US rights group to help BD's democratic transition

President of US-based human rights group 'Right to Freedom' Ambassador William B Milam and Executive Director American diplomat Jon Danilowicz called on Chief Adviser (CA) Prof Muhammad Yunus at the State Guest House Jamuna in the capital on Thursday, report agencies.

They updated the CA about the work of the Right to Freedom and their plan to expand its activities in Bangladesh as part of its efforts to assist the country in its democratic transition.

Prof Yunus appreciated the work of the non-profit group and also the efforts by the two diplomats to support human rights and democratic values in Bangladesh.

Ambassador Milam, who served as US envoy in Bangladesh in the early 1990s, lauded the interim government's reform initiatives, saying the July uprising has offered big opportunities to carry out sweeping reforms and establishing a true democracy in Bangladesh.

Jon Danilowicz, also a former deputy ambassador of the US embassy in Dhaka, said Bangladesh needs positive narratives and serious efforts to tackle the menace of fake news and disinformation.During the hour-long meeting, Prof Yunus told the diplomats that political parties would sign a July Charter after the conclusion of the dialogue on the reforms recommended by the six commissions.

"The July Charter will guide us," he said, adding that the Interim Government would implement parts of the recommendations made in the July Charter and the rest will be implemented by next political governments.