UNESCO commission wants legal action against Dr Yunus

Nobel laureate economist Dr. Muhammad Yunus

The Bangladesh UNESCO National Commission (BNCU) has raised concerns regarding the alleged deception and misuse of UNESCO's name by Nobel laureate economist Dr. Muhammad Yunus and the Yunus Center. In a statement released to the media, the commission expressed its intention to seek an explanation from Dr. Yunus and the Yunus Center, while also hinting at the possibility of legal action.

Details of the Statement

The statement, titled "Giving Tree of Peace to Dr. Muhammad Yunus: Statement of Bangladesh UNESCO National Commission," was signed by Deputy Secretary General Zubaida Mannan. It addressed recent reports in Dhaka's daily newspapers and the official webpage of the Yunus Center regarding the 'Tree of Peace' award supposedly conferred upon Dr. Yunus by UNESCO.

According to the statement, the BNCU became aware of the news through press releases from the Yunus Center, which claimed that Dr. Yunus received the award at the 11th Global Baku Forum in Azerbaijan. However, investigations by the BNCU revealed discrepancies, as UNESCO's Dhaka office and headquarters in Paris had no knowledge of such an award. Furthermore, the 'Tree of Peace' honor was clarified to be a sculptural memorial by Israeli artist Miss Hedva Ser, who is not a representative of UNESCO.

The statement denounced the press release from the Yunus Center as deliberate and deceptive, and highlighted the responsibility of the BNCU to prevent the misuse of UNESCO's name in Bangladesh. It warned Dr. Yunus and the Yunus Center against future misrepresentations and indicated a potential pursuit of legal action due to the alleged fraudulent nature of the matter.

Legal Proceedings and Pending Cases Against Dr. Yunus

The statement also referenced ongoing legal proceedings against Dr. Yunus, including a recent court verdict sentencing him and three senior officials of Grameen Telecom to jail time and fines for labor law violations. Additionally, Dr. Yunus faces pending cases related to income tax claims, which are currently awaiting court decisions. The statement argued that in light of these legal issues, it is inappropriate to bestow prestigious awards or honors upon Dr. Yunus until he is proven innocent by the court.

The statement from the Bangladesh UNESCO National Commission underscores the gravity of the situation regarding the alleged deception and misuse of UNESCO's name by Dr. Muhammad Yunus and the Yunus Center. It reflects the commission's commitment to upholding the integrity of UNESCO's reputation and ensuring accountability for any misuse of its name in Bangladesh. As the situation unfolds, further actions may be taken by the commission in consultation with UNESCO authorities.