report in The Daily Star, July 14, 2023
US Under Secretary for Civilian Security, Democracy, and Human Rights Uzra Zeya has wanted to know from the civil society leaders about the protection of human rights defenders and trade union leaders.
She also wanted to know about the security and protection of the ethnic minorities in the Chattogram Hill Tracts.
The issues were discussed during a meeting of Uzra Zeya with five civil society and trade union leaders at the American Club in the city yesterday.
BELA Chief Executive Syeda Rizwana Hasan, Center for Governance Studies Executive Director Zillur Rahman, Rani Yan Yan, Bangladesh Garment and Industrial Workers Federation President Kalpana Akhter and Solidarity Center Country Program Director AKM Nasim were present.
Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asia Donald Lu and US Ambassador to Bangladesh Peter Haas were also present.
A participant at the event told The Daily Star they elaborately discussed about the problems that human rights defenders face while working in the country. Oftentimes, their criticism about rights situation or development narratives are considered by the government as anti-state.
Civil society organisations face challenges in getting funds approval from the NGO Affairs Bureau, he said.
Also, unfair labour practices are a common problem. The actual trade unions face problems as the pro-government labour leaders dominate the sector. If trade union leaders protest anything that they think unfair, they lose jobs and then cannot get justice even after lodging case at the Labour Court.
The participant also said that Uzra Zeya wanted to learn about the impact of the Digital Security Act.
In response, a participant said the government is speaking about amending the act, but why it is delaying when this act is being abused and many journalists and even common people are being harassed by using the act.
The challenges that the hill people face in the Chattogram Hill Tracts are not reflected in the mainstream media of the country, a participant told Uzra.
Meanwhile, after a meeting between Zeya and Prime Minister’s Private Sector Industry and Investment Adviser Salman F Rahman at the latter’s residence, Salman F Rahman told reporters that he thinks the distance between Washington and Dhaka are getting reduced.
“High level visits are happening. As we engage and exchange our points of views, we can reduce the gap. That is what is happening,” he said.
There were series of meetings between the officials of Bangladesh and US in the last months. The US officials are frequently coming to Bangladesh, he said.
“This is the demonstration of our strong willingness to cooperate and collaborate. We are doing it,” Salman F Rahman said.
He said the main misunderstanding with Washington was the sanction against Rab.
Asked what was discussed about withdrawal of the sanction, he said, “There is a legal process and we are going through it.”
Now, what Washington wants is free, fair and peaceful election, Salman F Rahman said. They did not talk about caretaker government or participatory elections.
https://www.thedailystar.net/news/bangladesh/diplomacy/news/us-under-secretary-uzra-zeya-discusses-rights-issues-civil-society-leaders-3368501
