The Foreign Ministry has sought explanation from the Bangladesh deputy high commission in Kolkata with regard to refusal of visa for two Indian human rights activists, who had wanted to come to Bangladesh to gather information and meet the family members of Felani Khatun for filing a writ petition with the Indian Supreme Court on the murder of the Bangladeshi girl. Six days after the submission of the visa application, Bangladesh deputy high commission in Kolkata denied visa to Kriti Roy, chief of Indian rights body MASUM, and Malay Sengupta, a retired judge, according to media reports. The mission concerned has been asked to provide an explanation in this regard, said Foreign Minister Dr Dipu Moni while replying to a query in this regard at a press conference at the Foreign Ministry on Thursday. The briefing was organized to brief journalists about the 68th session of the United Nations General Assembly that will be attended by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
“After receiving the explanation, I will be able to share it with you,” she said.
To another question regarding the
murder of Felani, Dipu Moni said that she was feeling optimistic as the higher authority of the Border Security Force had rejected the earlier verdict acquitting the lone accused in the case.
In the joint statement issued after the director general-level meeting between Border Guard Bangladesh and BGB in Dhaka on Wednesday, Indian side also expressed deep concern over the issues of killing/injury and beating of Indian nationals at the border.
When asked about Dhaka’s position in this regard, Dipu Moni said, “I did not see the joint statement. I will see the statement and talk with BGB and then I would be able to respond.”
On the media report that former State Minister for Foreign Affairs Abul Hassan Chowdhury had been charged by the Canadian police with bribery relating to Padma bridge, she said that Bangladesh high commission in Canada had been asked for details in this regard.
Responding to a question regarding dialogue between the government and opposition in New York during UNGA, the Foreign Minister said, “This type of dialogue should take place in the country.”
The door is always open for dialogue, she said, reiterating that elections would be held in accordance with the Constitution.
On signing of TICFA, Dipu Moni said that as this had been approved by the cabinet it was not up to the Commerce Ministry to fix date and venue of signing the
agreement.
On the visit of Prime Minister to New York to attend UNGA from September 23-28, the Minister said that there would be a bright and bold presence on the part of the Prime Minister in the discussions on MDG goals and international development agenda after 2015.
The Prime Minister is one of very few selected Heads of the State or Governments who has been personally invited to three high-level meetings, she said.
On September 24, Hasina will deliver a speech at the High Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development. On the same day, she will speak at a programme titled ‘Tackling the Unfinished Business: Accelerating MDG Progress’ organised by the UNDP and World Bank.
On September 25, Hasina will co-chair a roundtable on ‘Follow up Efforts Made Towards Achieving the MDGs.
She will deliver her speech at the UNGA on September 27 in which she will call for the continuation of dialogue and international cooperation in establishing world peace and security.
The Prime Minister will condemn the use of chemical weapons in Syria on August 21 and lay emphasis on the peaceful
solution to the Syrian crisis.
On September 26, she will speak
at a high-level meeting on nuclear
disarmament.
uring her stay in New York, Hasina is expected to sign the Arms Trade Treaty (ATT) adopted by the United Nations General Assembly earlier this year and ratify the Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons (CCW) which was signed by Dhaka in 2000.
The Prime Minister will also take part in a panel discussion on the first anniversary of UN Secretary General’s Global Education First Initiative. Moderated by former British Prime Minister Gordon Brown, the discussion will be attended by among others, UN Secretary General, World Bank president and Pakistani rights activist Malala Yousafzai.
She will attend a reception hosted by US President Barack Obama and his wife in honour of Heads of the State and Government participating in the UNGA. She will also participate in a conference organized by the expatriate Bangladeshis.
When asked about the size of delegation of the Prime Minister, Dipu Moni could not provide exact number.
“I am going tonight and two of my officers are going with me. And the rest would leave on September 22 with the Prime Minister. It includes officials from PMO, her security team, journalists, and in addition to that there is a business delegation that would accompany her,” she said.
“Some eminent personalities would also go with the Prime Minister. You know that once decision was taken that Prime Minister would not go. This was reversed later. Therefore, this work is being done at the last moment. At this moment I cannot tell you the exact figure. We could perhaps inform you after September 22,” she added.
When asked about the meeting between the Prime Minister and her Indian counterpart Manmohan Singh on the sidelines, Dipu Moni said that it was yet to be
confirmed.
When it was conveyed to her that Bangladesh Permanent Representative in New York had confirmed the meeting between Hasina and Manmohan would be held on September 28, Dipu Moni said, “It is possible that the two Permanent Representatives (Bangladeshi and Indian) have discussed the issue and that’s why he said such thing. At this moment full final list is not available with us. When we have the full final list, then we will be able to tell you.” At 8:25pm, Foreign Ministry’s public relations officer confirmed through a text message that the meeting between Hasina and Manmohan would be held on September 28.
-With The Independent input
