TIB, ARTICLE 19 urge comprehensive personal data protection law

Staff Correspondent Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) and ARTICLE 19 have expressed concerns about the draft Personal Information Protection Act, 2024, which, like the now-replaced Digital Security Act, has the potential to reveal personal data under the guise of protecting it. TIB urged the government to take into account the recommendations made by the anti-graft watchdog, which include upholding fundamental rights, focusing only on personal data, reevaluating or doing away with data localization requirements, creating an independent authority for data protection, putting judicial oversight in place for access to personal data, limiting exemptions for actions judged to be in the public interest, and instituting a phased enforcement schedule. The call came at a press conference jointly organized by TIB and ARTICLE 19, a British international human rights organization, in the capital`s Dhanmondi on Sunday. Dr Iftekharuzzaman, TIB executive director, attended the event, which was moderated by Towhidul Islam, director of Outreach and Communication. Sheikh Manjur-E-Alam, ARTICLE 19 regional director for Bangladesh and South Asia, delivered the keynote address. Dr Iftekharuzzaman said: “It is outstanding that the government discussed with numerous stakeholders before creating this law. This draft is improved over the previous one, but the issue of regulation in the name of personal data protection persists. “The draft is anticipated to be presented in parliament soon, and stakeholders such as ourselves and other civil society organizations are concerned that the act would be used as a control instrument. We ask the government to consider our advice before adopting this bill." Sheikh Manjur-E-Alam said: “This might erode transparency and accountability while reducing individual control over personal information. The PDPA should relate to current constitutional provisions for privacy and freedom of expression." “There should be judicial scrutiny of what constitutes national security and what constitutes public interest. We further recommend that an independent data protection commission be established under this act to ensure adequate enforcement of data protection standards,” he added.

Attacks on doctors, negligence in treatment won’t not be tolerated: Minister

Health Minister Samanta Lal Sen on Sunday said the government will not tolerate attacks on doctors and will also take action for medical negligence by professionals. In reference to the recent incidents of doctors being assaulted in Chittagong, the minister said doctors should give their full effort to treat their patients, and the rest will be taken care of by the ministry. “It has been three months of my new role as a minister. Wherever I have gone in this short time, everyone has told me that I am a minister for the doctors. I am also a minister for the patients,” the minister said while speaking at an orientation program of the newly appointed doctors at Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University in the capital. Samanta Lal said: “I will extend my full cooperation for the well-being of the medical professionals simultaneously; I am expecting good behaviours from doctors towards service-seeking people in the country.” He said: “Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman had dreamt of providing healthcare facilities to the doorsteps of the common people. I think you (doctors) are the main architects to fulfil the dream of Bangabandhu by ensuring treatment facilities for all.” The director general of the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS), Md Khurshid Alam, and the DG of the Directorate of Family Welfare, Sahan Ara Banu, among others, were present at the program. Earlier, on-duty doctor Raktim Das was badly beaten up at the Patiya General Hospital in Chittagong, for his alleged delay in treating a patient on April 10. Four days later, an attack was carried out on another doctor of Chittagong Medical Centre Hospital, Riaz Uddin Shiblu, in connection with the death of a patient suffering from pneumonia. On April 18, the minister said that the government is considering enacting a law to ensure the security and safety of doctors across the country. The Doctors’ Protection Act will be placed in Parliament and passed at any cost. Condemning recent attacks and assaults on doctors in several areas of the country, he said beating up service providers cannot bring any good to anyone. In another instance, the minister said that strikes called by doctors cannot be ethical in any way. “I never want my doctors to go on strikes. I am working to keep them happy,” he said.

PM Hasina returns home Monday after six-day Thailand visit

Staff Correspondent Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will return home on Monday from Bangkok, wrapping up her six-day official visit to Thailand. She arrived in Thailand on Wednesday on both a bilateral and multilateral visit at the invitation of her Thai counterpart Srettha Thavisin. The Bangladesh premier on April 26 held bilateral talks with Thavisin at the Government House. and The two prime ministers then witnessed the signing of five bilateral documents on visa exemption, cooperation on energy, tourism and customs matters, and the negotiation of a free trade agreement (FTA) between Bangladesh and Thailand. During the official luncheon hosted by the Thai prime minister there, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina called her visit a milestone in the bilateral relations between the two countries. “This official visit will remain a milestone in our bilateral relations. It has ushered in a new era of fruitful partnership between our two countries,” she said. Besides, she paid a courtesy call on the King and the Queen of the Kingdom of Thailand Maha Vajiralongkorn Phra Vajiraklaochaoyuhua and Suthida Bajrasudhabimalalakshan at Amphorn Satharn Throne Hall in Dusit Palace on Thursday. As part of her multilateral engagement, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina addressed the 80th Session of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (Unescap) on April 25 at the Escap Hall (2nd floor), United Nations Conference Center (UNCC) in Bangkok. The five documents signed between Dhaka and Bangkok-- an agreement, three memorandums of understanding (MoUs) and a Letter of Intent (LOI) – are Agreement on Visa Exemption for holders of official passports; MoU on Energy Cooperation; MoU on Cooperation and Mutual Assistance in Customs Matters; MoU on Cooperation in the field of tourism; and LOI to commence negotiations on a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) by the year 2024. On April 24, the Bangladesh premier was accorded a warm reception amid a 19-round gun salute at the Don Mueang International Airport here heralding her arrival in Bangkok.

Heat alert extended for 3 days

Staff Correspondent The Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD) on Sunday extended the heat alert that the ongoing heatwave is likely to persist for 72 more hours starting this morning. A heatwave is sweeping most parts of the country, with intermittent rains and thundershowers in some places. "Due to increasing moisture incursion, the discomfort may increase," said the alert from the meteorological department, signed by Meteorologist Hafizur Rahman. This announcement follows earlier alerts issued on April 19, April 22, and April 25, as the BMD continues to monitor and respond to the challenging weather patterns affecting the region. Meanwhile, primary and secondary schools and colleges reopened today after a long break that included the Eid holidays, Pahela Baishakh, and a week off due to the scorching temperatures.

First Hajj flight on May 9

Staff Correspondent The inaugural Hajj flight departing from Dhaka to Saudi Arabia is set for May 9. However, the schedules of the other flights have not been finalized yet, Muhammad Kamruzzaman, director of the Dhaka Hajj Office, confirmed the matter. He said passengers will be informed about the schedule soon. This year, 4,289 individuals have registered for Hajj under government arrangements, while 78,895 have registered under private management. Hajj may begin on June 16 depending on moon sighting. Traditionally, Hajj flights commence one month before the start of the Hajj pilgrimage each year.

5 armed Rohingya men held in Cox’s Bazar

Staff Correspondent The Armed Police Battalion (APBn) on Sunday detained five Rohingya men armed with local and foreign weapons in a raid on the Rohingya camp at Ukhiya in Cox`s Bazar. An APBn team led by Additional Superintendent of Police Ahidur Rahman conducted the operation in the D-9 block of Kutupalong camp in the morning, APBn-14 Commander Additional Deputy Inspector General (ADIG) Mohammad Iqbal confirmed. The detainees are Mohammad Jubair, 22, Dil Mohammad, 35, Mohammad Khalil, 34, Mohammad Idris, 28, and Mohammadullah, 25. The police said all those detained are active members of the Arakan Rohingya Army (ARA), an armed organization in Rakhine. Of them, Jubair is the commander of the ARA. ADIG Mohammad Iqbal said that the detainees are active members of an armed terrorist organization of the Rohingyas. Each of them is accused of involvement in various crimes. The police seized five foreign pistols, two local guns, and 18 rounds of bullets. Preparations are underway to file a case at Ukhiya police station.

SSC results to be published in the second week of May

Staff Correspondent The results of this year`s Secondary School Certificate (SSC) and equivalent exams are expected to be published in the second week of May. "Usually the results are published within 60 days after the completion of the written examination. So the result is likely to be published within May 11", said Tapan Kumar Sarker, chairman of Dhaka Education Board and President of the Inter-Education Board Coordination Committee. Proposals have been sent to the Ministry of Education for selecting the possible dates of May 9, 10 and 11 for publishing the result, he said, adding: "The result will be published after the approval of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina". The SSC and equivalent exams for 2024 started on February 15. Some 20,24,192 students appeared in the examinations under eleven education boards. This year`s SSC and equivalent written exams concluded on March 12. The practical exams ended on March 20.

EC fears low voter turnout due to heatwave

Election Commissioner (EC) Anisur Rahman has commented that there is concern about the attendance of voters in the Upazila Parishad elections due to the intense heat amid the ongoing heatwave across Bangladesh. He said: “We are working every moment to make the election festive and participatory. However, due to the severe heatwave, there is concern about the voter turnout in the election.” The election commissioner said this while responding to reporters at the Sylhet District Shilpakala Academy on Saturday afternoon after an exchange meeting with upazila election officials. Anisur said that the Upzilla Parishad polls will be fair and credible like the 12th national parliamentary election on January 7. There will be no partiality in the election, he assured. He said announcing an election boycott is a democratic right, but the people will not boycott local elections. The Election Commission is determined to do whatever is necessary to conduct a free, fair, and neutral election.

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TIB, ARTICLE 19 urge comprehensive personal data protection law

Attacks on doctors, negligence in treatment won’t not be tolerated: Minister

PM Hasina returns home Monday after six-day Thailand visit

Heat alert extended for 3 days

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Celebration of 104t Birth Anniversary of Bangabandhu and National Children’s Day celebrated in Kathm

The 104th birth anniversary of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and National Children`s Day was celebrated today at the Bangladesh Embassy in Kathmandu with due solemnity and festivity. In the morning, the national flag was hoisted in the Embassy premises; wreaths were placed at the portrait of the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and messages given by the dignitaries were read out.

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South Asia

India Hosts 6th Session of the International Solar Alliance Assembly in New Delhi

The Sixth Assembly of the International Solar Alliance (ISA) convened in New Delhi today, presided over by Raj Kumar Singh, Minister of Power and New & Renewable Energy, Government of India, who serves as the President of the ISA Assembly. Ministers from 20 countries and delegates representing 116 Member and Signatory countries gathered for this important event, according to a press release. In his opening remarks, Raj Kumar Singh emphasized the crucial role of renewable energy sources in addressing global energy challenges. He stated that renewable energy has the potential to supply 65 percent of the world`s total electricity by 2030 and decarbonize 90 percent of the power sector by 2050. The International Solar Alliance is committed to making solar energy the preferred energy source, attracting investments, and ensuring ample energy availability to meet growing global demands. To support this, ISA has expanded its Viability Gap Funding (VGF) mechanism, increasing the grant to 35% of the project cost based on the capacity and needs of member countries. Co-President of the Assembly, Chrysoula Zacharopoulou, France`s Minister of State for Development, Francophonie, and International Partnerships, emphasized France`s commitment to the ISA. France has provided significant financial support for solar projects, including the construction of the Onigbolo solar power plant in Benin, bringing 25 megawatts of clean energy to the people of Benin. She emphasized the importance of supporting partner countries in their energy transition plans, said the release. Dr Ajay Mathur, Director General of the International Solar Alliance, stressed the need to accelerate the deployment of solar energy, particularly in developing countries and for applications that enhance the daily lives of those without reliable energy access. ISA is facilitating over 9.5 GW of solar applications in 55 developing countries and providing training to thousands of people in supporting solar energy. The organization is working on establishing STAR Centers as hubs of technology, knowledge, and expertise in solar energy, it said. The Assembly also discussed the ISA`s initiatives, including the development of solar mini-grids to provide universal energy access and mechanisms to attract private sector investment through guarantees provided by the Global Solar Facility. In May 2020, ISA initiated Demonstration Projects in Least Developed Countries (LDCs) and Small Island Developing States (SIDS) to showcase scalable solar technology applications and build the capacity of beneficiary member countries. Four projects, including solarization of the parliament building of the Republic of Malawi, solarization of health care centers in Fiji, installation of solar-powered cold storage in Seychelles, and solarization of a school in Kiribati, were inaugurated, it added. Singh dedicated these projects to the respective countries, highlighting ISA`s commitment to advancing the cause of energy transition through solar energy. The Assembly serves as the apex decision-making body of ISA and meets annually to assess the progress of solar energy deployment and discuss key initiatives related to energy access, energy security, and energy transition. The Sixth Assembly of the International Solar Alliance demonstrated the commitment of member countries to harnessing solar energy to address global energy and environmental challenges, the release also said.