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2006 News

10 December 2006

Dr. Phillip Lee has written an article about Bangladesh on his blog. You can read it by clicking on the link below:
Emissions Matter to Bangladesh

16 November 2006

Bangladesh under threat from Islamic extremists in 2007 general election

It must be a top EU priority to ensure free and fair elections next January in Bangladesh, a traditionally secular and democratic country of 140 million, says Conservative Foreign Affairs spokesman

Strasbourg, 16 November 2006 -- In a speech today in the European Parliament, Dr Charles Tannock MEP, warned that the secular state of Bangladesh is under threat from Islamic fundamentalism and that the UK and EU have a duty to keep up the pressure for reform and full respect for democracy, a free press and human rights for all of Bangladesh's citizens prior to the Parliamentary Elections scheduled to take place next January.

Dr Tannock said:

"These elections are crucial and it is essential the EU maintains a visible major presence throughout the caretaker government period as otherwise some frustrated power hungry general might try a military coup.

"For many years since its foundation in 1971 Bangladesh was the exception in the Islamic world as it pursued its independent course in a peaceful and democratic fashion. Regrettably since 2001 there has been increasing Islamization of Bangladesh as Islamists have attempted to fill the vacuum left by corrupt warring secular parties.

"The NGO Taskforce against Torture has documented over 500 cases of torture and intimidation by radical Islamists, who have also murdered supporters of the Communist Party. Indeed, Hindus, Christians, Chittagong Hill Tracts tribal people and Buddhists have been targeted as well.

"The EU-Bangladesh Cooperation Agreement of 2000 is based on respect for democratic principles in Article 1 and its breach can lead to the Agreement's suspension and with it the significant EU General System of Tariff Preferences and the EU foreign aid which amounts to 17% of its total."

Press Release - Dr. Charles Tannock MEP

16 November 2006

Fair and free elections

Fair and free elections are an essential part of a democracy. For elections to be free there needs to be freedom of assembly, freedom of speech and expression, freedom from intimidation or coercion and freedom to register a vote in secret. For elections to be fair there needs to be an independent organisation to monitor the electoral process, universal suffrage, an open and transparent ballot counting process, and equal treatment of electors, candidates and parties by election officials and all arms of government.

The CFOB have been invited to send observers to Bangladesh to assist in free and fair elections there next January. We are both proud and pleased to have been asked to do this. Support for the secular democracy of Bangladesh is an important part of what CFOB is about.

Dr. Philip Lee, Bank of Researchers Coordinator, CFOB

15 November 2006

CFOB are pleased to announce that Michael Gove MP has joined the committee. A recent recipient of the ‘Rising Star’ Award at the Channel 4 Political Awards, Michael has brought a fresh intellect to the Conservative Party since being elected MP for Surrey Heath in 2005. He is a close confidant of David Cameron and presently serves as Shadow Minister for Housing.

Dr. Philip Lee, Bank of Researchers Coordinator, CFOB

28 October 2006

On behalf of the Conservative Friends of Bangladesh (CFOB) I would like to take this opportunity of offering our warmest congratulations to Dr. Muhammed Yunus who was awarded the 2006 Nobel Peace Prize, along with Grameen Bank. Dr. Yunus is the developer and founder of the concept of micro credit, the extension of small loans to entrepreneurs too poor to qualify for traditional bank loans. Dr. Yunus is the founder of Grameen Bank. In 2006 Dr. Yunus and Grameen Bank were jointly awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. Dr. Yunus has received several other international honours including the World Food Prize and the Sydney Peace Prize. He is also the author of Banker to the Poor and a founding board member of Grameen Foundation.

The announcement made by the committee read:

“The Norwegian Nobel Committee has decided to award the Nobel Peace Prize for 2006, divided into two equal parts, to Muhammad Yunus and Grameen Bank for their efforts to create economic and social development from below. Lasting peace cannot be achieved unless large population groups find ways in which to break out of poverty. Micro-credit is one such means. Development from below also serves to advance democracy and human rights.”

To say that the Bangladeshi community in the United Kingdom is proud of Dr. Yunus’ achievement is an understatement. The CFOB believes that this award will go some way in putting the identity of Bangladesh in a global context. Recently, the Investment Bank: Goldman Sachs, quoted that “Bangladesh is one of eleven countries most likely to emerge as an economic success in the next phase of development and, therefore, a most desirable investment option”. CFOB believes that the hard work being done by individuals such as Dr. Yunus, will greatly contribute towards Bangladesh being able to force its way out of devastating poverty that the country has been suffering and, hopefully one day, be able to set an example to other countries. The Conservative Party here in the United Kingdom is committed to supporting the work being done by Dr. Yunus and the Grameen Bank in Bangladesh.

Abdus Hamid, Membership Coordinator, CFOB

22 October 2006

CFoB has now been launched! After formal ratification by the Party Board on Monday 25 September the official launch of the Group took place at the Conference in Bournemouth. The Rt. Hon William Hague MP officially launched the group and speeches were made by: Anne Main MP; His Excellency Mr. Sabihuddin Ahmed, The High Commissioner for the Peoples Republic of Bangladesh; Dominic Grieve MP, Shadow Attorney General; Brian Binley MP; Lord Sheikh; Shahagir Bakth Faruk & Muquim Ahmed.

The room was full and there were many who just simply could not get in which was unfortunate. We promise next year that we will have a larger room. Therefore, our apologies to those who were unable to enter the room - it will not happen next year!

You can view more pictures of the launch by going to the Events page.

Meanwhile, thank you for visiting our website and please continue to visit for news of upcoming events which we will be organizing around the Country.

09 October 2006

The Rt. Hon. David Cameron MP, the Leader of the Conservative Party, has officially endorsed CFoB:

(Click on the image below to enlarge the letter)

July - September 2006 News

28 September 2006

If you are attending the Conference in Bournemouth you are cordially invited to:

21 September 2006

Anne Main has appointed the second Vice Chairman of the Group: Rob Wilson MP, Reading East. Rob, a resident of Reading for 20 years, was elected to Parliament in 2005 having previously served as a local councillor. Rob has extensive experience in the health and communications sectors having successfully built up several such businesses.

8 August 2006

Brian Binley MP for Northampton South has accepted Anne Main’s invitation to become Vice Chairman of CFoB.

Brian joined the Conservative Party as a Young Conservative when he was 17 years old. He went on to train, qualify and work as a Party Agent. He has also worked at Central office. This was before he set up two very successful businesses, served as a Conservative Councillor and being elected to Parliament in May 2005! There is much to read about Brian on his website: www.brianbinley.com

Rafat Khan will join the Committee taking up one of the co-opted positions. Rafat is a well known figure in the St. Albans Constituency where he recently stood as a Candidate in the local elections and has lived for 33 years. Rafat has a business in neighbouring Hemel Hempstead. He is married and has six children the eldest having just graduated from University and about to embark on a career in Law. Rafat will join the Committee as Community Liaison Advisor.

Tony Lee will also join the Committee taking up one of the co-opted positions. Tony is married and is the father of two grown up sons. Over the years, Tony has held various positions within his local Association. Currently, he is Chairman for the Bourne End Branch in Buckinghamshire. He has been visiting Bangladesh for over 25 years and has bought textiles and garments from there for many years. Learn more about Tony’s business by visiting his Company website: www.chilternresources.com

Dr. Charles Tannock MEP has accepted the Chairman, Anne Main’s invitation to take up a place on the Executive Committee representing the European Parliament.

Charles was first elected MEP for London in 1999. He is the Conservative Spokesman on Foreign Affairs and former Spokesman on Financial Services. Charles was a Consultant Psychiatrist and Senior Lecturer at University College Hospital and St. Luke’s Hospital from 1995-99. Charles’ website address is: www.charlestannock.com

1 August 2006

Dominic Grieve MP, Shadow Attorney General has accepted an invitation from Anne Main MP, Chairman, to join the Executive Committee. Dominic is the Member of Parliament for Beaconsfield and is a well known figure within the Bangladeshi Community here in the United Kingdom. Learn more about Dominic by visiting his website: www.dominicgrieve.org.uk

CFoB will have a “bank” of Researchers. Our Researchers will be made up of 12 young British people half of whom will be of Bangladeshi origin. It is intended that the Researchers will represent a variety of interests and specialist subjects.

The first of those individuals to be appointed is Shamima Begum whose specialist subject is Law. The second of our Researchers to be appointed is Andrew Rosell. Andrew’s specialist subject is Economics.

The first Officer to be appointed to the CFoB Committee responsible for overseeing the group of Researchers is Dr. Phillip Lee PPC.

Phillip is a General Practitioner and is currently the Deputy Chairman of Fundraising and Membership in the Beaconsfield Constituency. Having fought the seat of Blaenau Gwent for the Conservatives in 2005 Philip is a seasoned campaigner! Phillip is on the Conservative Party’s Candidate List (Priority List).

5 July 2006

Anne Main MP for St. Albans together with Muquim Ahmed and Shahagir Bakth Faruk will be the among the first Officers appointed to the new Group: Conservative Friends of Bangladesh.

Anne is honoured to accept the invitation and challenge to form the Conservative Friends of Bangladesh and be one of the Founding Members of the new Group. She easily identifies with the work ethic – entrepreneurial skills, strong family ties and community minded spirit of the Bangladeshis here in the UK as being akin to traditional Conservative values.

To learn more about Anne visit her website: http://www.annemain.com

The other Founding Members Muquim Ahmed and Sahagir Bakth Faruk will take the title of Deputy Chairman and will be responsible for fundraising. They are both very well known members of the Bangladeshi Community here in Britain. Take time to visit the Bangladesh & British Chamber of Commerce site (through our Links section) and find out more about Faruk and Muquim.

Other Officers identified and due to be appointed are: Teresa Rosell who will take on the role of Deputy Chairman responsible for Organisation and Management and Kevin Hollinrake PPC who will take on the role of Treasurer.

Teresa is at present Deputy Chairman of Fundraising and Finance in the St. Albans Constituency and has held many positions within the Beaconsfield Constituency including serving as a locally elected Councillor and Deputy Mayor of Beaconsfield. She has had a varied successful career in business and is a parent of two: 16 and 19 year old girl and boy respectively. Due to bereavement she has been a single parent since 1993.

Kevin is a successful businessman who works in Partnership with his brother. Their business interests being spread from York to Manchester. Kevin is married with a young family and is involved in charity and voluntary work in the York area where he lives. Kevin’s family is entrenched in the North of England his earlier familial connections originating from Calder Valley. Kevin is on the Party’s Parliamentary Candidate List (Priority List).

Other members will be appointed in due course.

Thank you for your interest in Conservative Friends of Bangladesh. You are warmly invited to join us by becoming a member and very much look forward to you joining us at future events.

© 2006-2011 CFOB. Website by Andrew Rosell