MOSCOW, 01 November 2022, (TON): Three former Afghan generals told media “Afghan special forces soldiers who fought alongside American troops and then fled to Iran after the chaotic US withdrawal last year are now being recruited by the Russian military to fight in Ukraine.”

They said “the Russians want to attract thousands of the former elite Afghan commandos into a foreign legion with offers of steady $1,500-a-month payments and promises of safe havens for themselves and their families so they can avoid deportation home to what many assume would be death at the hands of the Taliban.”

One of the generals, Abdul Raof Arghandiwal said “they don’t want to go fight but they have no choice.”

He added that the dozen or so commandos in Iran with whom he has texted fear deportation most.

“They ask me, ‘Give me a solution. What should we do? If we go back to Afghanistan, the Taliban will kill us.’”

CAIRO, 01 November 2022, (TON): Egypt and Saudi Arabia have agreed to boost cooperation to combat market monopolies and promote economic competition.

A memorandum of understanding was signed by the heads of the Egyptian Competition Authority and the General Authority for Competition in Saudi Arabia, during a meeting in Cairo.

The agreement seeks to prevent monopolistic practices that restrict competition, in an effort to boost cooperation while respecting the laws of both countries.

KABUL, 01 November 2022, (TON): Abdullah Abdullah, the former head of the Supreme Reconciliation Council of Afghanistan, had a telephone conversation with Thomas West, the US special representative for Afghanistan.

During this conversation, Abdullah and West stressed the need for initiating national dialogues among all Afghan people and reopening of girls’ secondary schools which is necessary to sustain peace and stability in the country.

The US special representative recently discussed the importance of national dialogue with Hamid Karzai, the former president of Afghanistan as well.

The US special representative said in this phone call that the international community has rolled up its sleeves to address basic needs of Afghans, and the Taliban must govern in ways that provide investment and the return of educated professionals.

DHAKA, 01 November 2022, (TON): Visiting German minister Bärbel Kofler said “the work of civil society groups was impeded by restrictions on freedom of expression and also by ‘red tape’ and corruption in Bangladesh.”

Underlining the need for open space for civil society, the German politician said “social and environmental progress was not possible without a vibrant civil society.”

German Parliamentary State Secretary to the Federal Ministry for Economic said “at present, I see a few challenges in Bangladesh that civil society and local partners are facing. The work of civil society groups was impeded by restrictions on freedom of expression and also by red tape and corruption.”

Cooperation and Development Bärbel Kofler at an event in Dhaka marking 50 years of Bangladesh-German Development Cooperation.

DHAKA, 01 November 2022, (TON): Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Monday congratulated Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva on winning the presidential elections in Brazil and is looking forward to working together for world peace and strengthen the political and economic relations for mutual benefit of the two countries.

She wrote in a letter "on behalf of the government and the people of Bangladesh, and on my own behalf, I have the great pleasure of conveying our heartiest congratulations to you on your remarkable victory in the Presidential elections of Brazil."

The Prime Minister said Bangladesh and Brazil enjoy excellent bilateral relations marked by more extensive engagement in trade and investments for mutual benefits, according to a press release of Prime Minister's press wing.

She said "the bond between the two friendly nations is deepening and widening over time.”

DHAKA, 01 November 2022, (TON): UN Special Rapporteur Siobhán Mullally will assess the human rights issue of trafficking in persons during a ten-day official visit to Bangladesh that began.

Mullally said “I will pay particular attention to the main challenges to ensuring the human rights of victims, and effective prevention of trafficking.”

The special rapporteur will present a comprehensive report of her visit to the UN Human Rights Council in June 2023.

She said “a particular concern will be the risks of trafficking in the labour migration context, as well as risks faced by refugees, asylum seekers and stateless persons.”

By Ali Hassan

The last three National Elections in Bangladesh were remained very important in the history of Bangladesh and theses elections affected Bangladesh deeply as well. The two elections in 2014 and 2018 were so criticized at home and abroad because they created political unrest in country which later became a question mark to the integrity of the state and democracy in Bangladesh. The reason of such situation in the state was probably, elections under an elected government. Again not learning the lesson from previous elections and political situation in Bangladesh other general elections have been decided initially to hold in 2023 under the current ruling party Awami League according to the constitution. So, the same question has been raised about the fairness of the upcoming 2023 National Election. This election going to be definitely controversial like in 2014 and 2018 if the recent past history of elections in Bangladesh has been repeated in forth coming elections, so in order to remove the controversial debate, the ruling government passed a law to form an Election Commission at the beginning of the year, which is a miracle in the 50-years of history of Bangladesh.

According to the law on the formation of the Election Commission, a new Election Commission has already been formed. Its chief is Kazi Habibul Awal. He is a retired secretary. Now the task of this Election Commission is very tough and challenging in order to bring back democracy and conduct fair elections in Bangladesh.  Although the main opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party-BNP thinks fair elections are not possible without a caretaker government.  Moreover referring to the BNP as an election-oriented party, the Secretary-General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir revealed that they believe in elections and want to go to that election, they need fair, neutral and acceptable elections. According to the vision of the Akbar Ali Khan, an adviser to the former caretaker government, if the election were held under a political government, the executive branch could not go beyond the direction of the government power. Therefore, in the current situation in Bangladesh, the Election Commission alone can’t hold free, fair and neutral elections.

The newly formed Kazi Habibul Awal Commission is facing a crisis of fairness due to the bias of the last two Election Commissions. The new Election Commission has some work to do to overcome the crisis of fairness. First, to take lessons from the last disputed elections and preparation for fair elections accordingly. Secondly, make everyone in the Election Commission to work beyond the party affiliation and finally, strict enforcement of existing election laws. 

Furthermore in Bangladesh, a new third force Seven Parties and groups which are the, Nagarik Oikya, the Biplabi Workers party, the Gana Adhikar Parishad, the Bhashani Anusari Parishad, the Rashtra Sanskar Andolan the Gana Sanhati Andolan and the Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal. (IPA Service) who have recently launched a new formation called the Ganatantra Mancha (GM), meaning ‘Democracy Forum’, has emerged on the political scene, even as the ruling Awami League (AL) and the chief Opposition outfit Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) bitterly debate pre-election administrative arrangements.  In forthcoming elections , however, most such groups end up supporting one or the other bigger parties, in power or opposition as there are two major parties exist in Bangladesh, the ruling party,  Awami League and the opposition , Bangladesh Nationalist party (BNP). For instance, as the Jukta Front (United Front) was the third formation in the fray V In 2018 elections. However, as the AL won, JF candidates mostly joined the AL, while a few went over to the BNP.

In the upcoming elections this time, GM activists are trying hard to establish their footprint and remain greatly influential in elections. They have also organized some protest rallies over various issues. GM spokesmen, in alignment with the BNP and other opposition parties, have demanded that the 2023 Parliamentary elections be held under a neutral caretaker government, under international observation. They oppose the ‘anti-people policies of the ruling AL Government’ and have called for its resignation. In common with civil rights groups and critics of the Government, they hold the ruling party responsible for the steady erosion of democratic norms in Bangladesh politics, rising corruption, nepotism and the ruthless suppression of opposition activities, through the misuse of police and other agencies.

The BNP and opposition parties have welcomed the new formation. Senior BNP leader, Mr. Nazrulislam Khan, expressing his satisfaction over the demands raised by the GM. They said they were quite in line with the general opposition stand on most issues. The major demand was the conduct of the scheduled elections. There was no hope of fair elections if they were held during the tenure of the Awami League. There must be a new neutral caretaker administration in charge, guided by the Election Commission, to conduct and oversee the general elections, in the presence of international observers.

It has been a consistent stand of the BNP and allied parties that the last 2018 elections were heavily rigged by armed Awami league activists, helped by the police and the administration. The AL had won a stunning 287 out of 298 seats (total seats 300). Again, earlier in 2014 polls 153 opposition candidates boycotted the polls, accusing the AL of manipulating results. Such developments and the resultant controversies had hurt the image of the Al in many international fora and generally lowered the country’s prestige and its claims as a functioning democracy.

As the decks are being cleared for the 2023 polls, the AL insists that most allegations were exaggerated and motivated and the 2018 polls were by and large fair. The desperate opposition, fearing its eventual defeat, had launched a carefully orchestrated smear campaign long before the polls were held. And it has been no different in 2022 so far either. For the record, the composition of the GM is interesting in that observers see in it an omnibus coalition of Leftist, liberal, centrist and even a few conservative, politicians and groups. Some leaders have been known for their activities in the past, when they belonged to other parties. But for the 2023 polls, they have decided to come together and fight for the restoration of democracy, to root out rising corruption and bring about a fairer administration, in Bangladesh.

So for, the restoration of democracy in Bangladesh is being focused by the common people and opposition. The next general elections will portray a clear picture of democracy in Bangladesh if Bangladesh remains successful in conducting fair elections. The people of Bangladesh are getting unite under the umbrella of democracy and well being of state. The autocratic ruling mode in Bangladesh will soon come to an end and the Bangladesh will see the dawn of democracy.

By Nasria Naffin, TON Sri Lanka

Sajith Premadasa the opposition leader of Sri Lanka and Member of Parliament for Colombo district at present. He heads the main opposition party the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) at present.

Born in 1967 in Colombo to Ranasinghe premadasa (the 2^nd executive president of Sri Lanka) and Hema Premadasa Sajith completed his schooling in some of the leading schools from Colombo and obtained his higher education qualifications from the United Kingdom. 

He entered politics in 1994 after the assassination of his father from the Hambanthota district representing the United National Party, one of the main political parties in the country. He was elected to the parliament in 2000 and has served as the deputy health minister. Later he was appointed as the deputy leader of the UNP in 2011. He contested the presidential election in 2019 but was unable to win. In 2020 he quitted the UNP to form his own political party Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJP). His party managed to obtain 54 seats in the parliament at the last general election.

Later Sajith was appointed as the leader of the opposition party in the parliament. He refused the invitation from the former president Gotabaya Rajapaksha to become the Prime minister of the country. 

After the resignation of Gotabaya he withdrew himself at the last minute from the presidential race supporting the former SLPP minister Dullas Allaperuma. However, at the time of protesting and the country was facing its worst crisis the people were expecting Sajith to take over the country and do the needful as he always has promised them. By backing off from contesting and before that refusing the offer by Gotabaya to become the Prime Minister under him has made people doubtful on his future leadership.

During the recent political crisis in Sri Lanka, Sajith acted wisely, standing with the general public and taking timely decisions. He did not want to take up any positions in the government while the ex-president was still in his seat. Sajith wanted the ex- president to resign as did all the other protesters. At a recent programme he has stated that the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) leaders were planning to bring forth a No-Confidence Motion if he accepted the Prime Minister’s post when former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa offered it to him. They were planning to ruin my political career, he mentioned. 

Premadasa also noted that there is enough evidence to prove that the present government cannot do much to resolve the problems of the people, thus, calling immediately for an election is the best option.

Then at the time of selecting a new president Premadasa backed by giving his support to the former SLPP minister Dullas Alahapperuma. This again made his fans a little disappointed. They were doubting that he had taken this decision knowing he was going to lose from the parliament election over Ranil Wickramasinghe. So, by supporting Dullas he has a chance of becoming the Prime minister if Dullas became the President. 

However, 55 years old Premadasa is one of the youngest politicians in the country to run for the top post since 1999. It will favor him to be the preferred leader for the all-new voters and among the youth in the country. Younger generation at the recent protests have mentioned the need of a young leader as they think only a young and strong leader will bring back prosperity to this country and will understand the problems of youth better than most of the existing aged politicians. 

People were already fed up with the dictatorship and wanted a new leader with more transparency. Sajith is well-known for his care for all attitude particularly to the underprivileged. 

The country needs a new leader who can overcome the sluggish economy and end the ongoing political and economic crisis for the people to live peacefully while they enjoy their basic needs. This is the time for a change in the political structure of the country. The political leadership should be transferred to the new generation of the country.

Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake has also managed to win popularity among the general public specially after the country's economic crisis. The 53 years old JVP leader may give Sajith a good competition if both will contest for the next presidential election in 2014. 

Political stability is vital to the country for an uninterrupted growth. Fair and balanced international relationship is equally important to the island nation which has borrowed heavily from China and is located very close to India. Sajith has shown a well-balanced relationship with most of these world giants and he is well recognized as an experienced and educated politician by these countries. Sri Lankans will choose the most suitable leader for their country in the next presidential election after all the lessons they have learned from the past. 

By Usman Khan

Elimination of the system of executive presidency was one of the main demands of the four-month-long anti-government demonstrations that shaken Sri Lanka this year amid a disastrous economic crisis that forced former President to step down. Sri Lanka 22nd constitutional amendment bill restrict the presidential powers.

On Friday, 21 October, the Sri Lankan parliament passed the 22nd amendment bill to the constitution restricting the powers of the president. The bill, gazetted as the 22nd amendment, will become the 21st modification to the constitution after enactment. With 179 legislators in the 225-member assembly voting in favor and one against, the bill was passed by a two-third majority after two days of discussion. The bill purposes to restrain the president’s powers by substituting the controversial 20th amendment (20A) presented in October 2020 under the former President.

The draft bill of the 22nd amendment was the second form of a previous announcement gazetted by the SLPP-UNP government led by the incumbent President. A key feature of the 22nd amendment bill is to bring back the Constitutional Council with a modification in its structure. Introduced by the 17th amendment with the aim to depoliticize public services, the Constitutional Council is a 10-member constitutional authority mandated with upholding independent commissions and observing their matters.

The 22nd amendment suggests a new composition of the Constitutional Council, whose members will now not be selected by the prime minister and the opposition leader alone. In a press briefing held on August 10, Justice Minister announced that under the new suggestion, “one member will be appointed by and of the ruling party, one by and of the main opposition, and one member from the majority selection from and of the other parties. Moreover, three civilian members of the Constitutional Council will be appointed by the Speaker with the approval of parliament without intervention by the Prime Minister or Opposition Leader.”

The Constitutional Council will also recommend the president on the appointment of the Central Bank governor. The then president said that the 22nd amendment, while being based on the 19th amendment, will “transcend the latter’s democratic features while also holding the more liberal facets of the 20th amendment. The 19th amendment, which had meaningfully thinned the powers of the executive presidency, was introduced in 2015 by the incumbent president when he was the prime minister.

Additional provisions of the new amendment aim to reinforce anti-corruption policies and confine the president’s ministerial portfolios. The enactment of the 22nd amendment into law as a “success” for democratic values, there are many who criticize it for falling short of any real progressive change in the political system.

However there are shortcomings in the new law as the Bill has drawn from the weakest aspects of the Nineteenth Amendment and Twentieth Amendment to the Constitution. If ratified it would set up a system of government which would not be able to address the concerns of citizens, for a more accountable and transparent government and in the long run could further demoralize democratic institutions and the citizens’ trust in these institutions.”

The latest amendment to the Constitution does not make any substantive changes to the President’s powers. The centralism of power around a single individual holding office of the presidency still endures. Since coming to power, the incumbent president led government has released a brutal crackdown on all forms of opposition in the name of seeking political and economic stability. On October 18, the Sri Lankan police arrested eight students from a protest march organized by the University of Kelaniya at the call of the Inter University Students Federation (IUSF).

The protests marked two months of arbitrary detention of IUSF convener and activist under the Prevention to Terrorism Act (PTA). Another student activist, was arrested during a protest in Colombo on August 18, alongside 17 others including the convener of the Inter-University (monk) Federation (IUBF). The two have been in administrative detention since then without any charges or judicial review. Defiant students chant slogans at the repressive Police, doing the bidding of their Fascist masters

In the meantime, petroleum workers in the country are also complaining against the government’s bid to privatize the fuel market by allowing more contestants to enter the market as importers, producers, and retailers. The passed Petroleum Products Special Provision Bill Amendment will allow global suppliers to enter as retail operators, eliminate CPC control on Jet Fuel & liberalize energy sector. On October 18, at least 4,000 workers under the umbrella of CPC Trade Union Collective (TUC), a combination of 11 trade unions, participated in a protest strike near the parliament, in spite of intimidations from the authorities to punish them under the draconian Essential Public Services Act (EPSA).

SAO PAULO, 31 October 2022, (TON): Brazil’s electoral authority said Sunday that Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva of the leftist Worker’s Party defeated incumbent Jair Bolsonaro to become the country’s next president.

With 98.8 percent of the votes tallied, da Silva had 50.8 percent and Bolsonaro 49.2 percent, and the election authority said da Silva’s victory was a mathematical certainty.

Da Silva the country’s former president from 2003-2010 has promised to restore the country’s more prosperous past, yet faces faces headwinds in a polarized society.

It is a stunning return to power for da Silva, 77, whose 2018 imprisonment over a corruption scandal sidelined him from that year’s election, paving the way for then-candidate Bolsonaro’s win and four years of far-right politics.