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UN rights chief reiterates call to suspend application of DSA
UNB
31 Mar 2023, 21:53
UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk has expressed concerns over the continued misuse of the Digital Security Act (DSA) in Bangladesh and urged immediate suspension of its application.
"I am concerned that the Digital Security Act is being used across Bangladesh to arrest, harass and intimidate journalists and human rights defenders, and to muzzle critical voices online," he said, according to a UN press release issued in this regard on Friday.
“I call again on the authorities to impose an immediate moratorium on its use and to comprehensively reform its provisions to bring them in line with the requirements of international human rights law. My Office has already provided detailed technical comments to assist with such a revision,” Türk said.
More than 2,000 cases have been brought under the Act, which came into force on October 1, 2018, according to the release.
The release also mentions the recent cases filed against Prothom Alo reporter Samsuzzaman Shams, Editor Matiur Rahman, and a photographer.
In February, a young man, Poritosh Sarkar, was sentenced to five years in prison under this law after being accused of hurting religious sentiments in a post on Facebook, stated the release.
Türk said his office has consistently raised concerns about the overly broad and ill-defined provisions of the Digital Security Act. He also called out the government for failing to deliver on certain promises with regard to the law's application.
“The government has promised there will be safeguards against the arbitrary or excessive application of the law but that is not enough when arrests continue. The law itself needs a proper overhaul,” he said.
The High Commissioner called for the creation of an independent judicial panel to review all pending cases brought under the Digital Security Act with a view to those accused being released.
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JCI Bangladesh Launches 'Smile Aid' Oral Care Initiative
To support underprivileged and low-income individuals and provide essential dental care, a free dental camp titled "Smile Aid – Oral Care Initiative" was held by Junior Chamber International (JCI) on Friday, February 27. Organized by JCI Dhaka Ace, JCI Dhaka Impact, JCI Dhaka Premier, and Humanity Services Bangladesh, the camp served 1,000 people in Lalbagh.
Starting from 8:00 AM, this day-long service activity continued until 7:00 PM. With the assistance of 70 dentists, men, women, children, and the elderly participated in the camp, receiving dental treatment. Free services included dental check-ups, extractions, fillings, scaling, and medications.
The event's inauguration ceremony featured JCI Bangladesh's National President Imran Kadir as the Chief Guest.
This free dental camp was supported by Techno Drugs Ltd., Saphire Hotel & Resort, Mediplus Oral Health, Alauddin Sweatmeat & Dreamy Decor by Sanjida.
Bangladesh Bank Server Error, Cheque Clearing Shut
A technical error has occurred in Bangladesh Bank's server. Due to this, problems have arisen in the settlement of inter-bank transactions. As a result, the settlement of all clearing cheques settled on Monday (September 30) has been canceled.
Bangladesh Bank Executive Director and Spokesperson Hosne Ara Shikha confirmed this information on Tuesday (October 1).
She said, yesterday there was a problem in cheque clearance due to a technical error in the server of the central bank. As a result, it was not possible to clear the cheques that arrived on Monday.
Hosne Ara Shikha said the central bank's technical team is working to resolve the server issue. The problem will be solved very soon.
An official of the central bank said that an error was detected in the server at 9 pm on Monday. The settlement of all cheques settled on Monday was canceled as the resolution was not resolved till 2 am.
Fakhrul Opposes Banning Awami League, Warns of Democratic Risks
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has opposed the idea of banning the Awami League from participating in the upcoming national election, despite describing the party as "politically bankrupt" and out of touch with the public, especially the youth. In an interview with UNB, Fakhrul argued that labeling the Awami League as a fascist party or barring it from elections would be detrimental to democratic norms.
He voiced concerns about the Awami League’s political future, pointing to its growing reliance on bureaucracy and state forces, which he claims has isolated the party from the public. Fakhrul emphasized that, while the party has been accused of undemocratic practices, banning any political organization, including the Awami League, would not solve the problem. He cited past failures, such as the banning of Jamaat-e-Islami, to support his point that such actions often lead to political re-emergence rather than resolution.
Referring to the proposal to amend the International Crimes (Tribunals) Act, 1973, which could ban political parties for up to a decade for crimes against humanity, Fakhrul warned against using legal measures to eliminate political actors. Instead, he advocated for allowing democratic processes to determine a party's fate.
Fakhrul also raised concerns over potential depoliticization efforts, drawing parallels to the events of 1/11, when local and international actors attempted to disrupt political stability in Bangladesh. He urged all political parties to remain vigilant and avoid actions that could undermine democracy, warning that similar plots might be underway once again.
In the wake of a student-led movement that played a significant role in toppling the Awami League, Fakhrul believes the party's growing disconnection from the people, especially the younger generation, will make it difficult to regain public trust. He stressed that the only path forward for any political party should be through fair competition and democratic practice, not through exclusion.
(Source: UNB)
All Pakistani Goods Removed from Red List: NBR
Following a request from Pakistan, goods imported from the country have been removed from the "Red List." On September 29, the National Board of Revenue (NBR) had categorized most goods imported from Pakistan as "Red Listed."
This information was revealed through an NBR order on Wednesday (October 2).
The order, signed by NBR's Second Secretary Md. Abdul Kaiyum, stated that all goods arriving from Pakistan have been removed from the "Red Lane" of the ASYCUDA World system. Previously, only goods from Pakistan were subject to the "Red Lane." The decision to remove them came after these goods passed the National Selectivity Criteria test.
The order further mentioned that while maintaining strict control over prohibited items like narcotics, the NBR is simplifying the import and clearance process for essential goods. This aims to ensure that there are no complications in importing raw materials for production-oriented goods. All consignments from Pakistan were being selected for 100% physical inspection under the National Selectivity Criteria, leading to delays for assistant or deputy commissioner-level officials. Since no significant issues were found during physical inspections, the order instructed Dhaka Customs House to exclude these consignments from the National Criteria.
It has been decided that all consignments from Pakistan will no longer be subject to the National Criteria. However, customs houses will still implement risk management for specific goods from Pakistan based on local criteria and risk considerations.
Earlier, on September 10, Pakistan's High Commissioner to Bangladesh, Syed Ahmed Maroof, met with Finance and Commerce Advisor Salehuddin Ahmed. The High Commissioner called for strengthening the weakened bilateral trade relations between the two countries. Salehuddin Ahmed noted that trade between the two nations had declined for various reasons over a long period, but Pakistan now seeks to resume trade.
It is noteworthy that after the Awami League came to power in 2009, trade activities between Pakistan and Bangladesh were limited. Following the fall of the Awami League government on August 5, 2024, due to public discontent, relations between the two countries began to normalize once again.
Online Income Tax Return Filing Number Exceeded 50,000
From this system, taxpayers can pay taxes through Internet banking, card payment (debit or credit card), and mobile banking and get the facility of downloading and printing copies of submitted returns, receipts, income tax certificates, and TIN certificates. You can also download and print the e-return filed for the previous year.
Spontaneous and motivated taxpayers have already used the e-return option on the National Board of Revenue (NBR) portal till October 2 due to its ease and convenience. As a result, the number of online income tax return filings has crossed 50,000.
NBR Director (Public Relations) Syed A Mu'men told the media that the e-return registration process has already been made more tax-payer-friendly. A biometric SIM registered with a taxpayer's national identity card is required for successful registration. To verify whether the number used by the taxpayer is biometrically registered or not, dial *16001#.
NBR Chairman Abdur Rahman Khan said that all transactions of NBR will be converted into digital form so that taxpayers can get fast and quality services. That is why our activities are ongoing.
He further said that NBR will work towards digital transformation in the coming months, e-return service center is a part of that.
NBR congratulates those taxpayers who have already successfully filed their income tax returns online. Besides, the organization has humbly requested other individual taxpayers to file income tax returns online using the portal on time.
Incidentally, the National Board of Revenue has set up a call center to assist taxpayers with any issues related to e-returns. Last September 12, taxpayers got immediate solutions to e-return-related queries by calling call center number 09643717171. Besides, taxpayers can report any problem related to e-return in writing and get solutions from the e-tax service option of www.etaxnbr.gov.bd.
Sajeeb Wazed Joy Hires U.S. Lobbyist for $200,000
Key Highlights:
Joy Hires U.S. Lobbyist: Sajeeb Wazed Joy hires a U.S. lobbyist for $200,000 to represent the Awami League
Six-Month Contract: The contract will focus on informing U.S. policymakers about Bangladesh’s situation
Lobbying in Politics: Both Awami League and BNP-Jamaat have used lobbyists to influence U.S. views on Bangladesh
Sajeeb Wazed Joy, son of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, has hired a U.S. lobbyist for $200,000. The CEO of Wazed Incorporation, Joy signed a contract with Robert Stryk, Chairman of Stryk Global Diplomacy. The firm will represent the Awami League, presenting Bangladesh's recent situation to the U.S. executive and judicial branches. The contract is for six months.
Lobbyist contracts regarding Bangladesh are frequently discussed in the political arena. For over 15 years, Sheikh Hasina and other top Awami League leaders have accused the BNP-Jamaat alliance of hiring lobbyists to increase U.S. influence in Bangladesh's politics.
On August 5, Sheikh Hasina fled the country to India, with top Awami League leaders either in hiding or arrested. To address the situation, Sajeeb Wazed Joy, former ICT Advisor to the Prime Minister, hired a U.S. lobbyist. The contract with Stryk Global Diplomacy was published on the U.S. Department of Justice’s website.
Documents show that the firm will advocate for the Awami League and inform U.S. policymakers about the current situation in Bangladesh. The six-month contract, valued at $200,000, was signed on September 12.
In 2004, Sajeeb Wazed Joy first signed a contract with a lobbying firm called "Alcatel and Fa," which claimed that the BNP was promoting extremism and that the Awami League would counter it if in power. In 2019, the BNP signed contracts with several lobbying firms, including Bluelight Strategies, accusing the Awami League of undermining democracy.
Lobbyist firms in the U.S. play a key role in promoting markets, whether for tea, ready-made garments, or other products. The U.S. Department of Justice's website lists at least 376 lobbying files related to Bangladesh.
163 Villages Inundated in Sherpur, Mymensingh
Heavy rains and landslides caused flash floods in several parts of Sherpur and Mymensingh. At least 113 villages in Sherpur's Nalitabari, Sreebardi, and Jhenaigati upazilas and 50 villages in Mymensingh's Dhobaura were inundated. Bhogai and Chellakhali dams are breaking and water is overflowing.
The water level of both rivers started rising last Thursday evening. Garakanda and Nichpara areas of the municipality including Poragaon, Nayabil, Ramchandrakura, and Baghber Union were flooded during the night. Upazila Parishad Square, Sadar Bazar, and lower areas of 40 villages have been inundated in Jhenaigati.
On Friday, around 5,000 people were stranded due to an abnormal rise in the water in the Maharshi and Someswari rivers. About 2,000 people in 13 Rani Shimul and Singabaruna Union villages bordering Sreebardi Upazila of Sherpur have become waterlogged due to heavy rains and landslides. Many roads were submerged in torrential water and traffic was stopped. Aman paddy's fields are submerged.
Meanwhile, at least 50 villages of the upazila have been flooded due to heavy rains and landslides in Dhobaura of Mymensingh, breaking the Netai River dam.
Akhlaq Ul Jamil, Executive Engineer of the Water Development Board, said that due to heavy rains, the Netai River dam was damaged and several areas were flooded. If the rain subsides, the area's water level will likely recede in the next two days. Later the damaged dam will be rebuilt.
Dhobaura Upazila Executive Officer Nishat Sharmin said that the people's representatives of the areas where water has entered have been asked to arrange shelter in primary schools. Actions will be taken to help the victims after the inquiry.
