“In Whose Hands is Bangladesh?”

Opinion

Bangladesh’s current interim government is an unusual one. The constitutional crisis might be resolved using the Doctrine of Necessity or the Doctrine of Factum Valet. However, beyond this, major crises will remain unresolved—perhaps forever.

Bangladesh’s constitution clearly states that to hold state responsibilities—such as being a minister or member of parliament—one must be a citizen of Bangladesh. If someone holds dual citizenship, they must renounce their foreign citizenship. In the 12th National Parliamentary Elections, Awami League leader Dr. Shammi Ahmed received party nomination but her candidacy was canceled because she did not renounce her foreign citizenship in time. Before this, questions arose regarding Dr. Abdus Sobhan Golap’s foreign citizenship status—whether he renounced it or concealed it—during his participation in the national parliamentary elections. Recently, when evidence surfaced questioning the appointment of a foreign national, Dr. Aminul Islam, as an advisor to the Dhaka North City Corporation administrator, he was forced to resign.

These issues have long been debated in Bangladesh. According to the constitution, foreign or dual citizens cannot hold positions requiring an oath of office. However, positions that do not require an oath may still be filled by foreign or dual citizens—though ethical questions remain. It is in this context that I write today.

2.

The head of the interim government, Chief Advisor Professor Dr. Muhammad Yunus, is a dual citizen of Bangladesh and the United States. While traveling globally, he used a U.S. passport. After becoming Chief Advisor, he obtained a Bangladeshi red passport (D00017703). Normally, when applying for a new passport, one must provide the old passport number, but this rule was not followed in his case. Though his old passport had expired long ago, he did not renew it. Given the frequency of his international travel, he should have renewed his passport annually, as immigration stamps fill up passport pages quickly. Yet, he has not renewed his passport for many years. If he had mentioned an old passport number now, questions would arise—how did he travel so frequently with such an old passport? This would expose his U.S. citizenship. Therefore, when obtaining the red passport after becoming Chief Advisor, he did not mention any old passport number. In reality, he is a dual citizen.

His daughter, Ms. Dina Afroz Yunus, is also a foreign citizen. She is not a dual citizen but solely a U.S. national.

Advisor Dr. Asif Nazrul’s citizenship status is uncertain, but his wife, Sheela Ahmed, is a U.S. citizen by birth. She was born in the U.S. while renowned writer Humayun Ahmed was pursuing his Ph.D. there. As a spouse, Asif Nazrul could easily obtain U.S. citizenship, and it is highly likely that he holds dual citizenship.

Advisor Syeda Rizwana Hasan, daughter of the infamous anti-independence figure Syed Muhibul Hasan from Habiganj, is a prominent environmental lawyer and holds dual citizenship in Bangladesh and the UK.

Advisor Sheikh Bashiruddin—like most big businessmen—likely holds a foreign passport. While I cannot confirm which country’s passport he carries, it is certain that he holds one.

3.

Lutfey Siddiqui, the Chief Advisor’s Special Envoy for International Affairs, has been appointed as a Special Assistant with the rank of an advisor. His father, A.Y.B. Siddiqui (Abu Yahya Burhan Siddiqui), was Bangladesh’s IGP, a secretary in various ministries, and an ambassador. His uncle, Engineer L.K. Siddiqui (Abul Hasnat Lutful Kabir Siddiqui), was a minister and deputy speaker under BNP governments. Lutfey Siddiqui is a citizen of both Switzerland and Bangladesh.

Dr. Khalilur Rahman, Bangladesh’s National Security Advisor and High Representative for Rohingya Affairs, is a career diplomat who settled in the U.S. after retirement and obtained U.S. citizenship—making him a dual citizen. He was first appointed High Representative for Rohingya Affairs with the rank of an advisor and later became the National Security Advisor.

Dr. Anisuzzaman Chowdhury, a Special Assistant to the Chief Advisor with the rank of State Minister, is an economist assigned to the Finance Ministry. He is an Australian citizen.

Mohammad Sufiur Rahman, a career diplomat and engineer, retired from government service and was recently appointed as a Special Assistant to the Chief Advisor with the rank of State Minister, assigned to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. He is a citizen of both Bangladesh and Switzerland.

Sheikh Moinuddin, appointed as a Special Assistant to the Chief Advisor with the rank of State Minister for the Road Transport and Bridges Ministry, previously served as the Chief of Safety and Operations for California’s Transportation Department. Engineer Sheikh Moinuddin has long been a U.S. expatriate and is a U.S. citizen.

Fayez Ahmed Taiyab, a Special Assistant to the Chief Advisor with the rank of State Minister, has been assigned to the Ministry of Posts, Telecommunications, and ICT. He is a dual citizen of Bangladesh and the Netherlands.

Ashik Chowdhury (Chowdhury Ashik Mahmud Bin Harun), Chairman of the Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA) with the rank of State Minister, is a banker and business administration expert who has worked in several foreign banks and financial institutions. He is a dual citizen of Bangladesh and the UK.

4.

Dr. Ali Riaz, head of the Constitutional Reform Commission, is a Distinguished Professor of South Asian Studies at Illinois State University, USA. After living abroad for nearly three decades in London and the U.S., he settled in America and obtained U.S. citizenship.

Dr. Badiul Alam Majumdar, head of the Election System Reform Commission, was the Bangladesh Director and Global Co-President of the American organization The Hunger Project. He leads the NGO “Citizens for Good Governance” (Sujan). He is a citizen of both Bangladesh and the U.S.

Kamal Ahmed, head of the Media Reform Commission, was once a journalist for BBC Bengali in London. After retirement, he settled in London and obtained British citizenship.

Dr. Mustafizur Rahman Khan, member of the Anti-Corruption Reform Commission, is a British-Bangladeshi economist and professor at the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS), University of London. He is a British citizen.

Lamia Morshed, Principal Coordinator for SDGs with the rank of Senior Secretary, is the daughter of late Foreign Secretary and Ambassador Ali Kaysar Hasan Morshed. Since the 1990s, she has worked at Grameen Bank and is known as one of Dr. Yunus’ closest associates—often called the “shadow Chief Advisor.” Before joining Grameen Bank, she lived in Canada. Her husband and children still reside there. Since August 5, her husband, Saeed Kabir, has been staying in Bangladesh. The entire family holds Canadian citizenship, making them dual citizens.

Monir Haider, the Chief Advisor’s Special Assistant for Consensus Building, has been given the rank of Senior Secretary. He has lived in the U.S. for nearly a decade under political/refugee asylum. Known as a journalist, Monir Haider is a U.S. citizen. To my knowledge, political asylum requires renouncing previous citizenship, passports, and national IDs—so Monir Haider is now solely a U.S. citizen.

M. Mushfiqul Fazal Ansari, Bangladesh’s Ambassador to Mexico with the rank of Senior Secretary, has lived in the U.S. under political asylum for over a decade. Journalist M. Mushfiqul Fazal Ansari is a U.S. citizen. Like Monir Haider, he is solely a U.S. national.

Shajib M. Khairul Islam, the Chief Advisor’s Private Secretary (PS), has been appointed on contract with the rank of Joint Secretary. He is the founder and Managing Director of YY Ventures and is known as a disciple of Dr. Yunus. Shajib M. Khairul Islam is a dual citizen of the U.S. and Bangladesh.

Final Words

A popular dialogue from the movie Black Money, released on the Bongo OTT platform, features the villain asking: “Is the loot domestic or foreign?” Before introducing the key figures of the current government, will people now ask: “Are the rulers domestic or foreign?”

How can a foreign national, who has lived abroad for decades, be appointed as an envoy or ambassador for Bangladesh?

To obtain U.S. citizenship, one must swear an oath stating that if the U.S. goes to war, they must fight for the country (the U.S.) if required. This means individuals like Ali Riaz, who are U.S. citizens, will always prioritize the U.S. and are bound to do so.

These individuals, devoid of patriotism, will never wish for Bangladesh’s welfare. That is why Dr. Muhammad Yunus did not hesitate for a moment to hand over Bangladesh’s land to the Arakan Army, disregarding the interests of 180 million people.

The most sensitive and crucial decision-making positions have been handed over to foreign nationals. As a result, there is no doubt that Bangladesh is becoming a puppet in the hands of imperialists—gradually turning into a client state.

-Sabbir Khan