Former US President Barack Obama has written a letter of support for Dr. Muhammad Yunus in which he expresses his wish that the Nobel Peace Prize–winning economist can continue to conduct his ‘vital work’.
On Sunday, Dr. Yunus, the creator of Grameen Bank, posted a picture of the letter bearing Obama’s signature to his verified Facebook page.
“I have long been inspired by your efforts to empower people through offering them the means to lift their families and communities out of poverty. As I said when having the opportunity to meet you in the White House in 2009, your work has inspired millions to imagine their own potential,” said the letter from the 44th president of the United States.
“During this period, I hope it gives you strength to know that many whose potential you invested in, and those of us who care about a more equitable economic future for all, are thinking of you, and I hope that you continue to have the freedom to do your important work,” it reads.
Joe Biden, the current US president, served as Obama’s vice president for eight years across two administrations. Obama is still regarded as having enormous influence inside the Democrat party in particular and US politics in general.
In a complaint submitted to Dhaka’s No. 3 Labour Court on Sunday, 34 distinguished individuals of the nation expressed their “deep concern” about the government’s intentions in light of a number of recent events that have been against Bangladesh’s first and only Nobel winner up until this point.
On August 20, a full bench of the Appellate Division cleared the way for the criminal case to continue against Dr Yunus and his co-defendants, by rejecting a petition to prevent the case from proceeding. The trial commenced two days later.
In a statement circulated to news outlets, the group of concerned citizens called upon the government to stop all sorts of harassment against Dr Yunus. It notes his lawyers’ contention that the allegations brought in the case are civil in nature, yet the government has pursued a criminal case.
“The government’s role in disposing of the case with abnormal haste has become evident recently,” the statement said. It also alleges that Dr Yunus has already been subjected to harassment in the case.
The statement continues, “Harassing him under the guise of legal and administrative measures is impeding his work and sending a bad signal to the world.”
The Department of Inspection for Factories and Establishments (DIFE) visited Grameen Telecom, according to case documents in the public domain, and discovered numerous labor law infractions.
