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By Matthew Russell Lee, CJR Letter PFT Q&A

UNITED NATIONS GATE, January 4 – On Bangladesh, back in September 2018 Inner City Press asked the UN, did Mirza Fakhrul Islam and the BNP hiring lobbyists in order to meet with the UN of Secretary General Antonio Guterres, as Cameroon did back in July? Now Guterres and his spokespeople have in five of the last six days not answered a single one of Inner City Press' 40 questions, including about why he covered up his links to China Energy Fund Committee whose Patrick Ho has been convicted of UN bribery. On December 31, after Inner City Press banned from entering the UN by Guterres for 180 days and counting, asked in writing: "December 31-4: What is the SG's comment and action on the allegations of electoral fraud in Bangladesh, the lock up of opposition figures and jailing for as little as posting parody songs?" Guterres has gone forward with another Kafka-esque denial of Press access, here. Now a Bangladeshi journalist has been arrested and another is a fugitive after they reported on voting irregularities. Hedayet Hossain Mollah of the Dhaka Tribune newspaper was detained Tuesday evening under the digital security law after he reported that in one constituency 22,419 more ballots than the number of registered voters were cast.... Some voters were told not to enter the polling places, their votes have already been cast for them, after the government has shut the opposition's website and dozens of media, Inner City Press can report that in November 2017 even after the arrest of Patrick Ho the UN took CEFC's $1 million dollars and awarded it to Bangladesh firms. And while Guterres tried even then to conceal his links, his Deputy SG Amina J. Mohammed even after Ho's arrest for UN bribery had remarks delivered at the corrupt event, see here. Still there was silence from Guterres, back from murky publicly funded junket with a major conflict of interest. Now on January 4, the Human Rights Commissioner he picked, Michelle Bachelet, belatedly chimes in, below - but she has said nothing about Guterres roughing up and banning Inner City Press for 184 days and counting, allowing him to do it even from her own event in UN Headquarters. This type of go along to get along (and be able to use public money for personal travel) is killing the UN and we will not stop reporting on it. Here's Bachelet's office, belatedly, on Bangladesh: "There are troubling reports of media professionals being intimidated, injured and having their property damaged, as well as other constraints that have hindered free and public reporting on the elections.  At least two journalists have been arrested under the Digital Security Act in relation to their reporting on the election.  The blocking of at least 54 news and other websites since 10 December and temporary internet restrictions around election day have constrained freedom of expression." But Bachelet is remiss in not using her position to even try to ensure that within the UN system. On December 29, this new low: "Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) Legal and Media Wing Director Mufti Mahmud Khan said this at a press conference held at RAB’s media centre in Karwan Bazar on Saturday... RAB has already arrested 35 people for spreading rumours surrounding the election, he added. Mufti Mahmud Khan said the eight people were detained last night for spreading rumors. They created videos in the form of their own documentaries, and were also promoting parody songs and publishing them on various websites, Facebook pages and YouTube." Oh, parodies and songs on social media leading to reprisals? This is right down Guterres' alley. At noon on December 26, Inner City Press asked in writing Guterres' spokes-/ hatchment who had it roughed up and banned Stephane Dujarric: "December 26-2: On Bangladesh what is the SG's comment and action on the blocking of opposition and media websites in the run up to the Dec 30 “election”? Dujarric sent no answer or even acknowledgment of receipt for more than seven hours, including to questions about Guterres' own corruption. Then after midnight, this: "The Secretary-General in the run-up to the 30 December general elections in Bangladesh calls on all stakeholders to ensure an environment free of violence, intimidation and coercion before, during and after the elections, so as to enable a peaceful, credible and inclusive poll.
All Bangladeshi citizens, including minorities and women, must feel safe and confident in exercising their right to vote. Civil society and electoral observers should be fully supported to play their role in the process.
The Secretary-General reiterates the continued commitment of the United Nations to support a peaceful and democratic Bangladesh.Stéphane Dujarric, Spokesman for the Secretary-General, New York, 27 December 2018." What double talk.

In  September amid reports that Guterres, so often silent on conflicts in countries which can do him favors like Cameroon on the UN Budget Committee, had invited oppositionists to New York to meet him, Inner City Press on September 14 asked in writing: "has Mirza Fakhrul Islam been invited to NY to meet SG Guterres and if so, for what purpose, and when? This is a request to cover any such meeting." Guterres amid Inner City Press' questions about his inaction on Cameroon and his spending of public funds had Inner City Press roughed up on July 3 and banned from the UN since. While leaving 38 other questions unanswered, Guterres' Deputy Spokesman Farhan Haq on Bangladesh answered, "On your question on Bangladesh, we can say the following: Assistant Secretary-General Miroslav Jenca met with BNP Secretary-General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir today in New York at the request of BNP. DPA is routinely contacted to meet with various political actors in many countries, and this request was no exception. In view of upcoming elections in Bangladesh, we appeal to all sides to ensure a conducive environment for transparent, credible, inclusive and peaceful elections." We said we'd have more on this, and on September 18 before another noon briefing Inner City Press remained banned from by Guterres, Inner City Press asked Guterres' lead spokesman Stephane Dujarric, in writing, "September 18-5: On Bangladesh, and lobbying at the UN, what is the SG's rsponse to “Mirza Fakhrul started for London on Friday and met Tarique there before flying back home. The BNP reportedly had hired a US lobbyist firm for arranging the meetings, though the party claims Mirza Fakhrul travelled there at the invitation of UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres.” Did the SG know if Fakhrul or BNP hired a lobbyist to set up the meeting? Did the SG know about the Squires Patton Boggs contract by Cameroon before his July 11 meeting?" So far, as usual with Dujarric despite the claims of Guterres' Global Communicator Alison Smale, no answer. The UN under Guterres is turning into an opaque sinkhole of lobbying and censorship. Watch this site.  On the Rohingya, after a long delay Guterres in April named as the UN envoy to Myanmar Christine Schraner Burgener. As she issued a glowing read out of her first visit to the country, it was next door Bangladesh and not the UN which announces that Guterres and the World Bank's Jim Kim would visit there on July 1. On July 3 Guterres had Inner City Press ousted from the UN, and on July 5 entirely banned pending a review of the "incident" - his own Security officers' abuse of the Press. Fox News story here, GAP blogs I and II. On August 17, Guterres though his Global Communicator Alison Smale issued a lifetime ban on Inner City Press, putting the UN into the US Press Freedom Tracker. Now on August 28, with Inner City Press still having to cover this beat from the street in 91 degree heat, Guterres gave a speech to the UN Security Council. Outside, Inner City Press asked the Permanent Representative of Kuwait Mansour Al-Otaibi if he thought things have gotten better since the Council's trip. No, he said with candor. Inner City Press asked the Permanent Representative of Bangladesh Masud Bin Momen if his government is still going ahead with plans for an island for Rohinga. Yes, he said, but not this monsoon. "We have more lead time. Video here. Guterres was joined in speechifying to the Security Council on Myanmar by Tegegnework Gettu. Who is he? Well, since due to Guterres' outrageous censorship order we have time:

Inner City Press in 2014 reported on then-head of the UN Department of General Assembly and Conference Management  Tegegnework Gettu calling female critics "emotional," here, whistleblowers afraid of retaliation tell Inner City Press that Gettu has continued his "shenanigans" at UNDP. 

Here's the beginning of Christine Schraner Burgener's read-out: "United Nations Special Envoy of the Secretary-General on Myanmar Christine Schraner Burgener conducted her first official visit to Myanmar from 12 to 21 June.  In Nay Pyi Taw, Yangon and Rakhine state, she met among others with State Counsellor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, Commander-in-Chief Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, Speaker of Pyithu Hluttaw U T Khun Myat, Speaker of Amyotha Hluttaw U Mahn Win Khine Than, Minister in the State Counsellor’s Office U Kyaw Tint Swe, Chair of Pyidaungsu Hluttaw's Legal Affairs and Special Cases Assessment Commission  Thura Shwe Mann, Chairman of the Election Commission U Hla Thein, the Rakhine State Government including Chief Minister U Nyi Pu, conflict-affected communities and families in Rakhine state, the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), people currently displaced along the international border between Myanmar and Bangladesh, representatives of Myanmar’s civil society, members of women associations, as well as with the United Nations country team, the diplomatic community and international NGOs. In all meetings, she stressed the need for inclusive solutions that integrated the views and important voices of women. The Special Envoy expresses her sincere appreciation to the Government of Myanmar and other interlocutors for their warm welcome and excellent organization of her visit."  Inner City Press hears of large acreage of Rohinga's land to be given to corporations in Maungdaw. The Bangladesh Mission's website, hosted by the UN, has as its latest News items from 2015. Guterres will meet her later on May 22; he has recent banned the Press' live stream Periscope even from events in his conference room which his UNTV films. As to Christine Schraner Burgener, as Inner City Press noted on April 25, and asked Guterres' spokesman about on April 26, she was hauled in by the Germany foreign ministry to explain Swiss spying on German tax agents looking into murky tax evasion bank accounts in her native Switzerland, here.  Inner City Press, after publishing on April 25, on April 26 asked Guterres' spokesman Stephane Dujarric, UN transcript here: Inner City Press: there was a pretty widely reported case, while she was the Ambassador of Switzerland to Germany, in which she was brought in to answer questions about Swiss buying on a German investigation of… of tax evasion, essentially trying to block the leaked tax evader list.  And I wanted to know, is that something that the UN vetted in making the selection?  And what can you also say about the process of getting Myanmar to agree to this?  But, I wanted to ask about the vetting…

Spokesman:  She was, obviously, vetted, and she is now coming on board.  On your second question, the authorities in Myanmar were consulted, as others in the region were."The UN Security Council, venue last month of four failed draft resolutions on Syria  (and today, we predict a failed draft Press Statement on Gaza), was dis-invited from visiting Iraq. But even silenced the circus continued, with insider media. The Council visited in Myanmar - while Rohingyas who recently fled by boat to Indonesia are ostensibly being served by the UN International Organization for Migration (which might soon be headed by Ken Isaacs, see below). Council members met not only with Aung San Suu Kyi but also military leader Snr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing who said in a speech to military personnel and their families in northern Kachin State that the Rohingya “do not have any characteristics or culture in common with the ethnicities of Myanmar.” On May 14 Inner City Press asked UK Ambassador Karen Pierce for her understanding if Aung Hlaing admitted that the Army has committed rapes. Yes, she seemed to say, he gave examples of actions taken. Video here. From the UK transcript: Inner City Press: When you were there, was it your understanding that he denied any army rapes - what's your understanding of the military leaders' position on whether sexual abuse by the army has taken place? Amb Pierce: "He condemned sexual exploitation and abuse including that taken by the army and he gave us an illustrative couple of cases where the army authorities had taken action against individuals who had perpetrated that." Pierce also praised the media that accompanied the trip - which, if the past is any guide, the trip leaders hand-picked. Meanwhile DW and others reported he rejected rape claims. So which is it? Aung Hlaing on his Facebook page "reported" (here) that "Senior General Min Aung Hlaing meets with members of the UN Security Council Permanent Representatives, Naypyidaw, April 30 - Senior General Min Aung Hlaing Mr. Peru Gustavo Meza Cuadra Velasquez Permanent Representative to the UN Security Council members, led by this evening Bayintnaung Center meeting hall at the Presidential Palace in Naypyitaw to discuss it. The meeting with the Chief of Defense, Deputy Chief of Defense-Chief (Army) Vice-Senior General Soe Win, Coordination Officer (overseeing the Army, Navy, Air Force) Gen Mya Tun Oo and the Chief of Defense (Army) military officials and representatives of the United Nations Security Council member states, Myanmar and neighboring countries, representatives from the Mission to the UN Permanent General. During the meeting, Mr. Gustavo Meza Cuadra Velasquez led by members of the UN Security Council Permanent Representative in northern Rakhine State, Buthidaung, Maungdaw region for security purposes, On the other hand, will be able to accept back those who had left the country, UN agencies and cooperation issues, Friendly, to return to live issues The army in accordance with the law are being kept asking various issues. Senior General Min Aung Hlaing on the query to represent the Kingdom of the armed forces of the defense organization, About the only military discipline were strictly working, Military Act laws and international law, Only in accordance with the rules and those who violate discipline. And specific action carried out in accordance with the law, Radical Bengali Terrorist terrorist activities in northern Rakhine such conditions had been occurring, Bengalis in the departure of a neighboring country in accordance with bilateral agreements with Myanmar to accept your existence, Army instructions from the government, there should be a partnership in accordance with accused With regard to sexual violence in their country's culture, According to the religious assigned to the expected disgust serious action carried out, The Army and the crimes have been punished more severely, Does not like in the military with a history of sexual violence." So what is the Council doing? Have they, as some report, even agreed not to use the word Rohingya? UN staff accompanying the Security Council trip overlap who previously worked on the UN's failed (non) response to the slaughter of the Tamils in Sri Lanka in 2009. Plus ca change. In Bangladesh, Rohingya demands, on a sign in this video, include "Restore Citizenship, Ethnicity #rohingya, Rehabilitate Own Land, Compensate Loses, Allow International Media In Arakan." The Dhaka Daily Star reported, "The international media highlighted the exodus as one of the worst human rights crises, which needed to be resolved urgently to avoid instability in Bangladesh and Myanmar. The AP, Reuters, AFP, and The Gurdian, The New York Times, Washington Post, Deutsche Welle, US News, The Hill, The Peninsula Qatar, Inner City Press, Business Line, Bahrain News Agency, Asian Tribune, Eastern Mirror, The Arab Weekly, Times of Malta, aljazeera.com, Gulf Digital News, Firstpost, The Nation, Kuwait News Agency, PTI, and The Seattle Times among other media organisations have been releasing and publishing reports on the UNSC visit prominently. However, Indian and Chinese media have not been covering the visit as widely." They might have mentioned, for example, the lack of even the word Myanmar, or Burma, or Rohingya, in the interntional sections of Japanese media Sankei Shinbun, based in a country that aspires to a permanent UN Security Council seat. Meanwhile Mansour Al-Otaibi, the Ambassador of Kuwait, on whose plane the Security Council and accompaniers flew, in response was restrained, appropriate given the Council's recent record. He said, "“We are not promising we will do something very quick. But when we go back to New York this issue will be one of our priorities and we will do our utmost to find a solution to this humanitarian crisis." For some, it was hard not to recall the UN's and Security Council's inaction amid the slaughter of the Tamils in Sri Lanka in 2009.... Meanwhile "UN News," run by the UN's "Global Communicator" Alison Smale, ran a story quoting only the UN International Organization for Migration. This as controversial IOM candidate Ken Isaacs seeks to campaign in the UN but not in public, only in the private clubhouse. The Free UN Coalition for Access has asked, including the spokesman for the President of the UN General Assembly, that at least Isaacs appear for question in public. All this requires is for a member state to sponsor it, and it does not have to be Isaacs' member state. We'll have more on this.  The local press, unlike those chosen to accompany the trip, named who was there - all but two (the deputies of the US and Cote d'Ivoire) by name: "UN resident coordinator in Bangladesh Mia Seppo said after the arrival of the delegation on Saturday. ‘This is a historic visit.’ United Kingdom’s permanent representative to the UN in New York Karen Pierce,, China’s deputy permanent representative ambassador Wu Haitao, French deputy permanent representative Anne Gueguen, Russian Federation’s deputy permanent representative Sergey Kononuchenko, and a deputy permanent representative of the United States were representing respective country among five permanent members to the Security Council.
Permanent representatives Sacha Sergio Llorenty Soliz of Bolivia, Anatolio Ndong of Equatorial Guinea, Tekeda Alemu of Ethiopia, Kairat Umarov of Kazakhstan, Mansour Al-Otaibi of Kuwait, Karel Oosterom of Netherlands, Gustavo Meza-Cuadra of Peru, Joanna Wronecka of Poland, Olof Skoog of Sweden, and deputy permanent representative of Ivory Coast were representing respective country among 10 non-permanent members to the Security Council... The Chinese representative wanted to know, in the meetings, about the progress in bilateral efforts with Myanmar on repatriation, while the Russian diplomat was interested in the reactions of local Bangladeshi host community in dealing with the Rohingyas. The Ethiopian diplomat talked about the hatred among majority community in Myanmar against Rohingyas. Bangladesh officials said that the Myanmar military instigated and sponsored hate campaign against minority Rohingyas for several decades. The US diplomat was interested in the preparations for the monsoon season to avoid further disaster while the UK representative wanted to know how they could provide more help to Bangladesh to support the victims. " Earlier, an aid worker tweeted of delay at the airport due to the Kuwait plane, but expressed hope in the Council's visit. So do we all. There was local focus on the venues: Royal Tulip Hotel on Inani beach, Cox's Bazar, then Radisson Blu Dhaka Water Garden on Sunday evening. This is the UN.

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