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Created: 21 July 2024

Central Alberta, July 21, 2024 — Members of Red Deer's Bangladeshi community braved the scorching heat to form a human chain along the city's busiest thoroughfare, commemorating those killed in the quota reform movement in Bangladesh. The demonstrators urgently called for a credible investigation and international intervention to address the worsening human rights situation in their homeland.

The community expressed profound sorrow and alarm over the recent violent crackdown on peaceful protesters demanding quota reforms in government jobs. Reports indicate that more than 100 students have tragically lost their lives at the hands of law enforcement agencies and government-aligned groups. The Bangladesh government's decision to cut off internet connections has exacerbated the situation, further isolating those in danger.

"As Bangladeshis living in Canada, we uphold the values of justice, equality, and democratic expression," said Mushfiqul Arifin, the group's spokesperson. We stand in solidarity with the students and citizens of Bangladesh who are peacefully demanding fair treatment and reform of the quota system." The community urged the Canadian government to take immediate action, including summoning the Bangladeshi ambassador to express Canada's deep concern over the escalating violence and loss of life and to support democratic values and the rights of peaceful protesters strongly.

The petition, handed over to Delwar Jahid, founding president of the Bangladesh Foundation of Human Rights and president of the Bangladesh North American Journalists Association, was signed by key community members, including Ashraf Alam, Mushfiqul Arifin, and agriculturist Moazzem Hossain. It calls on Bangladeshi authorities to respect human rights, ensure citizen safety, and restore internet connectivity to facilitate communication and access to information.

Canada has a longstanding commitment to human rights and democratic principles worldwide. The Bangladeshi community of Red Deer stands in solidarity with the people of Bangladesh during this critical time and urges Canadian officials to use their influence to uphold these values. Participants like Sarkar Arefin, Sanjida Karim, Kakali Akhtar, Hira Mia, Jannat, M. Islam, Karim, Moazzem Hossain, Mohammad Alam, Abrar Alam, Mehdi Hasan, Mohammad Tarek, and Robin Tana carried placards with various slogans.

In his brief address to the protesters, Delwar Jahid highlighted the recent ruling by the Appellate Division of the Bangladesh Supreme Court, which annulled the High Court's verdict on the quota system, mandating that 93% of recruitment be based on merit. However, he lamented the loss of over a hundred lives in the interim, calling it shocking and heartbreaking. Zahid emphasized the need for accountability, justice for those responsible, and removing all obstacles to freedom of expression and the free flow of information.

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Created: 02 July 2024

Protecting Bangladesh's Future: Prioritizing Child Welfare to Eliminate Labor Exploitation

In a concerted effort to shield Bangladesh's children from the hardships of manual labor and secure their future, the government is urged to prioritize critical 

initiatives. These include bolstering social security provisions, promoting alternative economic opportunities, ensuring universal access to education and 

healthcare, and facilitating micro-financing options for former child laborers. These efforts draw inspiration from the enduring legacy of Bangabandhu 

Sheikh Mujibur Rahman reflects Bangladesh's unwavering commitment to justice, equality, and compassion, ensuring every child's chance to thrive in a 

labor-free environment. 

Delwar Jahid, President of Bangabandhu Research and Development Institute and the Bangladesh Freedom Fighters Command Council Canada Unit and a senior faculty member conveyed these sentiments during his inaugural address at a recent virtual seminar organized jointly by the Bangabandhu Research and Development Institute (BRDI) and Step to Humanity Bangladesh in Central Alberta on June 29, 2024.

Keynote speaker Nasima Akhter, former director of the Bangladesh Rural Development Academy and an expert in women's and children's sociology, emphasized the urgent need to redefine childhood in the context of Bangladesh. She highlighted critical issues such as malnutrition and reproductive health affecting young girls while also stressing the importance of addressing family conflicts that disrupt children's lives.

The seminar featured notable figures such as Dr. Anwar Zahid, former registrar of Comilla Britannia University and ex-director of the Bangladesh Rural. 

Development Academy; Dr. Kamrul Hasan, son of the martyred intellectual Sadiq and former academy director; Dr. Ashraful Arif, Assistant Professor at Exim 

Bank Agricultural University Bangladesh; Khairul Ahsan Manik, Vice President of Step to Humanity Bangladesh and Senior Journalist at UNB; Shirin Ferdosi, 

Senior Teacher; Kora Hasan Ivana, Child Officer; Shamsul Habib, Journalist; and Moshiur Rahman, Vice President of the Bangabandhu Research and Development Institute, present Syfur Hasan, ehtesham Iqbal, and Ashrar Jahid.

Dr. Anwar Zahid provided insights into Bangladesh's National Child Policy of 1994, the National Action Plan of 2005, and the UN Convention on the Rights of 

the Child, adopted in 2006. Dr. Kamrul Hasan explored the historical context of post-war Bangladesh, highlighting its ongoing struggles with child labor and 

its alignment with capitalist exploitation.

Speakers collectively underscored the economic dynamics influencing child labor, with poverty identified as a central root cause. The seminar served as a 

pivotal platform for robust dialogue on safeguarding Bangladesh's children from labor exploitation, reaffirming the nation's dedication to building an 

equitable and prosperous society in line with the principles of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.

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Created: 27 May 2024

Central Alberta, Canada - The Bangabandhu Research and Development Institute (BRDI) has been established in Central Alberta under the leadership of Delwar Jahid, a senior research faculty member and Executive of the Bangladesh Muktijoddha Sangsad Canada Unit Command. Zahid, a renowned freedom fighter, writer, journalist, and media personality, spearheads this initiative, which officially began on Sunday.

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