An Awami League-linked organisation is preparing to host a gathering in New York on November 24, with ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina expected to address it virtually.
The organisers seek to associate and portray the event with the United Nations despite holding it at an independently operated venue outside the UN system.
The event, titled “Bangladesh: Democracy, Human Rights, Inclusive Political Participation and Rule of Law,” is being organised by the International Center for Democracy, Human Rights and Sustainability (ICDHRS) at the Church Center for the United Nations, 777 United Nations Plaza, New York.
Daily Waadaa has learned from multiple sources familiar with the preparations that Hasina is expected to join the programme virtually alongside other Awami League figures.
According to the sources, the organisers hope to portray the gathering as a UN-associated event to bolster the morale of Awami League supporters in Bangladesh.
The venue, however, is not part of the United Nations. Located across from UN headquarters, the Church Center is an independently operated facility that can be rented for conferences and civil society programmes.
Holding an event there does not constitute UN sponsorship or endorsement, Waadaa learned from the official sources.
Waadaa's examination of ICDHRS's leadership and activities found that the organisation, which describes itself as non-partisan, is chaired by a figure with documented Awami League connections.
The organisers have also approached former US Ambassador to Bangladesh Harry K. Thomas Jr to participate in the programme, alongside other international speakers.
Waadaa has seen correspondence in which Thomas raised concerns that his participation could be portrayed as an endorsement of Hasina.
An invitation circulated for the programme identifies Hasina as chief guest, participating virtually, and names Thomas and Michael Rubin, an American businessman and socialite among the proposed speakers.
In correspondence reviewed by Waadaa, Thomas indicated that he was preparing to join the panel but had become concerned after learning of Hasina's expected participation and suggestions that he was being presented as her political ally.
He emphasised that he would represent the American Academy of Diplomacy, a non-partisan organisation that does not take sides in domestic political disputes.
ICDHRS subsequently assured him that neither his participation nor the Academy's involvement would be presented as an endorsement of Hasina.
The organisation maintained that its objective was to promote democracy, human rights, inclusive political participation and the rule of law, regardless of political affiliation.
ICDHRS describes itself as a New York-based organisation working on democracy, human rights and environmental sustainability.
Its board is chaired by Dr Nuran Nabi, a scientist and author with longstanding associations with Awami League-aligned organisations in the United States.
According to his published biography, Nabi is a co-founder and president of Bangabandhu Parishad USA, an organisation promoting Sheikh Mujibur Rahman's political ideals and legacy.
He has organised programmes involving senior Awami League figures, including a Bangabandhu conference in Los Angeles in 2024.
Nabi was also among the proposed speakers at an August 29 seminar in New Delhi alongside Awami League information and research secretary Selim Mahmud. The programme was cancelled after Delhi Police declined permission.
ICDHRS identifies M. Zahangir Mozumder as its secretary general and a board member, describing him as an environmental sustainability expert.
Other directors include Dr. Masudul Hassan, a cardiologist; Shyamal Kumar Das, a professor of homeland security and sociology; Rabi U. Alam, a physician; and Sabbir M. Sayem, described as a human rights activist and social justice advocate.
Sources familiar with the organisation described its leadership as Awami League-dominated, although Waadaa could not independently establish party affiliations for every director.
ICDHRS's website lists previous activities, including a civil society gathering during the UN General Assembly week in September, a democracy and youth forum in October and a webinar on women's rights in South Asia in November.
The organisation presents these programmes as part of its efforts to promote democratic governance and international engagement. Waadaa could not independently verify the details of each event.
The choice of venue is crucial to the organisers' presentation of the November 24 gathering. The Church Center for the United Nations stands directly across from UN headquarters in Manhattan but operates independently of the world body.
Established through Methodist initiatives, the building provides meeting and office space for religious organisations, non-governmental groups and civil society representatives.
Information published by the United Methodist Church, United Women in Faith and the World Council of Churches confirms that its facilities are available for independently organised activities.
The United Nations has a separate system for approving meetings and conferences at its headquarters.
ICDHRS's website describes the November 24 programme as taking place at the United Nations, although the venue it identifies is the independently operated Church Center.
Its promotional materials also incorporate UN imagery. Neither the venue's name nor the use of UN-related imagery establishes any UN sponsorship or endorsement, an official from the UN who preferred to be unnamed told Waadaa.
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