environmental controls to guard against the introduction and spread of water-borne diseases."

Attorney General Merrick Garland has announced he is appointing a special counsel in the Hunter Biden probe. The development elevates the investigation of the president's son ahead of the 2024 election. Garland announced on Friday that David Weiss, the Delaware attorney who has been probing Hunter Biden's financial and business dealings, would be the special counsel. The appointment comes at Weiss's request. "Upon considering his request, as well as the extraordinary circumstances relating to this matter, I have concluded it is in the public interest to appoint him as special counsel," Garland was quoted as saying. The appointment gives Weiss additional authority to probe whether the president's son engaged in improper business dealings.  As per a court filing reported on by the Reuters news agency, Weiss said on Friday that parties in the case are at an impasse in plea negotiations, making a trial in order. What do we know about the case? Hunter Biden has been involved in a years-long legal ordeal.  In June, he agreed to plead guilty to federal income tax charges in a deal he made with the US Justice Department that would have allowed him to avert a trial and conviction on a charge related to gun possession in a separate case. However, the deal fell apart in court last month, when a federal judge expressed concern over the gun charge and uncertainty about whether the agreement gave Hunter Biden protection from future charges. US District Court Judge Maryellen Noreika, who was appointed by former president Donald Trump, said she was concerned about the language in the plea deal and recommended lawyers discuss it. Besides the three charges leveled against him, Republicans have accused Hunter Biden in Congress of leveraging his father's political power for gains in dealings with Ukraine and China. Weiss's probe into the accusations had not presented any evidence to support the claims.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina handed over the prestigious Sheikh Kamal National Sports Council (NSC) Award-2023 to 10 sports personalities and two organisations in eight categories in recognition of outstanding contribution to sports on Saturday, July 5. Ministry of Youth and Sports and National Sports Council (NSC) organised the programme at the city's Osmani Memorial Auditorium. She distributed the awards among the winners on the occasion of the 74th birth anniversary of Shaheed captain Sheikh Kamal, the eldest son of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. Who gets the award? For the first time, included sports commentator category in the Sheikh Kamal NSC award. Former national cricketer and cricket commentator Atahar Ali Khan was adorned with the sports commentator award. Abdus Sadek, the legendary hockey player and the first captain of Bangladesh national hockey team, was nominated for the lifetime achievement award. Women's football team captain Sabina Khatun, cricketer Taskin Ahmed and South Asian gold medal winner weightlifter Ziaur Islam got the award in sportsman category. Table Tennis player Muhtasin Ahmed Hriday and hockey player Amirul Islam received emerging athlete award while grassroots hockey organiser Ustad Fazlu and Kalsindur Govt. School and College's principal Mala Rani Sarker got the awards in sports organiser. Bangladesh Archery Federation received the sports association/ federation/ organisation award while Bangladesh Association of Banks (BAB) got the sports sponsor award. Khandakar Tarqk M Nurullah got sports journalist award. In 2021, The youth and sports ministry introduced the Sheikh Kamal NSC Award for the first time on the occasion of Sheikh Kamal's 72nd birth anniversary. Everyone will receive Taka one lakh, a crest and certificate.

The UN Human Rights Council says hate speech is on the rise worldwide. The body voted to condemn Quran burnings and religious hatred following a debate held at Pakistan's request. The United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) on Wednesday adopted a resolution condemning recent incidents in which the Quran was burned. That was despite many countries' choosing not to back the resolution for fear of it infringing on freedom of speech. Amongst the 47 council members, there were 28 votes in favor of the resolution, 12 votes against, and seven abstentions. 'Alarming rise' in acts of religious hatred On Tuesday the UNHCR debated the issues of religious protection and speech rights at an urgent meeting convened at Pakistan's request. Pakistan and other nations said they had been moved to action by "the alarming rise in premeditated and public acts of religious hatred as manifested by recurrent desecration of the Holy Quran in some European and other countries." Mistreating the Quran is considered blasphemy in Islam. "We must see this clearly for what it is: incitement to religious hatred, discrimination and attempts to provoke violence," Pakistani Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari said in a video address to council members. "Speech and inflammatory acts against Muslims, Islamophobia, antisemitism, and actions and speech that target Christians — or minority groups such as Ahmadis, Baha'is or Yazidis — are manifestations of utter disrespect. They are offensive, irresponsible and wrong," UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk said as the special session got underway. Türk said hate speech must be combated through awareness, dialogue, education and interfaith engagement. He added that provocations such as public Quran burnings "appear to have been manufactured to express contempt and inflame anger; to drive wedges between people; and to provoke, transforming differences of perspective into hatred and, perhaps, violence." "Powered by the tidal forces of social media, and in a context of increasing international and national discord and polarization, hate speech of every kind is rising everywhere," Türk said. "It is harmful to individuals, and it damages the social cohesion necessary to the sound functioning of all societies." Free speech must be weighed against religious freedom The most recent such high-profile incident came in Sweden on June 28, when a Quran burning outside Stockholm's main mosque sparked global backlash among Muslims. Pakistan and members of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation hope to get a resolution passed on the issue of Quran burning Tuesday or later in the week. Regardless of the law or personal belief, Türk said, "people need to act with respect for others." Sweden's right-wing government condemned the "Islamophobic" act but said it had an obligation to ensure the "constitutionally protected right to freedom of assembly, expression and demonstration." Türk said: "Every national limit on the greater right of free speech and free expression of opinion must be so formulated so that its only task, its only outcome, can be the protection of the individual — and not the protection of religious doctrines from critical analysis." He warned of the rising tide of hate speech, noting that individuals are continuously singled out for abuse because of their religion, skin color or sexual orientation. Social media, he said, fueled national and international conflicts and polarization. He said segments of societies struggled with religions being misused for political purposes. This is the UNHRC's second of three annual sessions. It will run through Friday.

The UN Human Rights Council says hate speech is on the rise worldwide. The body voted to condemn Quran burnings and religious hatred following a debate held at Pakistan's request. The United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) on Wednesday adopted a resolution condemning recent incidents in which the Quran was burned. That was despite many countries' choosing not to back the resolution for fear of it infringing on freedom of speech. Amongst the 47 council members, there were 28 votes in favor of the resolution, 12 votes against, and seven abstentions. 'Alarming rise' in acts of religious hatred On Tuesday the UNHCR debated the issues of religious protection and speech rights at an urgent meeting convened at Pakistan's request. Pakistan and other nations said they had been moved to action by "the alarming rise in premeditated and public acts of religious hatred as manifested by recurrent desecration of the Holy Quran in some European and other countries." Mistreating the Quran is considered blasphemy in Islam. "We must see this clearly for what it is: incitement to religious hatred, discrimination and attempts to provoke violence," Pakistani Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari said in a video address to council members. "Speech and inflammatory acts against Muslims, Islamophobia, antisemitism, and actions and speech that target Christians — or minority groups such as Ahmadis, Baha'is or Yazidis — are manifestations of utter disrespect. They are offensive, irresponsible and wrong," UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk said as the special session got underway. Türk said hate speech must be combated through awareness, dialogue, education and interfaith engagement. He added that provocations such as public Quran burnings "appear to have been manufactured to express contempt and inflame anger; to drive wedges between people; and to provoke, transforming differences of perspective into hatred and, perhaps, violence." "Powered by the tidal forces of social media, and in a context of increasing international and national discord and polarization, hate speech of every kind is rising everywhere," Türk said. "It is harmful to individuals, and it damages the social cohesion necessary to the sound functioning of all societies." Free speech must be weighed against religious freedom The most recent such high-profile incident came in Sweden on June 28, when a Quran burning outside Stockholm's main mosque sparked global backlash among Muslims. Pakistan and members of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation hope to get a resolution passed on the issue of Quran burning Tuesday or later in the week. Regardless of the law or personal belief, Türk said, "people need to act with respect for others." Sweden's right-wing government condemned the "Islamophobic" act but said it had an obligation to ensure the "constitutionally protected right to freedom of assembly, expression and demonstration." Türk said: "Every national limit on the greater right of free speech and free expression of opinion must be so formulated so that its only task, its only outcome, can be the protection of the individual — and not the protection of religious doctrines from critical analysis." He warned of the rising tide of hate speech, noting that individuals are continuously singled out for abuse because of their religion, skin color or sexual orientation. Social media, he said, fueled national and international conflicts and polarization. He said segments of societies struggled with religions being misused for political purposes. This is the UNHRC's second of three annual sessions. It will run through Friday.