Says Stephane Dujarric: Dr Yunus a valued partner of UN
Staff Reporter :
The United Nations has stated that Nobel laureate Professor Muhammad Yunus is a valued partner of them and affirmed its keen awareness of the recent events concerning him in Bangladesh.
“Dr Yunus has been very much a valued partner of the United Nations through the years. We are very concerned about the reports that we have seen coming out of Bangladesh on issues related to him,” Stephane Dujarric, a Spokesman for the Secretary-General said during a press briefing at the UN on Thursday.
He came up with the statement when a journalist asked him whether the Secretary General was aware of allegation of Dr Yunus who alleged that
Bangladesh regime people seized all of his Grameen offices and the government filed new charges against him. In reply he said, “We are very much aware.”
Recalling the contribution of Dr Yunus for the UN, the spokesperson said, “He’s been an advocate for us both in official and unofficial capacity and supporting a number of initiatives surrounding the Millennium Development Goals, the Sustainable Development Goals, and our development work in general.”
Regarding any issue of Dr Yunus, pioneer of micro-credit, the UN has been voicing its concerns and even urged the government of Bangladesh not to harass him.
In a press conference in his office on Thursday, Dr Yunus alleged that some people have locked his office and he is not getting cooperation from the government and the police administration.
“If someone else were to put locks on their own homes, how would you feel? What’s the use of having laws and courts in the country if they do not seek justice? They do not want to go to court,” he expressed his discontent during the press conference.
Meanwhile, Law Minister Anisul Huq on Friday said that the government has not interfered in the case against Dr Yunus.
As soon as the minister reached the Akhaura Railway junction by a train from Kamalapur Railway Station, the journalists asked him about the allegation of Dr Yunus.
“About Dr Yunus, I can clearly say that, first of all, the National Board of Revenue has lodged a case against him.
The independent Anti Corruption Commission has filed a case against him. The government has no hand in these affairs,” he said.
Earlier on 13 February, the US State Department also voices concerns concerning the seize of Prof Yunus’ offices.
State Department Spokesperson Mathew Miller said, “Multiple criminal cases filed against Dr. Muhammad Yunus. We note that the labour case was tried with unusual speed.
The anti-corruption commission has approved a charge sheet for additional cases. Those have drawn widespread condemnation from around the world.”
He further said that they shared the concerns voiced by other international observers that these cases may represent a misuse of Bangladesh’s labour laws to harass and intimidate Dr. Yunus.
“We worry the perceived misuse of labour and anti-corruption laws could raise questions about the rule of law and dissuade future foreign direct investment,” he said.
He also said that the US government encouraged the Bangladeshi Government to ensure a fair and transparent legal process for Dr. Yunus as the appeals process continues.
