The Chinese Embassy in Dhaka has reacted to US' claim that China has done very little to resolve the Rohingya issue terming it "inappropriate and not constructive at all". The Embassy in a post shared on its verified Facebook page said Stephen E Biegun, US Deputy Secretary of State, during a press briefing in Washington D.C. summarising his trip to India and Bangladesh said that China “has unfortunately done very little to help resolve the Rohingya issue”. "It is everybody’s expectation that Biegun’s visit should focus on the Bangladesh-US relationship," said the Embassy. Biegun, the Embassy said, had started making groundless accusations against China on October 15 even before he left Bangladesh, with reference to China-India border conflicts, tension in the Taiwan Strait, issues in the South China Sea and the Hong Kong national security legislation, which have nothing to do with Bangladesh. "Such behavior is not only a severe breach of diplomatic protocols, but also a huge disrespect for Bangladesh, the host of his visit, a peace-loving nation who believes “friendship to all and malice to none” should be the way to do diplomacy," reads the Embassy post. The Embassy said Biegun’s remarks on October 20 is simply a continuation of such behavior, using the Rohingya issue, the gravest concern of Bangladesh, to criticise China and ‘promulgate his own bias’. Since China and the US have plenty of bilateral channels to solve their problems, Biegun should not have dragged any third party in without prior consent, said the Embassy, mentioning that they both have come here for friendship with Bangladesh. Since 2017, China has chaired three rounds of ministerial-level meetings on the Rohingya issue and numerous bilateral and tripartite consultations at the working level, aiming at early repatriation, said the Embassy. "Our political and humanitarian efforts started at the very beginning and will continue until a duration solution is found," it said. Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi had a telephonic conversation with his Bangladesh counterpart Dr AK Abdul Momen on Thursday evening and said Myanmar recently assured them (China) of taking back Rohingyas who are temporarily taking shelter in Bangladesh. Source: UNB AH

Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen on Friday criticized statements posted on social media by some diplomats on media freedom terming those remarks "unfortunate, disappointing and unacceptable". "They could have told us following diplomatic norms if they’ve anything to say," he told UNB expressing his displeasure over their remarks. Dr Momen said he spent long time in the United States and he had never seen such an approach from diplomats there. "We’re running our country in our own way. We know what to do. I’m very upset. This is very disappointing. This is very regrettable. This is not good at all," he said. The Foreign Minister said the freedom cannot be honored unless there is a responsibility. He said Bangladesh would have been happy had they said something on cancellations of RMG export orders or safety and support for Bangladeshi expatriates living abroad and ensuring their jobs for at least six months. Dr Momen expressed displeasure for making similar remarks on a particular issue when the world, including Bangladesh, is facing enormous challenges due to COVID-19. The Foreign Minister also voiced annoyance for giving such coverage by some media outlets on their remarks saying such practices are not seen elsewhere. Dr Momen also questioned their motives behind such statements and apparently reminded the consequences of any deviation from diplomatic norms. Seven envoys stationed in Dhaka on Thursday shared their thoughts on importance of the press and media freedom to ensure access to reliable and fact-based information in the current crisis of COVID-19. The envoys shared the same sentiments in their tweets. US Ambassador to Bangladesh Earl Miller tweeted, "Access to reliable and fact-based information provided by a free and independent media is vital to protecting public health everywhere. Amid the ongoing C-19 crisis, it is essential that freedom of expression is upheld and that the voices of journalists are not restrained." British High Commissioner to Bangladesh Robert Dickson tweeted, "Access to reliable and fact-based information provided by a free and independent media is vital to protecting public health everywhere. Amid the C-19 crisis, it is even more important that freedom of expression is upheld and the media can do its job." The US Ambassador, at a virtual launching program, said journalists should be free to pursue the truth without fear of censorship, harassment, or arrest as they perform this life-saving service. "You are all genuine heroes. I love how health workers are publicly applauded in many countries. They should be, and so should journalists, everywhere. You deserve our immense gratitude," he said while delivering his speech at a virtual launching ceremony for 'Online COVID-19 Course for Doctors.' The US Ambassador said they honour all journalists, everywhere, who have sacrificed their lives, freedom and personal well-being in pursuit of truth and justice. Source: UNB AH

Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) women wing Chairperson Mahfuza Akter Kiron was sent to jail. After arresting this FIFA Council Member police produced her before the court on Saturday. At that time Kiron appealed for bail but rejecting that Dhaka Metropolitan Magistrate Abu Sufian Md. Noman delivered the order to send her in jail. A team of Motijheel police station arrested Kiron from Dhanmondi in the capital on Saturday afternoon in connection with a defamation case filed against her for delivering derogatory remarks against the Prime Minister. Later she was produced before the court. Arrest warrant was also issued against Kiron on Tuesday. According to the case information, Chairperson of women football committee Mahfuza Aketr Kiron on March 8 at a press conference at BFF central office delivered derogatory remarks against Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Bangladesh Football Federation, Bangladesh Cricket Board and organizers of Bangladesh football. Her speech was telecasted and published in different private television channels, newspapers and online portals. In connection with the incident former join secretary of Bangladesh Cricket Board Abu Hasan Chowdhury Prince filed a defamation case worth 50 crore taka against Kiron. AH     

Bangladesh has protested the incident of publishing different indecent articles on father of the nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman in Pakistani government website after summoning the Acting High Commissioner of Pakistan Shah Faisal Kakar appointed in Dhaka. Bangladesh expressed the protest after summoning him at the foreign ministry on Tuesday. It was known that on the day South Asia wing Director General of the foreign ministry Tarique Mohammad summoned the Pakistani Charge de Affairs and handed over a strongly worded note verbal. According to foreign ministry source, indecent information was published in a Pakistani government website on Bangladesh and Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. As the matter came into notice the Acting High Commissioner of Pakistan Shah Faisal Kakar was summoned on Tuesday. AH