KATHMANDU, June 1: UNESCO, in collaboration with the National Human Rights Commission, Nepal, and the Federation of Nepali Journalists organized a two-day regional consultation to assess the safety of journalists in South Asia on May 31 and June 1, 2022, in Kathmandu.
The event was a part of a global series of consultations by UNESCO to mark the 10th anniversary of the United Nations Plan of Action on Safety of Journalists and the Issue of Impunity (UNPA).
The consultation included journalists, media experts, media rights activists, human rights defenders, and government officials from Bhutan, Sri Lanka, Nepal, India, the Maldives, Bangladesh, Pakistan, and Afghanistan.
“The UN Plan of Action has achieved a number of milestones over the last decade, but clearly more still needs to be done. This regional consultation provides an opportunity for all of us to strategize our collective future action in order to implement it more effectively over the next decade. We will need to build upon the success stories and the lessons learned as well as explore new and better ways of implementing the Plan in the region,” said Michael Croft, UNESCO Representative to Nepal.
The two-day event aimed at assessing the progress the South Asia region has made in adopting the UNPA and strategizing how it could be implemented more effectively, building upon the success stories and the lessons learned from the region.
“Journalists have played important roles in informing citizens and also making public officials accountable during difficult times such as the devastating earthquake of 2015 in Nepal and during the COVID-19 pandemic. These are some reasons why all democratic states must work to ensure a safe and enabling environment for journalists to do their work. This is possible when those who attack media and journalists are brought to justice,” said Gyanendra Bahadur Karki, Minister for Communication and Information Technology, Nepal.
Talking about the progress Nepal has made in implementing the UNPA, the minister added that a safety mechanism has been formed for the journalists within the Nepal National Human Rights Commission.
“The Commission has prepared the guideline for the protection of the freedom of expression. Based on the guideline, a journalists’ safety mechanism has been formed,” said Top Bahadur Magar, Chairperson of the National Human Rights Commission.
When operational, the mechanism, led by the member of the Commission will have a rapid response team to take the action on threats.
“We can only act as a pressure group. But the actionable measures can only be achieved in coordination with the commission for the human rights and agencies such as UNESCO. Dialogues, such as these, are important steps in that direction,” said Bipul Pokharel, Chairperson of the Federation of Nepali Journalists in Nepal.
Sangita Khadka, Chairperson of the Minimum Wage Fixation Committee highlighted the issues of professional safety of the journalists in terms of media sustainability.
The first day of the event focused on the human rights aspect of journalists’ safety and included presentations from Bangladesh, Bhutan, Nepal, India, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka assessing the status of UNPA implementation in the respective countries. A session hosted by International Media Support (IMS) discussed best practices and lessons from the regional countries.
Three focused group discussions were organized on day two of the event. The groups discussed journalists’ safety under three thematic areas:
-Constitutional and legal environment
- Journalists are at the forefront of the news, and
-The digital battle.
A photo exhibition portraying journalists in action was also displayed on the sidelines of the event by The Federation of Nepali Journalists.
The outcomes of the regional consultation will inform a ministerial conference in Vienna, Austria, this November convened by the Austrian Minister of Foreign Affairs, in collaboration with UNESCO and the Office of the High Commissioner on Human Rights (OHCHR), back-to-back with the International Day to End Impunity on 2 November.
The United Nations Plan of Action on the Safety of Journalists and the Issue of Impunity (UNPA) was adopted in 2012 to create a free and safe environment for journalists and media workers everywhere. The Plan of Action advocates, among other things, for the establishment of mechanisms to assist in the formulation and implementation of national legislation that enhances the safety of journalists, freedom of expression, and access to information, in compliance with international rules and principles.
According to the World Bank’s latest report, Bangladesh (South Asian country) has a strong track record of development and prosperity. Over the last decade, it has been one of the world's fastest growing economies, owing to a demographic dividend, robust ready-made garment (RMG) exports, remittances, and stable macroeconomic conditions. Even after the COVID-19 pandemic, the country has experienced a rapid economic recovery.
Bangladesh tells the world a remarkable story of poverty reduction and development. From being one of the poorest nations at birth in 1971, Bangladesh reached lower-middle income status in 2015. It is on track to graduate from the UN’s Least Developed Countries (LDC) list in 2026. Poverty declined from 43.5 percent in 1991 to 14.3 percent in 2016, based on the international poverty line of $1.90 a day (using 2011 Purchasing Power Parity exchange rate). Moreover, human development outcomes improved along many dimensions.
On the other hand, the South Asian Island nation of Sri Lanka is currently going through an extreme economic crisis. Foreign exchange reserves have fallen so low that school examinations have been closed indefinitely due to a lack of imported paper. In addition to cooking gas, there has been a shortage of kerosene or petrol. Blackout has started due to a lack of electricity.
The situation is so dire that due to inflation, high unemployment, and shortages of almost all necessities, many Sri Lankans are fleeing their country in the hope of a better life abroad. Countless Sri Lankans are now being forced to do something other than their main occupation as not everyone can afford to leave the country. The suffering of the people of that country is coming up in the world media.
The country has never been in such a bad situation since independence in 1947. To cope with the situation, the Sri Lankan government has asked for a new loan of 1.5 billion US dollars from neighboring India. When Sri Lanka faced problems, Bangladesh provided 250 million in currency assistance for the first time. This was the first loan from Bangladesh for any country. They again asked for a loan from Bangladesh. Besides, they have been repaying loans of different countries through the exchange of goods.
Sri Lanka was quite capable of human resources and internal prosperity. Then why is there a crisis today? In this regard, economic analysts have brought forward various factors, from which different countries can learn lessons in their current and future plans.
Sri Lanka has undertaken several mega projects in their country for more than a century. These include seaports, airports, roads, and other projects that are currently considered unnecessary and redundant. Different governments of Sri Lanka have taken loans from different sources at home and abroad. As a result, their foreign exchange reserves gradually ran out. According to the country's economists, there has been little foreign direct investment in Sri Lanka in the last 15 years. Instead of foreign investment, various governments have focused on borrowing.
The country's government has issued sovereign bonds since 2007 to raise money. This type of sovereign bond is sold when the expenditure is more than the income of a country. Such bonds are sold in the international capital market to raise money. That is what Sri Lanka has done. But the country did not give much thought to how the money would be paid. At present, Sri Lanka has a debt of 12.5 billion for that bond alone. Besides, the government has also borrowed from domestic sources.
The once self-sufficient country is also in dire straits due to tax cuts, reduced income from tourism remittances, and unplanned decisions in agriculture. Different countries including Bangladesh have to learn from this situation. The world economic situation has begun to change rapidly since the Russia-Ukraine war, at which time any country could fall into a new crisis.
On the other hand, the economy of these 220 million countries (Pakistan) is in political and economic turmoil. Pakistan is in debt, amounting to 130 billion USD. At the same time, inflation seems to have picked up speed (12 percent). Over the past three years, Pakistan's progress has stalled.
The recent political instability has created a crisis in Pakistan. The recent political unrest has shaken the business and industrial sectors. The country's economy is already fragile due to the depreciation of the rupee, declining reserves, rising commodity prices, and revenue shortfalls.
Not only has the currency depreciated, but the wheel of Pakistan's economy has slowed down over the past three years. The recent political unrest has shaken the business and industrial sectors. The instability in Pakistan's politics is showing no signs of abating anytime soon. The Pakistani rupee is depreciating. The rupee depreciated against the dollar on Thursday, hitting a new record. 188 Pakistani rupees are available for one dollar. Never in the history of Pakistan has the rupee depreciated so much.
During the outgoing Prime Minister Imran Khan’s tenure, there has been an increase in the amount of debt, ranging from inflation, to a record fall in the value of the Pakistani currency, with the finance minister changing three times.
On the other hand, Bangladesh is currently a wonder of development. The implementation of big projects is now just a matter of time. City facilities have also been ensured in the villages. Visible flyovers on most of the roads in the capital. Metrorail will be launched in a few days. The long Padma bridge is not a dream now, it is real. Economists speculate that the GDP growth rate could rise to one percent for the bridge. This bridge has given new hope to the people of the south. The implementation of such a project with the government's own funding was at one time unimaginable. The country is moving forward with a sound plan.
The present government in Bangladesh has shown great prudence and foresight in the progress of Bangladesh. 100 economic zones are being formed. Investment is coming from different countries. Foreign exchange reserves are adequate (45 billion USD, January 2022), and remittances are satisfactory. It can be said that every economic foundation of Bangladesh is still in a strong position.
During the Sri Lankan corona, the tourism industry was almost destroyed by giving more importance to the health sector. Unnecessary development projects were carried out with loans, the organic agriculture sector has come to a standstill and the tax on public welfare has been greatly reduced but the economy of Bangladesh was active during the pandemic. Emphasis was laid on revenue collection and the agricultural sector of Bangladesh was strong.
Experts believe that Bangladesh is in a positive position in terms of foreign exchange reserves, remittances, and export earnings.
Bangladesh's foreign exchange reserves now stand at more than 45 billion, despite rising import costs. With which the country can pay imports of goods for six months. Sri Lanka, on the other hand, has less than two billion dollars. It is not possible to meet the cost of one week's import.
On the other hand, Bangladesh's growth rate was way above Pakistan, even before the pandemic in 2018-19, it was 7.8% compared to Pakistan's 5.8%. Various international organizations, including the World Bank, the World Economic Forum, and the Economic Intelligence Unit, have identified Bangladesh’s economic development as a “wonderful puzzle.” While the current economy of Bangladesh is 410 billion, the size of Pakistan’s economy is about 260 billion.
Bangladesh has improved its quality of life, economic strength, prosperity, education, and research in every field. Due to the global coronavirus pandemic, Bangladesh’s growth has slowed down. But where the growth of all the developed countries of the world was negative in these years, the achievement of Bangladesh was also noticeable.
Successful statesman Sheik Hasina has achieved full potential to move from a least developed country to a developing country. It has been possible because of people’s hard-work and strong leadership along with political stability, high flow of FDI, empowerment of women, unique poverty alleviation model, inclusivity of economy, etc.
‘Bangladesh’ tells a ‘miracle story’ while Sri Lanka and Pakistan share disaster tales.
KATHMANDU, Jan 5: Visiting Secretary-General of the Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) Tenzin Lekphell paid a courtesy call on Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba.
In the meeting held at the official residence of Prime Minister at Baluwatar today, the two discussed on further consolidating of the BIMSTEC process, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Lekphell is currently on his four-day introductory visit to Nepal. On the occasion, PM Deuba said that Nepal will have a creative and meaningful participation in the regional forum like BIMSTEC and pledged Nepal's full commitment and constructive support for the BIMSTEC procedures to make further advances.
Deuba also expressed his confidence that BIMSTEC would achieve a milestone in realizing the aspiration of the regional cooperation and to further strengthening the BIMSTEC's achievements. Commending Nepal for its contribution to the BIMSTEC, the Secretary-General said the Fourth BIMSTEC Summit held in Kathmandu was a milestone for the promotion, well-management and institutional development of the areas of mutual cooperation.
He also applauded the Nepal's commitments towards the regional economic bloc. Sri Lanka has proposed to host the BIMSTEC Fifth Summit which is already delayed by two years due to COVID-19 crisis.
However, member nations in the BIMSTEC are yet to endorse the proposal. BIMSTEC is a regional organisation comprising seven members Bangladesh, India, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Bhutan, Myanmar and Nepal while the first four nations are its founding members. It came into being on June 6, 1997.
KATHMANDU: Song Tao, minister of the International Department of the CPC Central Committee stressed the need for mutual cooperation among the leftist forces in South Asia.
Addressing a virtual session on a thematic briefing on the Sixth Plenary Session of the 19th Central Committee of the Chinese Communist Party (CPC) on Monday afternoon, Tao said that the leftist focus should focus of South Asia should focus on the development of the society to strengthen themselves. He was of the view that the communist parties need to support each other and also lay their emphasis on strong and scientific leadership.
Speaking further, Tao said that communist parties can introduce new principles. At the same time, he claimed that socialism with Chinese characteristics can make people under the leadership of President Xi Jinping. “The principles should accommodate the reality of a country and society,” he said, adding that it may also be included by other country’s successful models.
On the occasion, he shared that the CPC would begin its preparation to achieve the goals for the second centenary of the party. The party marked the first centenary on July 1, 2021, to mark the 100th anniversary of its establishment.
Tao shared that rapid economic growth and stability are two major goals of the party.
Claiming that the CPC has a bright and extended future, he added that the party has committed some mistakes as well. “We can, however, correct those mistakes in the days to follow.”
Tao urged the communist forces for mutual learning and sharing of principles, conservation of ecology and promotion of equality and social justice.
He also took time to share that China provided COVID-19 aids to 150 countries and donated as many as 1.7 billion COVID-19 vaccines across the world.
The program was virtually attended by the leaders of political parties of Nepal, Bangladesh, India and Sri Lanka.
The leaders of Nepal’s CPN (Maoist Center), CPN (Unified Socialist), CPN led by Netra Bikram Chand CPN-ML and Nepal Workers and Peasants Party along with former prime ministers trio Pushpa Kamal Dahal Prachanda, Jhala Nath Khanal and Madhav Kumar Nepal also joined the session.
Speaker of Sri Lanka, Nepal’s Vice President Nanda Bahadur Pun, Sri Lankan Education Minister, General Secretary of Bangladesh Communist Party, Sita Ram Yechuri of Communist Party of India (Marxist) delivered their speeches congratulating on the completion of the Sixth Plenum of 19th CPC Central Committee and wishing for further success.
Singapore on Saturday eased travel restrictions caused due to the COVID-19 pandemic and resumed entry of travellers from Bangladesh, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka to visit the nation.
KATHMANDU, Aug 3: Nepal welcomed around 3,000 international tourists last month.
According to the Department of Immigration, 2,991 tourists arrived in Nepal in July, 2021 via Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA). Of them, 1,940 are males, 1050 are females and one is other.
With the relaxation of the COVID-19 lockdown measures by the government of late, the number of people entering the country from outside has been gradually increasing. In June, this number was 1,143.
During the same period, 3,157 people departed from TIA.
In the past one month, people from 99 countries across the world had arrived in Nepal and the highest number of them was from India as their number was 1,105 followed by 819 from the US, 185 from the UK, and 165 from Turkey.
People from other South Asian countries: Bangladesh (four), Bhutan (14), Pakistan (five) and Sri Lanka (three) had arrived in Nepal.
Likewise, 78 Canadians, 50 Chinese, 45 Belgians, 41 French, 26 Dutch, and 19 Russian were welcomed in the country last month.
The Department says in July, 25,205 Nepali citizens (21,509 males, 3,693 females and three others) returned home. The total number of people including foreigners landing at TIA during the period is 28,196 while the total number of people leaving the country is 25,034 against 13,256 of the previous month.
