Prime minister Tarique Rahman’s office on Wednesday said Zaima Rahman had been appointed as a legal officer at the Office of the President of the 81st Session of the United Nations General Assembly through an independent UN recruitment process, with no involvement from the Bangladesh government.‘Neither the Bangladesh government nor the Prime Minister’s Office gave Zaima Rahman any job, nor was she appointed to Bangladesh’s Permanent Mission to the UN,’ Mahdi Amin, adviser to the prime minister with the rank of state minister and spokesperson for the PMO, said.
He made the remarks at a press conference at Karabi Hall in the Prime Minister’s Office in Tejgaon regarding Tarique Rahman’s participation in the 81st UNGA session.
Zaima Rahman, the daughter of prime minister Tarique Rahman, holds a law degree from Queen Mary University of London in the United Kingdom.
Mahdi said Zaima was recruited directly by UN headquarters for the Office of the President of the General Assembly, with the organisation’s human resources team completing the process independently under its rules and procedures.
‘The entire recruitment process and financial benefits related to her appointment are borne directly by the United Nations, leaving no scope for government involvement,’ he said, adding that details of the post and recruitment process could be verified on the UN’s official website.
Explaining the UN professional grading system, Mahdi said P-1 posts were generally for new graduates, P-2 required at least two years of experience, and P-3 required at least five years of professional experience. Higher grades include P-4, P-5, and director-level positions.
He said Zaima had secured the P-3 position through a competitive process based on her educational qualifications, experience, and professional profile.
‘In the past, we have seen a culture of using political or family influence for postings to international missions or inclusion in delegations. She did not go there in that manner,’ Mahdi said.
‘Reaching such a position in an international organisation like the United Nations through one’s own merit should rather be appreciated,’ Mahdi said, adding that linking such an achievement to political motives and spreading misinformation was undesirable.
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