New York is bracing for heightened political tensions as the BNP and the Awami League announce opposing rallies coinciding with the arrival of Bangladesh’s interim Chief Adviser Dr Muhammad Yunus, who is attending the United Nations General Assembly.
The BNP plans to welcome Dr Yunus, while the Awami League is organising protests against him, according to a report by Bangladesh Pratidin.
It has been reported that Dr Yunus is departing for New York a day earlier than scheduled due to a confirmed meeting with US President Joe Biden during the UN General Assembly.
This marks Dr Yunus’s first overseas trip since assuming the role of chief adviser.
He is set to deliver his address at the 79th UN General Assembly on 27 September, after which he will return to Dhaka the same evening.
In preparation for their respective programmes, both the BNP and the Awami League have held several meetings.
According to BNP officials, for the first time in 16 years, the party, traditionally in opposition to the government, will formally welcome the Chief Adviser Dr Yunus.
BNP also plans to demand justice for the murders, disappearances, torture, and widespread corruption allegedly perpetrated during the Awami League’s tenure.
Zakir H Chowdhury, former Joint Secretary of BNP's US branch, said that the party would formally welcome Dr Yunus and simultaneously stage demonstrations in front of the UN headquarters, demanding accountability for the atrocities committed during Sheikh Hasina’s rule.
US Jubo Dal leader Masud Rana said that preparations for welcoming Dr Yunus are underway, with a planning meeting set for 22 September at Jackson Heights’ Kabab King.
Rana also warned that any attempts by the Awami League to disrupt the BNP’s programme would be resisted.
Apart from attending the General Assembly, Dr Yunus is scheduled to meet with various UN agency heads. Among them are UN Secretary-General António Guterres, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk, World Bank President Ajay Banga, Chief Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court Karim Khan, USAID Director Samantha Power, UN High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi, and International Labour Organisation Director-General Gilbert F Houngbo. Dr Yunus will also meet several world leaders, including Nepalese Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli, Bahraini Crown Prince Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, Dutch Prime Minister Dijk Schaf, Maldivian President Mohamed Muizz, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.
