[🇧🇩] Everything about the interim government and its actions

[Saif]

How concerned should interim govt be about Tulsi’s remarks on 'minority persecution'?

US National Security Director Tulsi Gabbard made comments about the persecution of minorities and the rise of Islamic fundamentalism in Bangladesh during a journalist’s question in Delhi. These remarks have sparked significant discussion in the media of both countries.

en.prothomalo.com

How concerned should interim govt be about Tulsi’s remarks on 'minority persecution'?
Hasan Ferdous
New York
Published: 22 Mar 2025, 20: 30

Tulsi Gabbard Reuters

US National Security Director Tulsi Gabbard made comments about the persecution of minorities and the rise of Islamic fundamentalism in Bangladesh during a journalist’s question in Delhi. These remarks have sparked significant discussion in the media of both countries.

Indian media has long portrayed Bangladesh as a fundamentalist and pro-Pakistan state, aligning with the Indian administration’s stance on Professor Muhammad Yunus’ government. For them, Tulsi’s comments are like striking gold. One newspaper even commented that Professor Yunus’ government is trembling with fear due to Tulsi's remarks.

However, Tulsi Gabbard did not say anything that President Trump or a White House spokesperson hadn’t stated before. In a written comment to Prothom Alo, Michael Kugelman, director of the South Asia Institute at Washington’s Wilson Center, described Tulsi’s comments as "familiar and old."

"Tulsi Gabbard herself stated that the issue of religious minorities in Bangladesh has been a longstanding concern. The key word here is 'longstanding' (Tulsi’s own term). Yet critics of Bangladesh’s interim government have used her remarks to condemn this government," Kugelman explained.

For a long time, the US has criticised Bangladesh for human rights violations against minorities. Just a week before leaving office, former President Joe Biden expressed not just concern but warned that the Yunus government would be held accountable for any violence against minorities.

Kugelman told Prothom Alo, "US concern over minorities in Bangladesh is not new. During Sheikh Hasina’s tenure, the US has expressed this concern on multiple occasions. Over a decade ago, the US administration expressed worry over how rising religious extremism under Hasina’s rule endangered minorities and progressive groups."

In 2015, during Sheikh Hasina’s government, at least five 'secular bloggers' and publishers were killed in attacks by extremists. The US condemned these incidents and announced plans to offer political asylum to bloggers facing threats.

Kugelman believes, "Some may conclude that the Trump administration will align with India’s stance on Bangladesh, based on Tulsi Gabbard’s remarks. However, I think Tulsi’s comments are not just about the Yunus government but also refer to multiple governments in Bangladesh’s history, including India’s favored Awami League government."

Sheikh Hasina and her supporters abroad had hoped that Donald Trump would take action against Professor Yunus’ interim government. Previously, Trump had expressed concern over reports of minority persecution in Bangladesh in a comment on his 'X' handle. Indian media at the time amplified this statement with equally sensational coverage.

Supporters of the past Sheikh Hasina government, living abroad, were most excited by this Indian media coverage. During Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s mid-February visit to Washington, these supporters welcomed him with large placards and banners, expecting Modi to help secure US sanctions against Bangladesh during his meeting with Trump.

However, this did not happen. Instead, President Trump directly dismissed claims by an Indian journalist that the US 'deep state' played any role in Hasina’s government’s fall.

Tulsi Gabbard’s comments have also stirred excitement among US-based Awami League leaders and supporters. An Awami League leader told a New York-based Bengali television channel, "The Trump administration will soon arrest Professor Yunus, similar to how former Panamanian dictator Manuel Noriega was captured and imprisoned."

Two days ago, during a routine briefing at the US State Department, a spokesperson stated that the US government is satisfied with the measures the Yunus government has taken to ensure the safety of minorities.​

 

[Saif]

What could have been better than the Yunus government?

Professor Muhammad Yunus took over responsibility as chief advisor of the interim government on 8 August 2024 at a juncture when extreme disorder prevailed all around -- the administration had come to a standstill, the law and order forces were inactive, educational institutions were besieged by...

en.prothomalo.com

What could have been better than the Yunus government?
Sohrab Hassan
Published: 22 Mar 2025, 17: 58

Chief Adviser professor Muhammad Yunus File photo

Professor Muhammad Yunus took over responsibility as chief advisor of the interim government on 8 August 2024 at a juncture when extreme disorder prevailed all around -- the administration had come to a standstill, the law and order forces were inactive, educational institutions were besieged by unrest and public life had been pitched into uncertainty.

Muhammad Yunus had been undergoing treatment at a hospital in Paris on 5 August when the Awami League government fell in face of a student-mass uprising. He had no idea that he would be taking over responsibility of running the country. The student leaders contacted him for the first time that evening.

Could there have been any alternative to Muhammad Yunus as chief advisor? Could anyone else bring the conflicting parties to one table?

After repeated requests from the student leaders he finally acquiesced to take over responsibility of the government. A detailed description of the interaction with Professor Yunus from Dhaka appears in Asif Mahmud Shojib Bhuyain's book, 'July: Matribhumi Othoba Mrityu', published by Prothoma Prokashon.

The student leaders had made a right move that day. At that moment of uncertainty, the country needed a person who had the trust of the majority of the people in the country and who also had unquestionable credibility on an international level. It is also doubtful whether the political parties, who had an active role in the movement, would have accepted anyone else other than Professor Yunus.

Now seven months on, we have to review the success and failures of the interim government in context of our socioeconomic and political realities. We also have to keep in mind what our elected and unelected governments did in the past.

Bangladesh is the world's most densely populated country. No other country has around 180 million people living in an area of 56,000 square miles. The poverty rate here is 18 per cent, 30 per cent of the people are deprived of education, the number of landless and homeless is on a steady rise, and the gap between the rich and the poor is widening.

An elected government comes to power for a five-year term. It is easy for them to take up short, mid and long-term plans. That is not possible on the part of an interim government. And on top of that, when the Yunus government took over power, law and order was in shambles.

Under the circumstances, the first and foremost responsibility of the interim government was to normalise the law and order situation. The second task was to restore order to the economy and take control of the market. The government has been somewhat successful in the latter. It has been possible to restore order to the banking sector which the previous government had taken to the brink of disaster.

Muhammad Yunus formed his government mostly with persons who had been outside politics and the administration. Naturally they met with obstacles at every step in running the administration and they are still struggling. Due to age and experience, the performance of all the members of the advisory council is not the same. While some are active in running their ministries, others have shortcomings, it is felt.

Muhammad Yunus has admitted that he and most of the advisors in his government have no experience in running the country. If any ministry functions well, the concerned advisor can take credit, and is doing so too. But if any ministry is not up to the mark, the responsibility falls on the government, to be more precise, on the chief advisor.

Many quarters complain that the government is not running the country properly. That is not a baseless contention. The inactivity of certain advisors is irksome. But the question is, could there have been any alternative to Muhammad Yunus as chief advisor? Could anyone else bring the conflicting parties to one table?

The big challenge for the interim government was to bring the various parties and quarters who had taken part in the movement, to one table. They have managed to do so more or else successfully. Albeit late, the national consensus commission has begun talks with the political parties.
The armed forces had a role to play, directly or indirectly, in the previous political changes that transpired in Bangladesh. The difference is, while the army had a positive role in the 5 August changeover, they did not interfere in the civil administration.

Chief of army staff Waker-Uz-Zaman repeatedly said they had no wish to come to power. It is also doubtful whether the civil government would get this continued support from the army had Muhammad Yunus not ben there. Even so, there are all sorts of propaganda and provocations aimed at the army and the army chief. Some are attempting to place the army and the interim government in confrontation. Such moves can push the country towards further instability.

The Nobel laureate for peace Muhammad Yunus had caught international attention too. In September last year, while joining the UN General Assembly, Professor Muhammad Yunus met with the heads of government and states of 12 countries, including the US president at the time Joe Biden, and the heads of various international agencies. He also took part in 40 high level meetings. The visit of UN secretary general to Bangladesh Antonio Guterres will hopefully play a positive role in bringing the nearly obscured Rohingya problem back to the attention of the world.

After coming to power, the interim government had to face several unwarranted situations. One was the floods in the eastern region of the country that wiped out vast expanses of crops. The market had been restive for quite a few months and now things are normalising. The prices of essentials during Ramzan are in control, unlike the previous years. The food stock is satisfactory too.

Despite these successes, the law and order situation remains a matter of public concern. There are incidents of robbery, mugging, killing and rape. Mob violence is a new phenomenon since after 5 August.

During the rule of Awami League, innocent people would be tagged with the BNP-Jamaat label and oppressed. After the uprising, the ire of the students and the common people was directed towards many ministers, MPs and leaders of the fallen Awami League government and their homes were attacked and damaged. And many innocent people were tagged as accomplices of the autocrats and their houses, offices and business establishments were attacked. In some places the religious minorities were victimised too. If anyone commits a crime, it is the duty of a citizen to hand him over to the law enforcement. But if that is not done and law is taken into one's own hands in the name of student leadership or anyone else, extreme disorder breaks out in society. I feel it is a failure of the government not to be able to take firm action in this regard.

The interim government had delineated three broad objectives -- the trial of the killings and torture that took place during the July uprising, state reforms to prevent a return of an autocratic system, and free and fair elections to establish democratic governance. But unless they can fix the law and order situation and if mob violence continues, it is not likely that any of these objectives can be reached.

So the government must be sterner in protecting the lives and property of each and every citizen. They have to change the old manner of responding to the exaggerations of foreign quarters about security of the minorities. The government must create an environment where no one can find scope for complaint. They must also remain alert against communal instigators within and outside the country.

Despite many limitations, there are two positive aspects of the Muhammad Yunus government that need to be mentioned. One is, teamwork or integrated programmes. Almost all the previous governments were individual-centric -- nothing would move without the head of the government. The advisors of the interim government run their ministries independently. Secondly, no matter what criticism there may be against the advisors of this government, till date there have been no allegations of corruption against them. That is of colossal importance in the socioeconomic structure of Bangladesh.

* Sohrab Hassan is joint editor of Prothom Alo and a poet

* This column appeared in the print and online edition of Prothom Alo and has been rewritten for the English edition by Ayesha Kabir​

 

[Saif]

Interim government takes 4 legal steps to stop administrations from blocking internet access again

The interim government is taking legal steps to prevent any future administration from shutting down internet services in Bangladesh, said Faiz Ahmad Taiyeb, the chief advisor’s special assistant on posts, telecommunications and ICT affairs, reports bdnews24.com. Speaking to reporters at a b

thefinancialexpress.com.bd

Interim government takes 4 legal steps to stop administrations from blocking internet access again
Published :
Apr 07, 2025 23:20
Updated :
Apr 07, 2025 23:20

The interim government is taking legal steps to prevent any future administration from shutting down internet services in Bangladesh, said Faiz Ahmad Taiyeb, the chief advisor’s special assistant on posts, telecommunications and ICT affairs, reports bdnews24.com.

Speaking to reporters at a briefing on Monday, following the first day of the investment summit, he said four specific measures were being implemented in response to concerns raised by young entrepreneurs and investors.

“In response to a question about internet shutdowns, we have stated our clear position,” Faiz said.

“The chief advisor has instructed that internet access must never be suspended. We’ve learnt from the July Uprising, when the shutdown affected freelancers and businesspeople, and even led to a downgrade in Bangladesh’s banking credit rating.”

He continued: “Based on that experience, the interim government has decided it will never impose an internet shutdown. We are also implementing safeguards so that future governments cannot do so either. We’ve outlined four such steps.”

The first step, according to Faiz, is to recognise internet access as a citizen’s right in the upcoming Cyber Safety Ordinance.

“We’re planning to pass the ordinance this week or next, and it will include internet access as a recognised right of the people — which was a major demand from our investors,” he said.

As the second step, Faiz announced the cancellation of the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) that allowed the ministry to initiate shutdowns.

The third step relates to the government’s new non-geostationary orbit (NGSO) guidelines, drawn up during Starlink’s registration process.

“There is no provision in that framework for the government to suspend internet access,” Faiz said.

The final step, he said, involves amending the Telecommunications Act to remove the power to shut down internet or gateway services.

“The clause in the 2001 Telecommunications Act that allowed such actions is being revised. Once amended, it will no longer be legally possible for any future government to suspend internet access.”

He added: “We’ve tried to present investor and business concerns around internet shutdowns in the clearest possible terms.”

PERSONAL DATA PROTECTION LAW DRAFT DUE IN MAY

Faiz also addressed concerns about the Personal Data Protection Act, assuring that a full draft would be made public by May.

“There were questions about the Data Protection Act. We clarified that any business group which hasn’t received the draft yet will get it by April,” he said.

“You know it has been available online over the past two weeks, and we have sent it to select business communities, including the American Chamber of Commerce (AmCham) and financial law professionals,” he added.

Their feedback is now being reviewed.

“The law will be updated based on their opinions, and the draft will be published online again by the end of April,” Faiz said.

“We have made a preliminary commitment to the young entrepreneurs and investors that the draft will be fully open for public consultation by May.”​

 

[Saif]

Khalilur Rahman appointed as National Security Adviser

Chief Adviser’s High Representative on Rohingya and Priority Issues Dr Khalilur Rahman has been appointed as the National Security Adviser. The Cabinet Division issued a notification on Wednesday in this regard, according to local news portals. Dr Khalilur Rahman will perform as National Se

thefinancialexpress.com.bd

Khalilur Rahman appointed as National Security Adviser
FE ONLINE DESK
Published :
Apr 09, 2025 21:22
Updated :
Apr 09, 2025 22:09

Chief Adviser’s High Representative on Rohingya and Priority Issues Dr Khalilur Rahman has been appointed as the National Security Adviser.

The Cabinet Division issued a notification on Wednesday in this regard, according to local news portals.

Dr Khalilur Rahman will perform as National Security Adviser by assisting the chief adviser in accomplishing duties related to the Ministry of Defence along with his existing responsibilities as the chief adviser’s high representative.

Through the notification, the designation of Khalilur Rahman has been revised to ‘National Security Adviser and High Representative on Rohingya Issues.’​

 

[Saif]

undefined | The Financial Express

thefinancialexpress.com.bd

Global confidence in Bangladesh growing, says Prof Yunus
UNB
Published :
May 20, 2025 21:57
Updated :
May 20, 2025 21:57

Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus on Tuesday said global confidence in Bangladesh is growing as top companies from around the world visited the country to assess the situation first-hand.

"At the recent BIDA Summit, the world's top companies came to see our situation first-hand, including some from Norway. They came not out of obligation, but out of curiosity and belief in what's possible here," he said.

Prof Yunus made the remarks when State Secretary for International Development of the government of Norway Stine Renate Haheim called on him at the State Guest House Jamuna who reaffirmed Norway's continued support for Bangladesh.

The Chief Adviser spoke about the challenges the nation has faced in recent months. "Many lives were lost during the July uprising, and our economy suffered immense damage. The previous regime enabled the laundering of an estimated $16 billion annually. Loans were treated like gifts, and we inherited a staggering pile of unpaid bills," he said.

During the meeting, the Norwegian State Secretary conveyed warm greetings from Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store and highlighted Norway's longstanding relationship with Bangladesh. "You are a well-known figure in Norway," she told the Chief Adviser.

"Our Prime Minister often speaks of you with great admiration. You have been friends for a long time," she said.

Prof Yunus reflected on the deep and historic ties between the two countries. "Norway has always stood by Bangladesh during critical moments. Your role in our development journey is undeniable," the Chief Adviser said.

Haheim emphasised Norway's commitment to multilateral cooperation and democratic transitions. "We came here to show our support for the democratisation of Bangladesh," she said.

"The responsibility on your shoulders is immense, and expectations are high among the people of Bangladesh."

The Chief Adviser also urged Norway to continue supporting Bangladesh on humanitarian fronts, particularly in regard to the forcibly displaced Rohingya population.

"These are real people with real aspirations. The young people of the Rohingya community need hope," he said.

"Many of them came as children, aged 7 or 10, and are now teenagers. They've grown up in camps. Every day, more children are born into a future with no certainty. They want to go back home, but they're stuck in limbo. We must not forget them."

Haheim acknowledged the scale of the humanitarian challenge and reiterated Norway's commitment. "We deeply appreciate how Bangladesh has taken the lead in addressing this crisis. We want to expand our relationship beyond development assistance toward a broader, dynamic partnership."

The meeting was also attended by Senior Secretary and SDGs Affairs Principal Coordinator Lamiya Morshed, as well as Director General at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Md Mosharaf Hossain.​