• Supreme Court of Bangladesh postpones hearing on Professor Yunus
• 26 members of US Congress defend the independence of Grameen Bank
• 5 French personalities, including former Prime Minister Michel Rocard, express support for Grameen Bank and microcredit in Bangladesh
• Author Paulo Coelho writes in support of Professor Yunus
Paris, March 15, 2011
 The Supreme Court of Bangladesh postponed Tuesday’s hearing of Professor Yunus for two weeks. It appears the delay is primarily due to increasing divisions within the government of Bangladesh regarding Muhammad Yunus and the independence of Grameen Bank. Professor Yunus continues to run Grameen Bank as Managing Director.
 Last week, 26 members of the US Congress appealed to the government of Bangladesh to ensure the independence of Grameen Bank. In a letter to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, the Congressional Bangladesh Caucus said that Washington and Dhaka had championed solid ties in areas ranging from economic cooperation to defense.
“Unfortunately the situation with Dr. Yunus is beginning to overshadow these concrete gains and introduce uncertainty regarding one of Bangladesh’s most visible and beloved institutions,” the 26 members of Congress added. Led by Representative Joseph Crowley (Democrat - New York), the caucus declared, “We respectfully urge you to resolve this matter with Dr. Yunus through a mutually satisfactory compromise that ensures the ongoing independence of Grameen Bank.”
This initiative comes after Hillary Clinton spoke with Professor Yunus by telephone last week in a gesture of support.
 In its issue dated March 16, French newspaper Le Monde published an op-ed entitled, “We must save Grameen Bank and microcredit in Bangladesh.” Signed by the Executive President of Friends of Grameen, Maria Nowak, former Prime Minister Michel Rocard, former IMF Managing Director Michel Camdessus, Vice President of the Friends of Grameen Executive Committee Martin Hirsch, and MP Jérôme Chartier, the op-ed stated: “We do not accept the ousting of a man of conviction, a giant in the fight against extreme poverty. We do not accept that Grameen Bank will become a state-owned tool or, even worse, a tool of propaganda.”
 World famous author, Paulo Coelho, expressed his support for Professor Yunus in an article on his blog (paulocoelhoblog.com). Entitled “Ignorance and Greed,” the article notably states, “the only weapon that we currently have and that the government doesn’t, is international awareness and presence in media and people’s heads.”
About Friends of Grameen
“Friends of Grameen” is a voluntary association established under the French law of 1901. The purpose of the association is the promotion and development of microcredit and social business, in particular the microcredit activities of Grameen Bank and its affiliates. The Honorary Committee is chaired by Mary Robinson, former President of Ireland and former United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights. The Executive Committee is chaired by Maria Nowak, President of ADIE, a pioneering French microfinance institution created in 1989.
www.friendsofgrameen.com
Press contacts: Burson-Marsteller Paris
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