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Afshain Afzal
By Afshain Afzal
As of 7 September 2024, Hamas is waiting for concrete steps by Israel and her Western allies to restore peace in Gaza and Palestinian territories. In a statement issued here at the Ukrainian capital during a one-to-one meeting between stakeholders head of the Hamas government in exile said, "We are waiting for the International community to come into action for the execution of arrest warrants issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC). The Palestinian leadership is ready to give guarantees for the appearance of those Palestinians against whom arrest warrants have been issued by the International Court, subject to subsequent surrender by the Israel leaders involved in genocide and war crimes.
In another development, the heads of the American and British Intelligence agencies confirmed that they are working on a ceasefire and hostage deal in Gaza. In this regard, US CIA Director William Burns and British MI6 Chief Richard Moore said in a joint statement, "Our intelligence agencies had exploited available intelligence channels to push hard for restraint and de-escalation.”
They said, "ceasefire between Israel and Hamas in the war could end the suffering and loss of life of Palestinian civilians as well as bring home the hostages reportedly under confinement”. However, the strategy to reach to the Hamas leadership and traces of Israeli hostages miserably failed as the Polio teams in Gaza had failed to find evidence. This ground reality has exposed those Israeli false allegations that Israeli hostages are held by Hamas in Gaza. The WHO claims that they have completed the first phase of polio vaccination in Gaza.
The agencies are positive, “We are still to waiting to check remaining areas in the garb of Polio campaign”, but to a disappointment Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in a statement that reports of a breakthrough are inaccurate. There is no doubt that Hamas is not involved in the 7th October 2023 terrorist attacks on Israel and no knowledge about hostages made on 6th October. Meanwhile, the Palestinians have already announced their independence as the Islamic Republic of Palestine on 26 July 2024 and majority of the countries have recognized Palestine as an independent and sovereign state. These countries including their civil aviation and other organizations have altered their maps by adding Palestine as a sovereign state. Hamas leadership in exile demanded immediate arrest of war criminals against whom arrest warrants have been issued failing which death warrants may be issued for those who refuse to obey the ICC's orders. No matter what Prime Minister Netanyahu says hopes are high for a long-lasting peace between Jews and Muslims.
By Afshain Afzal
The cat is out of bag… Indian operations against Bangladesh are not only exposed but New Delhi has no place to hide. PM Sheikh Hasina exposed the role of the US but the Indian wish list to annex Bangladesh as Indian Union, with a special autonomous status, has been recently exposed. Nevertheless, the main player at the stage, Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus is unable to take over the stage due to premature leakages. Muhammad Yunus was always close to India due to pre-partition origin but we noticed the frequency of air travel to India by Muhammad Yunus increased before and after the award of the Noble Prize. India awarded Yunus "Shera Bangalee 2006". At Kolkata, India plans were chalked out to replace Bangladeshi leadership with Muhammad Yunus and Indian-origin migrants to Bangladesh. Grameen Banks of Bangladesh and Indian West Bengal banks merged as Paschim th Banga Gramin Bank (PBGB) and Bangiya Gramin Vikash Bank (BGVB) established in February 2007. Muhammad Yunus has embezzled billions of dollars, involved in money laundering and anti-Bangladesh activities.
If the latest development New Delhi has asked Muhammad Yunus if PM Hasina should be allowed pre-recorded limited access to media but disallowed and PM Hasina was given a disgraceful ultimatum, “I have told Hasina that she should keep her mouth shut till her trial commence.” In another development, Indian West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has declined to endorse a deal signed during former PM of India Manmohan Singh's Dhaka in 2011 while Bangladesh's Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus has come up with a new agreement to resolve the Teesta water-sharing treaty with India. There is a conspiracy going on to deprive Bangladesh’s rights over the rivers. Dhaka must not repeat the mistake Pakistan committed by signing the 1960 Indus Water Treaty, which deprived Pakistan of its due share according to International law. The Bangladeshi nation needs to understand that regimes and interim governments should not be allowed to deal with such matters, and all decisions should be based on international law.
Muhammad Yunus has started political victimization in which many political leaders of Awami Party and allies have disappeared and some arrested without warrants. The Interim puppet led by Muhammad Yunus has also closed 'Access to Information' (A2I) programme between the Government of Bangladesh and UNDP which was progressing well. Earlier Muhammad Yunus pressurized the World Bank to block funding Bangladesh's Padma bridge project, however, now he is working to get loans worth $14 billion from the International Monetary Fund, the World Bank, Asian Development Bank and other international lenders. It is high time for the people of Bangladesh to stop self-centered businessman Muhammad Yunus from undertaking strategic decisions that will ultimately deprive the sovereignty and integrity of Bangladesh. The international community must also pressurize India to allow PM Hasina freedom of speech and movement as well as access to media.
By Afshain Afzal
Prime Minister of Bangladesh Sheikh Hasina Wajed disappeared on 5 August 2024 and still missing, but no one is bothered as the UNO, Human Rights and International Organization have full faith on Bangladeshi mob and plotters that PM Hasina resigned and fled to India. No one is certain if she has been kidnapped, unconstitutionally detained by Bangladesh authorities or in the illegal custody of India but all seems OK as it is in the interest of the stakeholders. Almost over a month has passed but no official or public statement has been issued by the Prime Minister of Bangladesh which is a matter of concern.
All guess works converge at a point that the political and human rights of PM Hasina and her party as well as all who follow her ideology have been violated but the UNO and Human Rights organizations are silent observers as nothing has happened. Quite surprisingly, the stage is all set to execute PM Hasina after depriving her from her premiership despite enjoying 3 / 4th majority and despite most of those killed or arrested in the June – August protests belonged to PM Hasina party or allies. At least 12 criminal cases filed against PM Hasina including nine for murder, one for abduction, and two for committing crimes against humanity and genocide in Bangladesh to create hatred in the minds and hearts against the leaders who voted to get independence from foreign rulers and partition from Hindu majority India.
PM Sheikh Hasina who ruled Bangladesh from 1996 to 2001, was accused by two businessmen in separate cases of extortion totalling 80 million taka and murder. If we recall former PM Khaleda Zia, who regained power in 2001 was arrested in 2007 on corruption charges. Similarly, PM Hasina was also arrested and held in prison on charges of extortion by the military-backed government. The charges against Hasina were dropped but she continued to face some extortion and corruption charges. Due to weak justice system such political victimization and delaying tactics as matter of routine, which should have not occurred.
After the unconstitutional ouster of PM Hasina on 5 August 2024, an unconstitutional and illegitimate government led by Interim Government of Bangladesh’s Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus took the stage and is misusing powers and authority as if he is democratically elected leader of Bangladesh. In the recent development, Muhammad Yunus signed the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearances on 29 August 2024. Next task on the agenda is proactively work towards the full implementation of the Convention by ratifying it and enacting a strong domestic legislation. If we recall, on 29 August 2024, the unconstitutional interim government announced a 5 member commission of inquiry that would investigate reports of enforced disappearances between January 2010 and August 2024. We should not forget that Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus has been assigned by the invisible elements from foreign lands to ensure ratification of International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearances, remove reservations and declarations by Bangladesh while signing International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights to abolition of the death penalty, allow comeback of enemies of Bangladesh like Taslima Nasreen, develop equity between the illegal non-Bengalis and original Bengali Muslims, Hindus and others, remove the names of all Bengali leaders who created Pakistan including the family of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and to establish broad-based pro-Indian and pro-Western secular government in Bangladesh.
By Afshain Afzal
A United Nations team headed by Mr Rory Mungoven, Chief of the Asia-Pacific region at the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, arrived in Bangladesh on 22 August 2024, to discuss with unconstitutionally installed interim government the process of investigating alleged human rights violations during the recent movement, which toppled the government of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in August 2024. The official statement from the UN’s team said, “It is important to note that this visit is not an investigation, but rather it will focus on discussing the process for investigating human rights violations in light of the recent violence and unrest.” The UNO is a world organization of peace and justice and one expects that this organization will carry out probe and investigation on the basis of internationally-recognized justice system, democratic norms and rule of law.
It is alleged that the UN fact-finding team is in Bangladesh to probe atrocities committed during the student protest in July-August 2024. However, it is on record that all the parties including Awami League of PM Sheikh Hasina have called for probe into the killing during the unrest and identification of those who were behind the killing of students and other during the protest. The video and photographs of June – August 2024 reflected that anti-PM Hasina mobs carrying large sticks and iron rods killed or injured many of PM Hasia loyalists including students, government officials especially police personnel, lawyers, judges, politicians and others including ordinary citizens. In a statement PM Hasina said, “I want everything to be investigated, because it needs to be found out what happened behind it and how these happened. I have appealed to United Nations to send their experts. If any other country wants they can send their experts too”. She added, “I want these incidents to be investigated properly. We’ll have to take action against the culprits no matter who they are”.
If we recall, on 10 December 2021, the US Treasury Department imposed sanctions on Bangladesh’s paramilitary force, the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB), as well as seven of its current and former officers due to serious human rights violations whereas RAB received training and equipment from USA and operated in a manner taught by the Americans. Later, the Human Rights Watch, Bangladesh opened forced disappearances Inquiry on 29 August 2023. Statements such as one from the US issued last year said, “those undermining democratic elections would be denied visas” and similar other statements generally encourage activism by Human Rights organizations that is taken as direct support by powerful western governments. This bring the UNO and human right organizations into action but surprisingly, on 15 May 2024, US Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asia Donald Lu told the Bangladesh government that they would support the withdrawal of sanctions against RAB. The US also asked Bangladesh to ensure timely payments to American companies conducting business.
One wonders why the US Treasury Department imposed sanctions on Bangladesh’s paramilitary force, the RAB, as well as seven of its current and former officers due to serious human rights violations and why after two years later, the US authorities claimed to be supporting the withdrawal of sanctions against RAB…. It seems these are mere pressure tactics, blackmailing political governments and noting else. Are these actions by powerful nations tricks, pressure tactics, blackmailing’s or what? It is strange that India has made the whole Kashmir nation, after illegally declaring disputed Jammu and Kashmir State as part of Indian Union and all those who resist are eliminated but the UNO is silent. Similarly, in Gaza same practice is followed by the Israelis forces, who are continuously carrying out genocide and other war crimes against Palestinian Muslims. Quite surprisingly this time it is the turn is of Bangladesh where PM Hasina has been deprived from her premiership despite enjoying 3 / 4th majority and most of those killed or arrested belonged to PM Hasina party or allies, but at least 12 criminal cases filed against Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina including nine for murder, one for abduction, and two for committing crimes against humanity and genocide in Bangladesh. Human and political rights in Bangladesh require the restoration of democracy and the return of PM Hasina.
By Afshain Afzal
Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Ukraine was not a pleasant one. Indian Ministry of External Affairs issued a statement ahead of the departure of Prime Minister Modi's visit to Ukraine and Poland that it will widen and deepen India-Ukraine and India-Poland relations. Embarrassment after embarrassment, the Indian foreign policy has been exposed; first the Indian role in destabilizing Bangladesh and feeding wrong intelligence inputs and pulses that led to pro-Indian interim government in Bangladesh and now Indian military personnel caught redhanded campaigning inside Ukraine helping Russia in achieving military targets. Without condemning either Russian or Ukrainians, Prime Minister Modi concluded his visit by saying. “As a friend and partner, we hope for an early return of peace and stability in the region.” Indian External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar also concluded the visit, "The two sides need to engage with each other to find an acceptable solution."
The fact cannot be denied that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky summoned Prime Minister Modi to answer a few simple questions including, “What the Indian nationals in Russian uniforms doing in Ukraine?” and “India must guarantee a complete end to any further recruitment of Indian nationals in the Russian Army”. Although, this was the first-ever visit by an Indian Prime Minister to Ukraine since diplomatic relations were established between the two countries in 1992 but we saw no smiles on the faces of the two leaders. India still buys more than 50% of its defence equipment from Russia but in recent days, Washington has discussed India’s prime role in Indo-Pacific Alliance that would allow Indian hegemony over the South Asian and Eastern nations. Washington has given assurance to New Delhi of its control of Gilgit Baltistan and Azad Jammu and Kashmir to have a direct link with Afghanistan and Central Asian states on the guarantee that India will contribute bulk of her soldiers in restoring American and alliance influence over the areas of influence and dominance as well as Indian scientists for the experimentations.
Early this years there were reports that hundreds of Indians joining the Russian forces to fight against Muslim dominance in the coastal areas of Ukraine and that eight Indian nationals who joined Russian forces were killed in Ukraine. In March Indian Central Bureau of Investigation confirmed that two Russia-based agents involved in human-trafficking network that pushed Indians into the Ukraine war zone. However, this was taken as cover-up stories and later New Delhi officially admitted that many Indian nationals proceeded to Russia on “support jobs” in Russian military but Indian authorities had no idea that they would be sent to front line in war against Ukraine. Indian agencies also tried to link it with Islamic State in India but the on-ground evidence reflects non-Muslim Indian nationals induction in the Russian Army and serving Indian Armed Forces personnel in advisory roles. If we recall, in March eight Indian nationals were killed in Ukraine, two months back three more Indians were killed fighting in Ukraine. In July one more soldier was killed while now an Indian military advisor is reported in custody being interrogated.
India is facing an embracing situation when several Indian nationals were caught spying for Russia in the past but it was brushed aside. This time, with the killing of Indian national Sandeep Chandran son of Kankil Chandran, resident of Nayarangadi in Thrissur district in an attack on a Russian military group in Ukraine has not only created mistrust between Ukraine and India but also Washington and New Delhi as India is playing her own game despite a strong member of the Western alliance. The report that an Indian military advisor is reported in custody is being interrogated but the same could not be confirmed by independent sources. One wonders that when there is a great need of peace and harmony around the world India’s double game in many fronts around the world is a matter of concern. Where the peace-loving Indian civilians and a majority of politicians are unaware of what Indian military and intelligence services are doing, India is trapped in a dangerous game where not only India as a nation is dragged into an awkward situation but the security and safety of the who regions has been threatened.
By Afshain Afzal
Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus has committed an unpardonable crime due to his vested personal interest and venom against the Bangla nation, he cheated and destroyed the pride of Bangladesh 'Grameen Bank', created illegally numerous business companies from this Government-owned non-profit entity and sold to the foreigners. He was involved in money laundering and still continuing it without any fear or regret. If we recall, Norway blamed Muhammad Yunus as Government appointed head of the Grameen Bank, in breach of the agreement he transferred nearly $100m of Norwegian aid from Grameen Bank to other parts of Grameen including Grameen Kalyan in 1998. Later, Muhammad Shahjahan, his Advisor, who was General Manager of Grameen Bank from August 2011 to October 2014 settled violation by claiming that they had transferred the fund to 'save tax', but not to 'evade tax'. Nobody at that time had any idea that Muhammad Yunus despite being a government employee illegally created part of his business empire of 30 companies as the Grameen group of companies.
The story revolves around Grameen America, the Grameen Foundation, and other businesses that support microcredit. Muhammad Yunus has been deputed to support refugees from India, Bihar, and neigbourhood including the displaced Rohingya population in Bangladesh and sideline the original inhabitants of Bangladesh “the Bengali majority” who still follow orthodox Islam. That is not all but he is also switching the fruits of Grameen from Bangladesh to India and other foreign entities. No one can deny the fact that Muhammad Yunus created ‘Yunus Social Business Global Initiatives’ (YSB) in 2011 without the Government of Bangladesh’s approval and made at least three partners and many others behind this business organization. YSB was co-founded by Muhammad Yunus, dual-nationality holder of US and Bangladesh, and German national holders; Saskia Bruysten and Sophie Eisenmann. YSB’s prime focus in on India instead of marginalized people of Bangladesh.
Muhammad Ibrahim, brother of Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus writes in his book, “People and Science - An enthusiast’s memoir 1950 – 90” about partition and how his family in Niribili in Chittagong employed a special tutor to get acquainted with Bangla and Arabic and the family had extended relationship in India, Iran and Burma. Ibrahim narrates in his book that Muhammad Yunus was associated leftist student union of Chittagong USPP (United Students Progressive Party) considered as pseudo-communists bent on destroying the democracy, heritage and religion of Bangladeshis and that USPP was acting as an agent of India helping in realizing the latter’s political and cultural design on us. Being Secretary of USPP. Muhammad Yunus contested elections but his party USPP was defeated. Ibrahim is right that Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus will destroy democracy, heritage and religion of Bangladeshis and is acting as an agent of India and the US as will as where his extended family hails from.
The Indian direct intervention and blessing from the West was quite visible when on 6 August 2024, when Bangladeshi president Mohammed Shahabuddin nominated Muhammad Yunus to serve as the head of the interim government of Bangladesh, despite the fact he was facing corruption cases and he, along with his three colleagues were sentenced to six months in jail and was ordered to clear all taxes against his business companies. Although Sheikh Hasina Wajed is still the legitimate Prime Minister of Bangladesh as she never resigned nor requested the President to dissolve the parliament and constitution does not support reelections or appointment of Muhammad Yunus as head of the interim government of Bangladesh but why there was an Indian backed intervention in Bangladesh is quite evident? Muhammad Yunus is the same person who claimed to be the right hand of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman from the US during the war of independence and today he is the mastermind behind of insulting national hero and destruction of Bangabandhu belongings including his statues through students.
There are serious questions that must be answered including how Muhammad Yunus is the owner of Grameen Bank or its derivatives or the offshoots? We know that he was a lecturer of Economics at Government College and continued on his return to Bangladesh in 1972 and later he was employed in the Government-owned Grameen Bank dismissed by the Central Bank of Bangladesh in March 2011 for misuse of authority and violations. The Government-funded Grameen Bank project started in 1976 as an action research pilot project in "Jobra" village in Chattogram district of Bangladesh that through an ordinance of the Bangladesh government dated 2 October 1983, was converted into the Grameen Bank. Isn’t Muhammad Yunus illegally using the names of Grameen and derivative trademarks, which are protected by intellectual property rights? In May 2024, the World Bank and many other donors approved over US $ 1 billion for refugees and host the community. It is high time that all the aid coming to Bangladesh should be deposited directly in the Grameen Bank owned by the Government of Bangladesh and not the illegally created offshoots businesses having shares of foreign nations and companies.
L' Alpe d' Huez (France), 18 August 2024, (TON) - Kasia Niewiadoma of Poland won the Tour de France Femmes on Sunday, beating the defending champion, Demi Vollering, by just four seconds.
Tour de France is a race that was almost 950km long.
Niewiadoma, 29, was full of tears when she realized she had won by four seconds.
Final general classification
Katarzyna Niewiadoma (Pol/Canyon-SRAM) 24hrs 36mins 07secs
Demi Vollering (Ned/SD Worx-Protime) +04secs
Pauliena Rooijakkers (Ned/Fenix-Deceuninck) +10secs
Evita Muzic (Fra/FDJ–Suez) +1min 21secs
Gaia Realini (Ita/TFS) +2mins 19secs
Cedrine Kerbaol (Fra/Ceratizit-WNT) +2mins 51secs
Sarah Gigante (Aus/AG-Soudal) +7mins 09secs
Lucinda Brand (Ned/Lidl–Trek) +8mins 06secs
Juliette Labous (Fra/Team dsm-firmenich PostNL) +8mins 07secs
Thalita de Jong (Ned/Lotto Dstny) +8mins 12secs
JERUSALEM, 16 August 2024, (TON) - The Palestinian health ministry said in a statement on Friday that it has detected the first confirmed case of polio in the Gaza strip in the city of Deir Al-Balah for a 10-month-old baby who had not received any polio vaccination dose. UNICEF said poliovirus was detected in environmental samples from Khan Younis and Deir al-Balah in July 2024.
International aid bodies call for a pause in the conflict for make way for a vaccination drive. The Palestinian Health Ministry is being persuaded by UNICEF to work with UNICEF to vaccinate all children under 10 years old in Gaza, approximately more than 640,000 children.
The United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has called the proposal “a must,” noting the “ultimate vaccine for polio is peace and an immediate humanitarian ceasefire.” In an emergency meeting of WHO and UNICEF called for a humanitarian pause in Gaza for 7 days to allow two rounds of polio vaccination to take place, following the recent detection of virus in environmental samples and the identification of three suspected cases of acute flaccid paralysis in children.
By Afshain Afzal
The world has decided to contribute the Polio-drops vaccines to compensate Israeli genocide of orthodox Palestinians in Gaza; some 40,000 Palestinians martyred in Gaza alone in less than 10 months according to unconfirmed sources based on media credible reports. Gaza has been polio-free for decades but how and why this happened is only known to the world powers that are supporting, funding, arming and defending Palestinian genocide. This is the typical strategy when Western and allies attack Muslim nations. Ironically, companies from countries supporting Israeli genocide in Gaza will be in the forefront sending supplies of the polio-drop vaccines and their trained workers.
Without wasting a day, the United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has called the proposal “a must,” noting the “ultimate vaccine for polio is peace and an immediate humanitarian ceasefire.” In an emergency meeting of the World Health Organization and UNICEF called for a humanitarian pause in Gaza for 7 days to allow two rounds of polio vaccination to take place, following the recent detection of virus in environmental samples and the identification of three suspected cases of acute flaccid paralysis in children.
These authorities have made such an innocent appeal to the Israeli authorities to pause genocide for seven days to complete two rounds of polio vaccination so that the Palestinian children, who die as the result of Israeli and allies’ bombings, die polio-free. Thank you! UNO, WHO, UNICEF and hundreds of International INGOs for such a generous acts but please remember Almighty Allah (God) is watching us. One wonders had the same proposal put forward for execution for the children of Israelis, Americans, Briton etc and those working in UNO, WHO, UNICEF and hundreds of International INGOs in case facing a similar situation in Gaza.
DHAKA, 15 August 2024, (TON) - A team of United Nations experts will visit Bangladesh next week to investigate the killings of the protesters ahead of and in the aftermath of Sheikh Hasina's alleged resignation as the prime minister last week. The UN fact-finding team will probe atrocities committed during the Student Revolution in July and early this month. There are fears from some circles that Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will not be provided with justice but the competence of inquiry cannot be challenged.
Earlier, UN human rights chief Volker Turk spoke to Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus late Wednesday on the phone. Volker Turk in a post late on Wednesday night said, "Promising phone call with @ChiefAdviserGoB Muhammad Yunus. I assured him of @UNHumanRights Office's solidarity with the people of #Bangladesh & our support to the interim govt at this pivotal time. An inclusive, human rights-centred approach will ensure this transition succeeds." In response, Muhammad Yunus said in a connecting post on X: The UN rights chief said a UN-led investigation will be launched very soon to probe the killing of the protesters during the Student Revolution. If we recall, the protesting mob badly destroyed the judicial system of Bangladesh by forcing judges to resign on a gunpoint. Now the Courts’ decisions are likely to be biased.
Meanwhile, a complaint was filed on Wednesday with the investigation agency of Bangladesh's International Crimes Tribunal against Sheikh Hasina and eight others, accusing them of committing genocide and crimes against humanity during the mass movement of the students against her government on grounds, “on July 19, students were conducting a nonviolent demonstration when police opened fire”. Police in Dhaka said they have been forced and ordered to lodge FIR several weeks after the incident accept “a murder case against Sheikh Hasina and eight others”.
If we recall, two years back on 14 August 2022, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet visited Bangladesh upon the invitation of the Government. travel to Cox’s Bazar where she will be able to visit camps housing Rohingya refugees from Myanmar and meet with refugees, officials and non-governmental organisations. We should not forget that Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina exposed a conspiracy on 23 May 2024, exposed the conspiracy that aimed to carve out a Christian state like East Timor, comprising of parts from Bangladesh and Myanmar with base in the Bay of Bengal she was in real trouble.
