Human Rights Council should emerge as a bastion to defend human rights following the principles of universality, impartiality and non-selectivity, says Foreign Minister Dr. A.K. Abdul Momen. He stated this in a video statement delivered at the high-level segment of the 46th session of the UN Human Rights Council.

Quoting the Father of the Nation, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the Foreign Minister mentioned that the vision of the Father of the Nation continues to inspire Bangladesh to promote and protect the human rights of all. The country, under the bold leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, remains fully committed to the rule of law, justice, and gender equality, freedom of expression and the rights of all including minorities, women, children, persons with disabilities, he continued.

The Foreign Minister elaborated how, with a whole of society approach, Bangladesh effectively handled the COVID 19 pandemic-induced impacts respecting rights of the people. 

Dr. Momen stated that Bangladesh continues to provide temporary shelter to the persecuted Rohingyas from its commitment to Human Rights. “Rohingyas are Myanmar nationals and they must return to Myanmar,” he reiterated. In this regard, he emphasized that the Human Right Council and the international community need to constructively engage with Myanmar for the early commencement of repatriation of Rohingyas to their homeland. He underscored the need to ensure implementation of the recommendations of the Advisory Commission on the Rakhine State, ensure accountability and justice and more importantly, creation of a conducive environment in Myanmar.

Highlighting the adverse impact of climate change on human rights, the Foreign Minister emphasized on ensuring climate justice for the victims of climate change. At the same time, he restated Bangladesh’s call to create a new Special Rapporteur on climate change.  

The 46th session of the UN Human Rights Council commenced in Geneva on 22 February 2021. This session will continue till 23 March 2021. 

A new nonstop passenger rail service between India and Bangladesh will start rolling in March. Initially focused on tourism, the link will be utilized to facilitate other trade and commerce sectors in the newer future.

"The service will have its inaugural haul on the 26th March. A diesel powered 10 coach train will start running twice a week from New Jalpaiguri (NJP) Railway station in northern West Bengal. The station comes under Katihar Railway Division of NF Railway. After 9 hour 9 hour long 513 km non-stop journey, the service will terminate at Dhaka. All immigration related works will take place at NJP and Dhaka," said Railway DRM Katihar R K Verma.