By Editor, The Daily Star, Bangladesh
Apr 4 2019 (IPS-Partners)

(The Daily Star) – Bangladesh is on track to log in the fastest economic growth in the Asia-Pacific region in fiscal 2019-20, said the Asian Development Bank in its latest report — in a resounding endorsement of the government’s economic policymaking.

The economy is expected to grow at 8 percent next fiscal year, which is the same as this year, said the Manila-based lender in the latest edition of its flagship publication, Asian Development Outlook 2019.

Manmohan Parkash, country director of the ADB, speaks at the unveiling of the Asian Development Outlook 2019 at his office in Dhaka yesterday. Photo: Star

But thanks to the robust private consumption, increased public investment, strong export performance and expansion in industries the ADB has revised upwards its growth forecast by 50 basis points.

The higher forecast though is less than the government’s own forecast of 8.13 percent.

“Bangladesh’s economy is in a good shape,” said Manmohan Parkash, country director of the ADB, at the unveiling of the report at its Dhaka office in Agargaon. The country’s macroeconomic management remains generally sound. Inflation edged up slightly to 5.8 percent but remained in check.

Although budget revenue underperformed its target, the fiscal deficit was well within the budgetary target.

The current account deficit widened due to the surge in import demand, but it was mainly from the increase in imports of intermediate and capital goods, which will boost short- to medium-term production, Parkash said.

Continued favourable trade prospects, stronger performance of exports and remittances and heightened public investment for expeditious implementation of large infrastructure projects account for the multilateral lender’s sanguinity on the Bangladesh economy in the near term.

“Bangladesh’s economic outlook remains optimistic in the short-run. But to sustain this momentum in the medium- to long-term, there are several challenges we need to overcome,” Parkash said.

The country needs expanded industrial base, diversified export basket, improved business environment for vibrant private sector development, expanded tax base, better revenue collection for increased resource allocation and human capital development.

“Continued focus on prudent macroeconomic policies, sound debt management, strengthening the banking sector, removing infrastructure constraints and reducing the cost of doing business are important to help achieve the long-term development vision of the country,” Parkash added.

Soon Chan Hong, senior economist at the ADB, expressed concerns about the state of the banking sector.

The high non-performing loan ratio, low profitability, weak governance, widening capital shortfall, operational inefficiency and ineffective legal framework are worrying, he said.

This story was originally published by The Daily Star, Bangladesh

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By Editor, The Daily Star, Bangladesh
Nov 28 2018 (The Daily Star, Bangladesh)

Although incidents of gender-based violence have increased over the years, there is hardly any improvement in terms of getting justice in the cases filed over these incidents. A recent ActionAid commissioned research study has revealed that in the cases filed in such incidents, 97 percent women do not get justice, four out of five such cases brought before the court remain unaddressed for two years before they get court dates, and only in 3.1 percent cases the court rules in favour of the victims. Another striking finding of the study is that two-thirds of such violence occur inside victims’ homes. According to United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, an average of 137 women across the world are killed by a partner or family member every day.

These findings have brought to light the fact that the measures taken by the government and non-government organisations to end gender-based violence and bring the perpetrators of such crimes to justice are just not enough. And the fact that in 96.9 percent of the cases, victims either did not get court hearings or had their cases dismissed is a clear indication of how these cases are manipulated by the perpetrators who are generally powerful or influential.

It is also a well-known fact that compared to the large number of incidents of violence, cases are filed only in a few of them. Having little or no information about filing complaints, interference by community leaders and the slow rate of case proceedings at court are the common reasons for low report rate.

Therefore, the state must ensure that appropriate information is disseminated among women to make them aware of resources and channels to safely file legal complaints and grievances. In addition, a lot needs to be done to change the “socially accepting attitude” towards this kind of violence. And the media also has a very important role to play here in terms of raising awareness campaigns, reporting more on violence inside the home and doing follow-up reports on the court proceedings in such cases.

This story was originally published by The Daily Star, Bangladesh

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Illustration: Amiya Halder

By Editor, The Daily Star, Bangladesh
Sep 25 2018 (The Daily Star, Bangladesh)

The Right to Information Forum (RTI Forum) has expressed deep concerns over the passage of the Digital Security Act 2018 by the Parliament as some of its provisions have been given undue precedence over those of the Right to Information Act 2009.

The forum believes that The Digital Security Act, in its present form, will grossly restrict the scope of people’s access to information under the RTI Act which has been widely held as one of the best opportunities created by the government in empowering people to promote transparency and accountability.

In a statement yesterday, the RTI Forum observed that some provisions of the Official Secrets Act 1921 have been included in the Digital Security Act 2018 which directly undermines Section 3 of the RTI Act. Section 3 stipulates that the RTI Act will prevail over any Act that may create obstacles in providing information or is conflicting with provisions of the RTI law.

The Digital Security Act not only contradicts parts of the RTI Act, but also raises questions about the government’s capacity to be consistent in law-making, the forum observed.

It also lamented that the Digital Security Act creates wide opportunities to restrict the space for raising informed public opinions and ensuring transparency and accountability of public institutions, reducing corruption, and establishing good governance as outlined in the preamble of the RTI Act 2009.

The forum further observed that the Digital Security Act is clearly inconsistent with the fundamental constitutional rights to freedom of speech and expression as per Article 39 of the Constitution and, therefore, undermines democracy and human rights, which are among the fundamental principles of state policy.

Bangladesh’s commitment under Sustainable Development Goal 16.10, that obliges the government to promote free flow of information, will also become nationally and internationally questionable, the forum further added.

The RTI Forum, a coalition of more than 45 organisations, played a pivotal role in the enactment of the right to information law in 2009 and has been supporting the government its implementation and promotion since then.

Meanwhile, journalist’s organisation Dhaka Reporters Unity (DRU) yesterday expressed grave concerns over the Digital Security Act 2018 as well, saying that some harsh and objectionable provisions in the law would create obstructions in the way of independent journalism.

They also criticised the government for passing the law, while ignoring the concerns and recommendations of journalists.

The organisation urged the government to review the law with the light of the journalists’ recommendations and revoke the objectionable provisions from the law.

In a statement, DRU president Saiful Islam and its joint secretary Moin Uddin Khan said that journalists had been expressing concerns over some provisions ever since the draft was approved in the cabinet meeting.

Journalist leaders demanded to scrap the much-debated provisions from the law after meeting with the ministers concerned and also sent their recommendations to parliamentary standing committee.

“The government also assured the journalists that there would be no such harsh provisions. But the bill was passed in the parliament ignoring the concerns and recommendations of journalists,” the statement added.

The DRU observed that the existence of the RTI Act beside Official Secrets Act is conflicting and enabling the police to exercise unfettered power — to search, seize and arrest anyone without a warrant – may create the risk of harassment for journalists.

“Such provisions are against basic human rights and democracy,” the statement added.

In the meantime, rights body Human Rights Support Society (HRSS) expressed solidarity with the human chain programme called by the Sampadak Parishad (Editors’ Council) that will be formed in front of Jatiya Press Club on September 29.

The organisation requested President Abdul Hamid not to approve the law and urged him to return it for a review.

This story was originally published by The Daily Star, Bangladesh

By Editor, The Daily Star, Bangladesh
Jul 23 2018 (The Daily Star, Bangladesh)

Eight years have passed since the education ministry had in principle decided to introduce a uniform or cluster system for university admission, yet, the government has failed to implement the system still after all these years. Even a decision to begin the uniform admission procedure with the agricultural universities from this year has been cancelled on grounds of “lack of time for preparations”, although the decision was made in November last year.

The proposed system would save admission seekers time, cost and travel required to take admission tests at different public universities across the country, and the numerous hassles and pressures they face to prepare for the separate admission tests. In spite of all these benefits, some public universities have been opposing the implementation of the cluster system as it would reduce the income of the universities as well as teachers from the sale of admission forms and from invigilation and checking of answer scripts, according to ministry and UGC sources.

Whether it is due to lobbying from them or because of its own failures, the fact that the government has not been able to implement the cluster system which would save students so much time, money and energy, is unacceptable.

Given that the UGC has also been suggesting modifying the existing admission process for a long time, terming it too expensive, questionable and coaching-oriented, the government has no excuse for delaying the implementation of the uniform admission system. Therefore, we call on the authorities to recognise the importance of implementing the system and thus act accordingly with the appropriate urgency.

This story was originally published by The Daily Star, Bangladesh

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By Editor, The Daily Star, Bangladesh
Apr 20 2018 (The Daily Star, Bangladesh)

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s call to the international community to put more pressure on Myanmar to take back Rohingya refugees is very timely, because, it seems, only international pressure can make Myanmar act according to the deal. Myanmar’s assertion that it has repatriated the first Rohingya family of five from Bangladesh just goes to show how insincere it is in honouring the repatriation agreement that was signed between Bangladesh and Myanmar last November. Rights activists and international relations experts have aptly called the move by Myanmar “a public relations stunt.”

Meanwhile, the latest condition of the Rohingya people who are still living in Myanmar makes us all the more doubtful about Myanmar’s sincerity in repatriating the Rohingya minorities. As the UN Assistant Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs has said, after visiting Myanmar recently, that they continue to face “hardship and marginalisation due to movement restrictions that severely compromise their rights to health, livelihoods, protection, education and other essential services.”

As Canada and Britain have called for a meaningful investigation into the reported atrocities by the Myanmar army, we hope that other countries of the world would also voice similar concerns. The Myanmar army must be tried in the international criminal court for the crimes they have committed against their own people.

Moreover, since Myanmar has signed the bilateral agreement with Bangladesh amid global pressure, we believe that it is the international community that must continue to exert such pressure to make them take back the Rohingya refugees who are the rightful citizens of the Rakhine state. The UN should play a decisive role in the whole process. Myanmar must take the repatriation agreement seriously.

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Rohingya refugees collect relief aid at the Thainkhali refugee camp in the Bangladeshi district of Ukhia. Photo: AFP

By Editor, The Daily Star, Bangladesh
Mar 2 2018 (The Daily Star, Bangladesh)

The painful experiences of Rohingyas have once again been poignantly narrated to the visiting Nobel trio, and anyone who hasn’t really been through the harrowing experiences cannot actually comprehend the horrendous nature of violence that these people have been through.

Myanmar’s apparent foot-dragging in starting the actual process of repatriation betrays its opacity and insincerity in fulfilling the deal. And in spite of the agreement on repatriation, refugees are still trickling into Bangladesh, meaning that the persecution of the minority community, of whatever few Rohingyas left in northern Rakhine, is still going on. It has been resorting to all manners of subterfuge to delay the repatriation.

Bangladesh has been trying its best to help a permanent resolution of the problem and return of the refugees to where they belong. How long can it wait for it? Every day of delay in repatriation imposes a tremendous cost on Bangladesh. That the violence fits all the characteristics of genocide is beyond any doubt, yet the UN has been unable to initiate stern actions against Myanmar. And that is what begs the question.

Merely pronouncing wishes will have no effect on a regime that is determined to make the State of Rakhine Rohingya-free unless the current rulers and the military are called to account for the genocide they have committed in northern Rakhine. The UN Security Council must take cognisance of the matter and report it to the International Criminal Court, like it did in the case of Sudan. Russia and China, who have consistently resisted adopting all Council resolutions for severe action against Myanmar since the very beginning of the problem, should realise that their position not only prolongs the sufferings of the Rohingyas but also puts Bangladesh in tremendous duress in every respect. But more dangerously, their consistent veto gives the regime in Naypyidaw a sense of impunity too. And unless the regime is called to account, the persecution of Rohingyas will continue.

This story was originally published by The Daily Star, Bangladesh

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By Editor, The Daily Star, Bangladesh
Feb 2 2018 (The Daily Star, Bangladesh)

The commendable initiative of a group of girls combating early marriage in Trishal, as reported by The Daily Star on Thursday, shows how social problems like child marriage are best handled: through greater community involvement. The girls are working to raise awareness of the consequences of early marriage among local people and girls/women themselves so that they can resist any such attempts on their own, without recourse to administrative measures and other such interventions. In the last two months alone, encouraged by the local UNO and community leaders, they prevented 10 early marriages.

The fight against early marriage in Bangladesh is not an easy one, given the complex socioeconomic reality, lack of awareness, and loopholes in child marriage laws which allow for exceptions in “special” cases. The country has the highest rate of early marriage under the age of 15, yet its policy responses and administrative actions to stop the practice have been quite inadequate. There is a sense that the issue is not being dealt with enough urgency. But the initiatives taken by the girls in Trishal, and others in various other districts in the country, show that the fight against early marriage is not a losing battle and that there have been encouraging gains at the community level despite the dispiriting national figure.

That said, there is no alternative to a coordinated effort for a better outcome. The fight against child marriage will be a lot easier if the community initiatives are backed by sustained administrative support and legal intervention, especially in places that have proved to be resistant to such attempts.

This story was originally published by The Daily Star, Bangladesh

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By Editor, The Daily Star, Bangladesh
Jan 26 2018 (The Daily Star, Bangladesh)

A front-page picture of a worker unloading coal from a supply truck in Anu Majhir Ghat in Chittagong city’s Sadarghat area, published by The Daily Star on Thursday, tells everything that is wrong with our informal labour market. The man in the picture is seen offloading coal with no safety gear on to thwart the effects of exposure to harmful coal dust or prevent bodily harm in the event of an accident. His whole appearance is a throwback to the pre-industrial times. But this is not just a question of safety in hazardous jobs like coal mining or offloading; it’s also about basic human dignity that all people, irrespective of the kind of work they do, are entitled to.

The safety and health of the workers are perhaps most neglected in our informal labour market, which is largely unregulated and employs about 87 percent of the entire labour force. The wage labourers and other hired labour are the most vulnerable, as they have to face abuse, insufficient wages, or hazardous working conditions—or all three simultaneously. The way they are reduced to mere beings is preposterous. The image has also captured the underbelly of a country aspiring to get into the club of middle-income-countries, with its appalling safety records in areas involving manual labour.

The greed and lack of awareness of the employers also make it difficult to effect changes. The government should pay more attention to improving the work environment and safety standards for the vast community of wage labourers to ensure that they are treated in a manner they deserve as human beings.

This story was originally published by The Daily Star, Bangladesh

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We welcome the recent agreement between Bangladesh and Myanmar for the repatriation of Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh. However, there is ample ground for scepticism regarding the real concerns of the Rohingyas fully addressed by Myanmar. Now, as the date and timeframe have been fixed, a further concern—the rate of repatriation—has been added.

Rohingya refugees line up for daily essentials distribution at Balukhali camp, near Cox’s Bazar, on January 15, 2018. Photo: REUTERS/Tyrone Siu

Restoration of citizenship and guarantee of safety once they are repatriated, are concerns that still remain. The Myanmar-sanctioned Annan Commission had stressed on both these factors, and as it happens, the plan of first settling the repatriated population in camps in Myanmar has already raised fear among the refugees—the root conditions which caused them to flee have not been addressed. These concerns should be addressed honestly by Myanmar now that the process of repatriation is about to begin.

Monitoring of the repatriation is imperative and in that the UN can play a major role. And the rate of repatriation should be increased so that the process can be completed within two years, if not sooner. However, while dealing with the current issue, we should not overlook the fact that there are another nearly 300,000 Rohingya refugees who have been in Bangladesh since 1991, whose repatriation should also be completed as soon as possible.

This story was originally published by The Daily Star, Bangladesh

Workers hired by a kiln owner collect topsoil from a farmland at Doljor village in Aditmari upazila of Lalmonirhat. Photo: S Dilip Roy

By Editor, The Daily Star, Bangladesh
Jan 4 2018 (The Daily Star, Bangladesh)

Three pictures in this paper yesterday depict the utter callousness with which we have degraded our natural resources because of greed and indifference. The front page shows a horrific pile of rubbish in an area in Keraniganj—an earlier picture of the same area juxtaposed with it makes us realise with disbelief, that this garbage dump was actually a canal only a year and a half ago. It is hard to believe that once this pit of rubbish was a pristine waterbody running between rows of buildings, providing relief to the concrete jungle. Obviously, over this short period of time, there has been absolutely no oversight regarding illegal dumping of waste.

So who is responsible for this ugliness that can be seen all throughout the country? In this particular case we would expect the city corporation to be the authority responsible. How could people dump garbage continuously in this canal without the city corporation objecting or taking action against the offenders?

We have seen in innumerable cases, canals and other water bodies being filled up with garbage with the ulterior motive of grabbing that area. This is only possible with the collusion of unscrupulous elements among those who are responsible for preventing such dumping to occur.

Another picture on page three shows the pathetic state of Surma river in Sylhet where again garbage has been dumped into the river threatening its aquatic life and also the health of humans living nearby. This shows a blatant indifference among the people and the authorities, towards preserving the environment.

Yet another picture on page 13 shows the indiscriminate collecting of topsoil from farm land in Lalmonirhat for brick manufacturing, has adversely affected the land’s fertility and the environment.

Despite knowing all the consequences why are we still on this self-destructive path? When will the environment, people’s health and preserving our natural resources become a priority for the government and the public? This is a question we have no answer to.

This story was originally published by The Daily Star, Bangladesh

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It was long overdue, but we welcome the resolution adopted by the United Nations General Assembly, which condemned the military operations in Myanmar’s Rakhine state against the Rohingya minority community.

The overwhelming support to the resolution, drafted by the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), shows the international community’s unified position on the Rohingya issue. The world community has sent a clear message to the Myanmar government that ethnic cleansing cannot continue under its nose, that the government must investigate the gross human rights violations, and that Rohingya refugees must return to their homeland with their full citizenship rights guaranteed.

We, however, regrettably note that ten countries including China and Russia opposed the resolution, and 26 others abstained. We are afraid such a position would perpetuate the violence against the very few Rohingyas that are left in Rakhine.

Despite the nearly unanimous position of the international community in opposing the military operations in Rakhine state, Myanmar’s military regime shows no sign of heeding the advice that it should refrain from using excessive force. According to multiple media reports, gunfire was still heard and big flames were seen near Bangladesh-Myanmar border area only the day before yesterday.

However, the Myanmar army chief’s, statement, very soon after the resolution was passed, that they would take only “real citizens” among those who had taken shelters in Bangladesh demonstrates the devious intention of the military. And this is what the international community must take cognisance of. It has raised serious questions over Myanmar’s repatriation plans for the displaced Rohingyas.

We urge the international community to go beyond mere resolutions and act more decisively—especially with respect to the military—whose genocidal actions deserve more stringent measures against them.

This story was originally published by The Daily Star, Bangladesh

By Editor, The Daily Star, Bangladesh
Nov 8 2017 (The Daily Star, Bangladesh)

The UN Security Council has once again dropped plans, in the face of likely Chinese veto, to adopt a resolution demanding an end to the violence against the Rohingyas. What we have instead is a formal statement calling upon Myanmar to ensure no further excessive use of military force in Rakhine State, to restore civilian administration and apply the rule of law, and to take immediate steps in accordance with their obligations and commitments to respect human rights. This relieves the mounting pressure on the Myanmar government. But where does this leave the Rohingyas? According to the UN, more than 600,000 Rohingyas have been driven out of their homes, and who must be taken back, as the world body has also stated. And conducive conditions must be created for them to go back.

A woman sobs after she lost two little sons amid the hubbub of Rohingyas gathering to collect relief at Balukhali. Credit: Anisur Rahman

It is also imperative that the Myanmar government not only expresses public support but also implements the Kofi Annan committee’s recommendations that should be the blueprint for resolving the Rohingya crisis. So, all this foot-dragging by Myanmar now is completely out of place and must stop. And this is what the UN should be demanding. The mere issuance of a statement will not be enough unfortunately. UN must ensure that its call is complied with.

This story was originally published by The Daily Star, Bangladesh

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By Editor, The Daily Star, Bangladesh
DHAKA, Bangladesh, Oct 19 2017 (The Daily Star, Bangladesh)

The Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics unveiled the report “Household Income and Expenditure Survey (HIES) 2016” on October 17. It is the most exhaustive nationwide survey carried out and is usually brought out every five years or so. What it tells us is that the income inequality between the rich and poor has widened with the top 10 percent of the population now having an income share of 38.16 percent, which is 2.32 percent higher than what it was in 2010. Whereas, the bottom 10 percent of the population has half (1.01 pecent) of the income share it had in the year 2010 (2 percent). Indeed, poverty reduction has also slowed down a full 0.5 percent over this period.

Experts have been calling for pro-poor policies that would involve the government making investments to boost growth in the farm sector and to cater to sectors that would generate jobs, which in turn would help growth in all segments of the population. This is important because the manufacturing sector is both capital-intensive and technology-centric; the growth in jobs in the rural sector can only happen if there is growth in agriculture. We simply cannot discount agriculture as it employs 42 percent of the labour force and hence any slowdown here will have ramifications for income disparity.

What HIES 2016 tells us is that there has not been enough research and development in agriculture to bring about more crop diversity. The mere expansion of safety net programmes is not going to be enough, especially where there is confusion about who ought to be the beneficiaries. In other areas, the report has highlighted quality over quantity, particularly education. While health and living conditions of people have generally improved, we require a rethink at policy level about where our growth will come from and how the benefits of that growth can reach the vast multitude of the poor and ultra-poor.

This story was originally published by The Daily Star, Bangladesh

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Child marriage – despite the caveat in the new amendment of the law – remains illegal in the country. Last Friday, as eight under-age girls were about to be married off in Dinajpur, locals informed the local administration. But no action was taken by the UNO. In Narayanganj, an underage girl was married off on Sunday, but despite locals protesting, the upazila administration refused to intervene. A report by this paper yesterday cited more similar cases.

We know that the Act makes it mandatory for local administration to take action to stop child marriage. Section 4 of the Child Marriage Restraint Act, 2017 states that it is the duty of the UNO and other local government officials to prevent child marriages. Yet, with the most bizarre farce of an excuse, officials are now saying that they cannot take any action despite being informed of them, because the court has declared mobile courts illegal.

It is clear that either the UNOs are using this as an excuse to not act, lamenting the loss of judicial powers that mobile courts gave them, or they are simply ignorant of the difference between administrative and judicial functions. Stopping the marriage in question is an administrative function. Sentences and punishment are the domain of the judiciary.

There is no logic to their claim: preventing a crime from taking place using the power vested in their office by the law does not require judicial power. We cannot but wonder if these local government officials are allowing child marriages knowingly as leverage to demand reinstatement of mobile courts. We must urge that top level administration not only clarify the situation but also investigate why these officials refused to comply with the law and prevent the child marriages.

By Editor, The Daily Star, Bangladesh
May 4 2017 (The Daily Star, Bangladesh)

On Tuesday, The Daily Star and IPDC Finance Limited jointly presented the “Unsung Women Nation Builders Awards” to seven exceptional women at the Krishibid Institution. These women were awarded for their courage, persistence, generosity and hard work and for their immense contributions to Bangladesh’s socio-economic development. The awards – a crest and a cheque of Tk 2 lakh – were given out to each of the awardees in the categories of child rights, agriculture, law enforcement, education, entrepreneurship and health.

Information Minister Hasanul Haq Inu, third from left, AKM Shahidul Hoque, inspector general of police, second from left, Parveen Mahmud, chairperson at the Micro Industries Development Assistance and Services (MIDAS), left, and Mominul Islam, IPDC Finance Ltd managing director and CEO, third from right, with the seven women who received The Daily Star-IPDC Unsung Women Nation Builders Awards at the Krishibid Institution Bangladesh on May 2, 2017. Photo: Amran Hossain

Irani Baroi, who has been paralysed from the waist down for two decades, is now a senior nurse at a general hospital in Madaripur. Rokeya Begum, despite being blind, is a successful educationist who teaches at a government primary school. Sonajan Akter has been serving as a midwife free of cost – despite hailing from a poor family – in her village and in fifteen others for the past 50 years. The stories of the four other women are just as awe-inspiring.

In a society where women face innumerable hurdles such as sexual harassment, discrimination and forced early marriage, the feats accomplished by these women are nothing short of remarkable. They serve as a role model for us all. We hope that more such people, whether it be a man or a woman, who are silently and selflessly serving their communities, are recognised for their contributions to build a better, more prosperous Bangladesh.

This story was originally published by The Daily Star, Bangladesh

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Type 001A, China's first domestically designed and built aircraft carrier, is seen during a launch ceremony at Dalian shipyard in Dalian, northeast China's Liaoning Province, yesterday. Photo: AFP

By Editor, The Daily Star, Bangladesh
Apr 28 2017 (The Daily Star, Bangladesh)

Amidst all the show of force and sabre-rattling by North Korea and the United States, has anyone bothered to ask what would happen if push comes to shove? No matter how tyrannical the leadership in North Korea may seem to the outside world, we are not dealing merely with a country that has operational nuclear arms, but fields significant conventional firepower in the field and will, in all probability (if attacked) launch all of its weapons, nuclear or otherwise at neighbouring South Korea and beyond. Those are the ground realities. It is not without reason that Beijing is sufficiently worried about the potential consequences of any attack on North Korea, which will be both immediate and long-term. Even if the nuclear weapons programme is neutralised on Korean soil, the radiation fallout will be significant and it has everyone worried.

The only country which has any influence over the North Korean leadership is China and Beijing must be entrusted by Washington to deal with the situation. Already, it is reported that China has stopped buying North Korean coal, which happens to be one of the few commodities that the country exports legally and this squeeze can be broadened to curb trade across the border if Pyongyang continues to act irresponsibly with its nuclear arsenal. The last time the world came this close to a potential atomic war was during the Cuban missile crisis and even there cooler heads prevailed. We are sure there are a lot of behind-the-scenes diplomatic negotiations going on over the tense issue prevailing in the Korean peninsula today, and we hope, for the sake of humanity, pragmatism will win over belligerence.

This story was originally published by The Daily Star, Bangladesh

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By Editor, The Daily Star, Bangladesh
Apr 20 2017 (The Daily Star, Bangladesh)

In yet another tragic incident related to child marriage, a teenage girl from Akkelpur upazila of Joypurhat committed suicide by hanging herself from the ceiling in her living room. Fifteen-year-old Marjia Sultana killed herself finding no other way out of being married off by her family.

Marjia Sultana

Marjia’s suicide must be seen in the context of the dangerous extent to which child marriage has been normalised in our society today. Although the Bangladesh government aims to end child marriage by 2041 the new law that allows for child marriage to take place under “special circumstances” is completely contradictory to the government’s global commitment. Despite protests by activists and rights groups that the new law will encourage and legalise child marriage, the law was passed. The least that the government can do now is ensure that the special provision in the law is not misused.

Furthermore, the role of civil society today is more important than ever in the fight against child marriage. Awareness campaigns need to be vigorously carried out, especially in rural areas, and committees in schools should be created to disseminate information about legal help and lend support to students regarding child marriage.

This story was originally published by The Daily Star, Bangladesh

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It is a matter of grave concern that, according to a UN estimate, twenty million people are facing starvation in Yemen, South Sudan, Somalia and Nigeria. These are the conflict prone regions that have witnessed civil war, foreign invasion, a breakdown of civil order and the rise of militancy. We are appalled that this crisis, which has been built up over a period of time, has been allowed to continue. Clearly, enough has not been done, as a UN official told the Security Council, that without immediate help, death and severe malnutrition would plague the regions for a long time.

It is indeed disturbing to note that man-made disasters like war and famine continue to bleed nations while international politics fails to come to a consensus on how to reach a stasis in parts of the Middle East, Northeast Nigeria and vast swathes of Somalia. This is degenerating into a grave humanitarian crisis due to shortage of essential supplies like food, water and electricity. This is especially so in Yemen where two-thirds of the country’s population remains hungry and do not know where the next meal will come from. The situation is the same in the other three countries where without any collective and coordinated effort on the part of the global community thousands will simply starve to death and many more will die from disease.

We urge the international community to infuse immediate aid to these four war-torn and famine ravaged countries. Also, it is important to devise a long-term strategy to prevent further food shortages and outbreaks of the disease in the areas. It is indeed appalling that in this era of globalisation and scientific breakthroughs, fellow human beings should die of hunger and shortage of food. The shame is on us all. The world should act immediately.

This story was originally published by The Daily Star, Bangladesh

A new study using ground and satellite GPS monitors have concluded that the north-eastern corner of the Indian subcontinent encompassing Bangladesh, eastern India and parts of Myanmar is at risk of a major earthquake, and the effect when it occurs would be on a massive scale (8.2 to 9 on the Richter scale). The study conducted at the Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory at Columbia University should be taken seriously, particularly by Bangladesh which has several issues going against it in the event of a major quake.

A major earthquake may cause massive destruction in the highly populated Dhaka city crammed with unplanned buildings like that seen in this picture taken at Mohammadpur Geneva Camp. Photo: Rahsed Shumon

Although no timeline can be predicted, Dhaka would be badly hit and we should remember that 17 million people call it their home. A big quake will result in the flattening of Dhaka’s high rise skyline since most buildings fail to conform to standards set in the building code. Poor construction means lots of falling debris on to the extremely congested lanes and roads of Dhaka city. Getting relief to those trapped under buildings will be the single largest challenge for a post-quake event. These are challenges that need to be met headlong by policymakers.

This story was originally published by The Daily Star, Bangladesh