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RANA PLAZA VICTIMS FIGHT BACK AGAINST “FASHION REVOLUTION WEEK” AS A CRIMINAL COURT ACCEPTS BRITISH BUSINESSWOMAN’S CRIME COMPLAINT IN BANGLADESH ON THEIR BEHALF Copy

Yasmin Choudhury — Tue, 16 May 2023 16:32:28 +0000

** PRESS STATEMENT **

Tuesday 16 May 2023

#IRemember1136 + #Shutup4RanaPlaza

Today, Tuesday 16 May 2023, (From Sylhet, Bangladesh) – Yasmin A. Choudhury, (Happy), CEO of British fashion human rights company Lovedesh, a pioneering luxury brand, can confirm that a legal crime petition was accepted on Tuesday 16 May 2023. By the Metropolitan Magistrate Court No 3, Sylhet. And now a criminal investigation ordered by the presiding Magistrate in this Court, has asked the Sylhet Metropolitan Police (SMP), to investigate criminal allegations bought against some of the biggest names in the global fashion campaigning sector.

Filed by Yasmin A. Choudhury (Happy) within a month of the 10th anniversary of the world’s fourth largest industrial disaster of the Rana Plaza building collapse. On behalf of many of its former alive, dead and missing adult and child garment workers, known by the global fashion world as “the Rana Plaza victims”.

Many Rana Plaza survivors have been complaining to Yasmin Choudhury of what they call are the “unethical” and “criminal” actions of global fashion charities and campaigners. Using their tragedy to benefit financially and non-financially. And to host events. During the anniversary of the tragedy every year, in a week that is globally known as “Fashion Revolution Week”.

A reminder that just before 9am local time, 24 April 2013, a factory called Rana Plaza in Savar, Dhaka collapsed. On the heads of 5,000 plus crammed garment workers.

Killing 1,136 (according to survivors). With over 2,000, left injured, disabled. And many more missing to this day.

Defendants are as follows: Awaj Foundation, an organisation based in Bangladesh. Fashion Revolution based in London, UK (the founders of the global fashion campaign “Fashion Revolution Week”. And Fair Wear Foundation based in Netherlands. All of whom have offices in Dhaka, Bangladesh.

The victims of Rana Plaza are distressed, as they claim no money or benefit has been received from these three fashion charities and campaigners. Who claim to care for garment workers and the Rana Plaza tragedy. Yet have been raising funds, worth millions of Bangladeshi Taka – without their permission, consultation or involvement.

Today many survivors or relatives of the dead are jobless. Poor. Several Rana Plaza victims suicided. And the majority remain hungry and destitute. Some are even homeless. Disabled or and struggling to find the means to stay alive. In fact much of this is further corroborated by research undertaken by charity Action Aid In Bangladesh, which states:

“A third of people affected by Rana Plaza collapse in Bangladesh still ‘traumatised’ and struggling with physical and mental health a decade on”

(Action Aid Research 2023)

“When asking the world’s biggest fashion campaigning activists and organisations in UK, USA and Europe to help Rana Plaza victims, they either ignored me or ghosted me,” said Yasmin A. Choudhury (Happy), CEO of Lovedesh.

“Despite sending polite requests, they raked in the cash. I felt I – a British woman with heritage from Bangladesh, who can now speak Bengali, had no other option but to help sponsor a legal course of action for the Rana Plaza victims – because they do not have the power or means. Now they do, I am rooting for their success”.

Md. Zakaria, Advocate, The Supreme Court of Bangladesh, who presented the claim in Metropolitan Magistrate Court Number 3, Sylhet, said: “This could be a world first. Where a British citizen has filed a crime case on behalf of some of the poorest in Bangladesh. We plan to fight for the right to get answers all the way. So that the justice that is owed to the dead of Rana Plaza victims, is finally delivered.”

Moriom Akter Sanchita, a former Rana Plaza garment worker, who is still searching for the body of her missing sister Shameli, aged 13, said:

”We used to be voiceless but not anymore. On each anniversary of the Rana Plaza tragedy, I believe millions of Taka have been collected for 10 years, by foreign fashion organisations and others based in Dhaka. But my family never received a penny of this. This is not ok.”

She continued:

“We cry for our missing sister every day. It is for her and all the other survivors I, and a few others went to court. And we are proud to lead a campaign that Lovedesh has developed for us, called #ShutUp4RanaPlaza and #IRemember1136. As we are taking back control of our voices and our tragedy.”

Photos shows a young Moriom Akter Sanchita and her sisters – with missing teenage garment worker Shameli in a yellow kameez. (Photo Copyright – Lovedesh. Do not publish without express permission of owner).

Missing teenage former Rana Plaza garment worker Shameli.(Copyright Lovedesh).

Updated 24 May 2023: And here is a video by Moriom, prior to issuing legal writ to all three defendants. which formed part of the pre-court action protocol, that received no reply. And it was unlisted to keep it private to protect the defendants. But was later published as it is in the public’s interest. .

Advocate Md. Abdul Mukit (Opi), said “We are not going to back down until justice is served to Rana Plaza survivors, who having suffered one tragedy, now suffer another. At the hands of foreign organisations, who should know better, yet exclude their voices and presence from the commemoration and fundraising events relating to their own tragedy”.

Ms Marjaina Chowdhury, a female advocate chosen to represent the women victims, said: “We wish to make clear our client Yasmin Choudhury’s complaint is not related to the Bangladesh Government, nor any factory owner. Her complaint is on behalf of Rana Plaza victims, which include survivors and relatives of the dead and missing, and is specifically against the global fashion campaigning sector. We wish to remind Western based feminists not to forget the tears of brown women.”

This is a joint legal action. With 14 Rana Plaza former garment workers as witnesses on record, of which three victims were present in Sylhet court during the filing of this crime petition.

Ends

Contact:

Lovedesh Press Team HQ (London, UK & Bangladesh)

Email: media@lovedesh.com

Notes to editors

Date Of Court Attendance was Tuesday 16 May 2023

Https://cjmc.sylhetdiv.gov.bd/en

Interviews with Rana Plaza survivors and relatives of the dead are available.

A Bengali translation of this press release is available. See below.

To find out more about the Lovedesh Rana Plaza Victims Group or how to best support their legal case including the search for missing dead garment worker Shameli aged 13, visit their sponsored page on the Lovedesh website https://www.lovedesh.com/lovedesh-rana-plaza-victims-group/

BENGALI

প্রেস স্টেটমেন্ট

মঙ্গলবার 16 মে 2023

#IRemember1136 + #Shutup4RanaPlaza

আজ, মঙ্গলবার 16 মে 2023, (সিলেট, বাংলাদেশ থেকে) – ইয়াসমিন এ. চৌধুরী, (হ্যাপি), ব্রিটিশ ফ্যাশন মানবাধিকার সংস্থা লাভদেশের সিইও, একটি অগ্রগামী বিলাসবহুল ব্র্যান্ড, নিশ্চিত করতে পারেন যে 16 মে মঙ্গলবার একটি আইনি অপরাধের আবেদন গৃহীত হয়েছে 2023. মেট্রোপলিটন ম্যাজিস্ট্রেট আদালত নং 3, সিলেট কর্তৃক। আর এখন এই আদালতের প্রিসাইডিং ম্যাজিস্ট্রেটের নির্দেশে একটি ফৌজদারি তদন্তের নির্দেশে সিলেট মেট্রোপলিটন পুলিশকে (এসএমপি) বিশ্ব ফ্যাশন প্রচার খাতের বড় কিছু নামের বিরুদ্ধে কেনা ফৌজদারি অভিযোগ তদন্ত করতে বলা হয়েছে।

রানা প্লাজা ভবন ধসের বিশ্বের চতুর্থ বৃহত্তম শিল্প বিপর্যয়ের 10 বছর পূর্তি হওয়ার এক মাসের মধ্যে ইয়াসমিন এ. চৌধুরী (হ্যাপি) দায়ের করেছেন। এর অনেক প্রাক্তন জীবিত, মৃত এবং নিখোঁজ প্রাপ্তবয়স্ক এবং শিশু পোশাক শ্রমিকদের পক্ষ থেকে, যাকে বিশ্ব ফ্যাশন বিশ্ব “রানা প্লাজার ভিকটিম” বলে পরিচিত।

রানা প্লাজা থেকে বেঁচে যাওয়া অনেক ব্যক্তি ইয়াসমিন চৌধুরীর কাছে অভিযোগ করেছেন যে তারা যেটিকে বৈশ্বিক ফ্যাশন দাতব্য সংস্থা এবং প্রচারকদের “অনৈতিক” এবং “অপরাধমূলক” কাজ বলে। তাদের ট্র্যাজেডিকে ব্যবহার করে আর্থিক ও অ-আর্থিকভাবে লাভবান হওয়া। এবং ইভেন্ট হোস্ট করতে. প্রতি বছর ট্র্যাজেডির বার্ষিকীতে, একটি সপ্তাহে যা বিশ্বব্যাপী “ফ্যাশন বিপ্লব সপ্তাহ” নামে পরিচিত।

একটি অনুস্মারক যে স্থানীয় সময় সকাল 9টার আগে, 24 এপ্রিল 2013, ঢাকার সাভারে রানা প্লাজা নামে একটি কারখানা ধসে পড়ে। পাঁচ হাজারের বেশি গার্মেন্টস শ্রমিকের মাথায়।

1,136 জনকে হত্যা করা (বেঁচে থাকা ব্যক্তিদের মতে)। সঙ্গে 2,000, বাম আহত, প্রতিবন্ধী. এবং আজ অবধি নিখোঁজ আরও অনেকে।

বিবাদীরা নিম্নরূপ: আওয়াজ ফাউন্ডেশন, বাংলাদেশে অবস্থিত একটি সংস্থা। লন্ডন ভিত্তিক ফ্যাশন বিপ্লব, যুক্তরাজ্য। এবং নেদারল্যান্ড ভিত্তিক ফেয়ার ওয়্যার ফাউন্ডেশন। যাদের সবারই ঢাকা, বাংলাদেশে অফিস আছে।

রানা প্লাজার ভুক্তভোগীরা ব্যথিত, কারণ তারা দাবি করেছেন যে এই তিনটি ফ্যাশন দাতব্য সংস্থা এবং প্রচারকদের কাছ থেকে কোনও অর্থ বা সুবিধা পাওয়া যায়নি। যারা গার্মেন্টস শ্রমিকদের যত্ন নেওয়ার দাবি করে এবং রানা প্লাজা ট্র্যাজেডি। তবুও তহবিল সংগ্রহ করে চলেছে, কোটি কোটি বাংলাদেশী টাকা মূল্যের – তাদের অনুমতি, পরামর্শ বা সম্পৃক্ততা ছাড়াই।

আজ অনেক জীবিত বা মৃতদের আত্মীয় বেকার। দরিদ্র। রানা প্লাজায় বেশ কয়েকজন আত্মহত্যা করেছেন। এবং সংখ্যাগরিষ্ঠ ক্ষুধার্ত এবং নিঃস্ব থেকে যায়. কেউ কেউ গৃহহীনও। অক্ষম বা এবং বেঁচে থাকার উপায় খুঁজে পেতে সংগ্রাম. প্রকৃতপক্ষে এর বেশিরভাগই বাংলাদেশে দাতব্য অ্যাকশন এইড দ্বারা পরিচালিত গবেষণার দ্বারা আরও নিশ্চিত করা হয়েছে, যা বলে:

“বাংলাদেশে রানা প্লাজা ধসে ক্ষতিগ্রস্ত এক তৃতীয়াংশ মানুষ এখনও ‘ট্রমাটাইজড’ এবং এক দশক ধরে শারীরিক ও মানসিক স্বাস্থ্য নিয়ে লড়াই করছেন”
(অ্যাকশন এইড রিসার্চ 2023).

লাভদেশের সিইও ইয়াসমিন চৌধুরী বলেন, “যুক্তরাজ্য, ইউএসএ এবং ইউরোপের বিশ্বের সবচেয়ে বড় ফ্যাশন প্রচারাভিযান কর্মী এবং সংস্থাগুলোকে রানা প্লাজার ক্ষতিগ্রস্থদের সাহায্য করতে বললে, তারা হয় আমাকে উপেক্ষা করেছে বা আমাকে ভূত করেছে,” বলেছেন লাভদেশের সিইও ইয়াসমিন চৌধুরী।

“নম্র অনুরোধ পাঠানো সত্ত্বেও, তারা নগদ র্যাক করেছে। আমি অনুভব করেছি যে আমি – বাংলাদেশের ঐতিহ্যের অধিকারী একজন ব্রিটিশ মহিলা, যিনি এখন বাংলা বলতে পারেন, রানা প্লাজার ক্ষতিগ্রস্থদের জন্য একটি আইনি পদক্ষেপের পৃষ্ঠপোষকতায় সহায়তা করা ছাড়া আর কোন উপায় ছিল না – কারণ তাদের ক্ষমতা বা উপায় নেই। এখন তারা করছে, আমি তাদের সাফল্যের জন্য রুট করছি”

মোঃ জাকারিয়া, অ্যাডভোকেট, বাংলাদেশের সুপ্রীম কোর্ট, যিনি সিলেটের মেট্রোপলিটন ম্যাজিস্ট্রেট কোর্ট নম্বর 3-এ দাবি উপস্থাপন করেন, বলেন: “এটি বিশ্বে প্রথম হতে পারে। যেখানে বাংলাদেশের দরিদ্র কিছু মানুষের পক্ষে একজন ব্রিটিশ নাগরিক অপরাধ মামলা করেছেন। আমরা সমস্ত উপায়ে উত্তর পাওয়ার অধিকারের জন্য লড়াই করার পরিকল্পনা করি। যাতে রানা প্লাজার নিহতদের বিচার শেষ পর্যন্ত পাওয়া যায়।”

মরিয়ম আক্তার সঞ্চিতা, একজন প্রাক্তন রানা প্লাজার গার্মেন্টস কর্মী, যিনি এখনও তার 13 বছর বয়সী নিখোঁজ বোন শামেলির লাশের সন্ধান করছেন, বলেছেন:

“আমরা কণ্ঠহীন ছিলাম কিন্তু এখন আর নেই। রানা প্লাজা ট্র্যাজেডির প্রতিটি বার্ষিকীতে, আমি বিশ্বাস করি 10 বছর ধরে ঢাকায় অবস্থিত বিদেশী ফ্যাশন সংস্থা এবং অন্যান্যদের দ্বারা লক্ষ লক্ষ টাকা সংগ্রহ করা হয়েছে। কিন্তু আমার পরিবার এর একটি পয়সাও পায়নি। এটা ঠিক না।”

তিনি চালিয়ে যান:

“আমরা প্রতিদিন আমাদের নিখোঁজ বোনের জন্য কাঁদি। এটা তার জন্য এবং অন্য সব জীবিত আমি, এবং আরও কয়েকজন আদালতে গিয়েছিলাম। এবং লাভদেশ আমাদের জন্য #ShutUp4RanaPlaza এবং #IRemember1136 নামে একটি প্রচারাভিযানের নেতৃত্ব দিতে পেরে আমরা গর্বিত। যেহেতু আমরা আমাদের কণ্ঠস্বর এবং আমাদের ট্র্যাজেডির নিয়ন্ত্রণ ফিরিয়ে নিচ্ছি।”

ফটোতে দেখা যাচ্ছে এক যুবক মরিয়ম আক্তার সঞ্চিতা এবং তার বোনেরা – হলুদ কামিজে নিখোঁজ কিশোরী গার্মেন্টস কর্মী শামেলির সাথে। (ফটো কপিরাইট – লাভদেশ। মালিকের স্পষ্ট অনুমতি ছাড়া প্রকাশ করবেন না)।

Missing teenage former Rana Plaza garment worker Shameli.(Copyright Lovedesh).

24 মে 2023 আপডেট করা হয়েছে: এবং এখানে তিনটি বিবাদীর কাছে আইনি রিট জারি করার আগে মরিওমের একটি ভিডিও রয়েছে৷ যেটি প্রি-কোর্ট অ্যাকশন প্রোটোকলের অংশ, যার কোনো উত্তর পাওয়া যায়নি। এবং আসামীদের রক্ষা করার জন্য এটি ব্যক্তিগত রাখার জন্য তালিকাবিহীন ছিল। কিন্তু পরে জনস্বার্থে প্রকাশ করা হয়। .

অ্যাডভোকেট মোঃ আব্দুল মুকিত (অপি), বলেন, “রানা প্লাজা থেকে বেঁচে যাওয়া ব্যক্তিদের ন্যায়বিচার না পাওয়া পর্যন্ত আমরা পিছপা হব না, যারা একটি ট্র্যাজেডির শিকার হয়ে এখন অন্যটি ভোগ করছে। তাদের নিজস্ব ট্র্যাজেডি সম্পর্কিত স্মৃতিচারণ এবং তহবিল সংগ্রহের অনুষ্ঠান থেকে তাদের কণ্ঠস্বর এবং উপস্থিতি বাদ দিন”।

মিসেস মারজাইনা চৌধুরী, নারী ভুক্তভোগীদের প্রতিনিধিত্ব করার জন্য নির্বাচিত একজন মহিলা অ্যাডভোকেট, বলেছেন: “আমরা স্পষ্ট করতে চাই আমাদের ক্লায়েন্ট ইয়াসমিন চৌধুরীর অভিযোগ বাংলাদেশ সরকার বা কোন কারখানার মালিকের সাথে সম্পর্কিত নয়। তার অভিযোগ রানা প্লাজা ক্ষতিগ্রস্তদের পক্ষে, যার মধ্যে বেঁচে থাকা এবং মৃত এবং নিখোঁজদের আত্মীয়রা অন্তর্ভুক্ত, এবং বিশেষ করে বিশ্বব্যাপী ফ্যাশন প্রচারণা সেক্টরের বিরুদ্ধে। আমরা পশ্চিমা ভিত্তিক নারীবাদীদের মনে করিয়ে দিতে চাই যেন বাদামী নারীদের চোখের জল ভুলে না যায়।”

এটি একটি যৌথ আইনি পদক্ষেপ। রানা প্লাজার 14 জন সাবেক গার্মেন্টস কর্মী রেকর্ডে সাক্ষী হিসাবে, যাদের মধ্যে তিনজন ভিকটিম এই অপরাধের আবেদন করার সময় সিলেট আদালতে উপস্থিত ছিলেন।

(শেষ হয়)

যোগাযোগ:

লাভদেশ প্রেস টিম সদর দপ্তর (লন্ডন, যুক্তরাজ্য ও বাংলাদেশ)

ইমেইল: media@lovedesh.com

সম্পাদকদের নোট

আদালতে উপস্থিতির তারিখ – মঙ্গলবার 16 মে 2023 | সিলেট জজ কোর্ট, সিলেট, বাংলাদেশ

https://cjmc.sylhetdiv.gov.bd/en

রানা প্লাজা থেকে বেঁচে যাওয়া এবং নিহতদের স্বজনদের সাক্ষাৎকার পাওয়া যাচ্ছে।

এই প্রেস রিলিজের বাংলা অনুবাদ পাওয়া যাচ্ছে। নিচে দেখ.

লাভদেশ রানা প্লাজা ভিকটিমস গ্রুপ সম্পর্কে আরও জানতে বা কীভাবে তাদের আইনি মামলায় সর্বোত্তমভাবে সমর্থন করা যায়, যার মধ্যে 13 বছর বয়সী নিখোঁজ মৃত গার্মেন্টস কর্মী শামেলির সন্ধান সহ। লাভদেশ ওয়েবসাইটে তাদের স্পনসর করা পৃষ্ঠা দেখুন

Lovedesh Rana Plaza Victims Group

The post RANA PLAZA VICTIMS FIGHT BACK AGAINST “FASHION REVOLUTION WEEK” AS A CRIMINAL COURT ACCEPTS BRITISH BUSINESSWOMAN’S CRIME COMPLAINT IN BANGLADESH ON THEIR BEHALF Copy appeared first on Lovedesh.

Official Legal Notice 24.04.24 – 10th Anniversary of Rana Plaza Factory Collapse

Yasmin Choudhury — Mon, 24 Apr 2023 14:21:49 +0000

LOVEDESH RANA PLAZA VICTIMS

OPEN LETTER RE PRE-ACTION PROTOCOL

PUBLISHED 23 APRIL 2023 – EVE OF THE RANA PLAZA DISASTER

Press: ranaplazavictims@lovedesh.com

Sir/Madam,

Re Pre-Action Protocol Legal Notice

This letter has been drafted by myself. Miss Yasmin A. Choudhury (Happy). CEO of registered British company Lovedesh (07908945). And joint claimant Mrs Mst. Moriom Akter Shanchita, a former Rana Plaza victim. Who is lead representative of the LRPVG.

We are acting on behalf of 20+ members and beneficiaries of the “The Lovedesh Rana Plaza Victims Group” (LRPVG). Which was convened in 2019. Their page can be found here.

I hereby issue a second formal pre-action legal notice to Miss Nazma Akhter of Awaj Foundation, Masrur Rahman, of Fashion Revolution Bangladesh. And Bablur Rahman, Country Manager of Fair Wear in Bangladesh.

Including all and any secondary parties. Listed above. Which are also, organisation(s) our clients – The Lovedesh Rana Plaza Victims Group (LRPVG), are in dispute with. These include Laudes Foundation. Red Carpet Green Dress. Remake Our World. Shimmy’s Technologies and more.

This is a formal cease and desist order. To prevent all parties from being involved or mentioning the 10^th anniversary regarding the Rana Plaza tragedy. And to expose what each of you did and have done to victims of Rana Plaza.

Furthermore. Our clients are seeking compensation in excess of £36 million+. For fraud. And for damage, personal injury and distress that has caused further deprivation to my clients. By the actions of the lead defendants.

Due to the exceptional emergency on the occasion of the approaching 10th anniversary of The Rana Plaza factory collapse on 24^th April 2023. We seek an urgent resolution. To this dispute. Privately. We attach and present a pre-court action proposal.

Should this offer be rejected. We will then seek remedy via the Supreme Court of Bangladesh. And file a class action petition. After 24 April 2023.

I have appointed a lawyer in Bangladesh. To represent Lovedesh and the Rana Plaza Victims Group, in a criminal and civil class action suit. Regarding the infringement of their humanitarian and moral rights. And complicity in fraud. Cover ups. Causing personal injury, distress to me and our clients. First, we will sue in Bangladesh, later in each of the host nations where defendants are based – e.g., UK, Switzerland and EU.

What is the nature of the dispute?

We possess evidence Ms Nazma Akther of Awaj Foundation and Fashion Revolution are “fraudsters”. Who have exploited Rana Plaza collapse for their own personal gain. And that Fair Wear Foundation as well as secondary defendants have all helped to endorse the former. Together, the LRPVG believe they have hijacked the trauma and tragedy of our clients, the Rana Plaza victims to benefit themselves. As well as many elite, powerful, rich individuals who work for foreign organisations and charities. Either they aided and abetted. Or benefited. Financially. Or via non tangible assets.

Furthermore. Both Ms Nazma Akther of Awaj Foundation and Fashion Revolution misled the global public. And became self-appointed speakers on the Rana Plaza collapse.

They further refused to platform Rana Plaza victims or assist them when Miss Yasmin contacted them. Erased their voices. And erased their right to speak at events and campaigns. Which were undertaken without their express permission. Survivors were never invited to any of their events.

You, who are not the victims or the dead of Rana Plaza, have earned in excess of million pounds of income – donated or funded. Or established your brand, products or organisation by relying on this tragedy. Yet every member of LRPVG remained penniless. Hungry. And starving.

You have all claimed to care about sustainable and sweatshop free fashion. When we possess evidence to the contrary. And when each of you, or nominated representative/agent/partners were written or contacted privately by me, to put right the wrong done. You did not choose to do so.

Now the LRPVG want answers. That go as far back as April 24^th, 2013. The date of their trauma. Tragedy. Sickness. And death.

Our Pre-Action Protocol Offer

We now ask each of you to agree, to settle this dispute within seven days. And have proposed terms listed below. Our offer expires on Monday 1 May, 2023 at 00:00 Bangladesh time. After which, I and my legal team of experts are prepared to file a civil and criminal legal suit in the Supreme Court of Bangladesh.

Recently for 1.6 billion+ Muslims, it was the month of Ramadan. The LRPVG wish you well. And our requests are very reasonable. They simply seek the following outcomes. So that you can ALL put right the wrong done. And they want to make clear they are very happy to forgive each of you, upon to you being open, to discussing the terms on offer, listed below.

We ask each of you to pay damages, as we seek a total sum in excess of £36 million+ from all of you. To cover medical expenses. Injury and distress done. These costs will be used to fund the following, which are projects being led and founded by Miss Yasmin of Lovedesh:
- The 1136 Fund. Sums granted to members of the Lovedesh Rana Plaza Victims Fund to re-boost their lives. Provide medical expenses. And to mentor and re-train them into sustainable livelihoods.
- The RIP Fund. My clients will use funds to resume the search of dead bodies that remain missing from the Rana Plaza collapse. Starting with Miss Moriom’s dead teenage sister Shameli. And will further fund more searches for dead bodies via the launch of an ethical and natural skin and beauty brand called “Shameli”.
- Memorial Invitation. You are invited to attend a Rana Plaza Memorial on the 11^th anniversary at Savar, Dhaka immediately, on 24 April 2024. This is a ticketed event. To help place flowers and light candles for the dead. Which will be hosted by Lovedesh and members of the LRPVG. A press conference will follow the next day. We ask you to join us. And participate.
- Memorial Garden. Miss Yasmin is seeking to request the Bangladeshi Government and former owner of Rana Plaza building for the now derelict area to be transformed into a peaceful memorial. We seek you to help us lobby for this wonderful idea to remember the dead, who died for fashion.
- #IRemember1136 World Memorial Fashion Tour From May 2023. Lovedesh will be seeking to kickstart a world tour for Rana Plaza victims which will be a ticketed event. To ensure their voices are heard and to showcase innovation in sweatshop free fashion. And they meet with media and consumers. These events will be held in Rome – Italy, Dubai – UAE, Tokyo – Japan, Mumbai – India, London – UK, Los Angeles – USA. Geneva – Switzerland and Brussels, Belgium.
- Luxury Outlet. Lovedesh will open a multi storey retail outlet in Bond Street, London W1, UK. And Miss Yasmin will be bringing Rana Plaza victims to be trained to work as temporary sales assistants. And to showcase pioneering sustainable food, fashion and travel. Created to protect people and planet as well as boost income and create jobs in the UK and across the developing world.
- Popp Magazine, A luxury magazine to showcase sustainable fashion, food and travel. Employing vulnerable communities across the world, from jobless transgender people in Bangladesh. To war refugees and working-class adults.
- Lovedesh will seek to establish an office in Sylhet Bangladesh and Savar, Dhaka. We invite you to join in this effort. So that the victims are empowered with their own voices.
A personal apology to each of the members of the LRPVG – they wish for this to be at a face-to-face meeting privately in Bangladesh to occur after 24 April 2023. In Dhaka, Bangladesh.
Financial Transparency. Independent verified accounts of all donations and benefits in kind (financial and non-financial) received since 24 April 2013 which were in directly or indirectly linked to Rana Plaza victims or Nazma Akhter of Awaj Foundation. As my clients wish to peruse this information. For quantum purposes. If a financial settlement is reached to the satisfaction of my clients – they are happy to remove this condition as part of a settlement.
Change voice. To assist and support Rana Plaza Victims to reclaim their voices. And control their own narrative. Miss Nazma as well as the organisations listed, must never be allowed to speak on or behalf of Rana Plaza victims.
Erase “Fashion Revolution Week”. Rana Plaza victims no longer wish this phrase to be associated with their tragedy nor during and in the week the tragedy occurred. All promotional events and marketing online or offline must cease.
No More Rana Plaza Events. No event can take place before, in the run up or after the Rana Plaza anniversary. All any and events will be handled by victims or their relevant appointed grassroots organisations. Such as Lovedesh.
“Poverty Porn”. We request you and others across the world to cease all mention of Rana Plaza and or showing victims faces. In any marketing or promotional item – be it online via social media. Or offline.
We now invite each of you to join Lovedesh’s honorary advisory panel to support Miss Yasmin’s plans to combat sweatshops. And to help Rana Plaza victims. You are welcome to nominate a member of your staff.

Should all of the above conditions be amenable to you. We will cease court proceedings. And swiftly take steps to confer a meeting in Dhaka. With you and your legal representatives. If we reach a settlement, we will keep this a closed private matter. And to look ahead.

Miss Yasmin and Mrs Moriom have also further issued a public video appeal – to confirm the Rana Plaza victims have no desire to take this matter to a Bangladeshi court. They wish to resolve all of this in private.

I attach the link here.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vuqjExdFiK4&feature=youtu.be

As the stress and trauma on the LRPVG members, many of whom are poverty stricken, jobless, disabled will be extreme. Many are also widow/ers. Or disabled. Destitute. And because the 10^th anniversary coincided with Eid-al-Fitr – a major Islamic religious festival that concludes the Holy Month Of Ramadan, fasting from sunrise to sunset when they are nil by mouth – while this day was enjoyed by over 1.6 billion+ Muslims across the world. The Rana Plaza victims began to mourn the dead and injured.

Future Court Action

Should this opportunity be declined then, our legal team in Bangladesh reserve the right to seek remedy via the Supreme Court in Dhaka. We will also instruct our lawyers to assist in helping us report all organisations listed in this letter for misleading the public, fraud, embezzlement and injury and distress to Rana Plaza victims of Bangladesh. All of which are crimes in Bangladesh. We will also overturn every piece of evidence we possess, to the relevant authorities. We are also due to host a global press conference in Savar, Dhaka after 24 April 2023 – the 10^th anniversary of the Rana Plaza collapse. With the victims.

Our lawyers will also seek to apply for an injunction to prevent all foreign organisations outside of Bangladesh, from collecting any donations or benefits from partner organisations, sponsors and donors. As well as seeking an injunction to halt any media or charity or activity being held before or after “Fashion Revolution week”. And we will pursue you robustly through the legal system in Bangladesh. In UK and every other nation.

Public Notice

As this is also a public interest matter.

It is my client’s duty to whistle blow. And to report wrongdoing. Undertaken against one of the world’s most vulnerable community. Poverty stricken Bangladeshi former garment workers. Who are victims. The dead, sick, injured and disabled victims of 2013 Rana Plaza factory collapse in Bangladesh. In which 1,136 were killed. And over 2,000 injured.

We therefore regret to inform you a copy of this formal notice is also being sent to all and any other donors or partner organisations of yours. By my clients.

As well as posted on the Lovedesh website. This is being done in advance to prevent any event preparations or charity campaigns related on the eve of the 10^th anniversary of the Rana Plaza collapse. In order to inform and assist the general public and media. Of the dispute Lovedesh and Rana Plaza victims have, with Awaj Foundation and Fashion Revolution. As well as some of the world’s biggest fashion campaigning charities and organisations.

I look forward to resolving this matter urgently.

Yours Sincerely,

Yasmin A Choudhury (Happy).

CEO of Lovedesh.

The post Official Legal Notice 24.04.24 – 10th Anniversary of Rana Plaza Factory Collapse appeared first on Lovedesh.

10TH ANNIVERSARY – RANA PLAZA SURVIVORS ISSUE LEGAL WARNING TO FASHION REVOLUTION WEEK

Yasmin Choudhury — Sun, 23 Apr 2023 18:28:42 +0000

10th anniversary press statement

Embargoed.

Until 00.01 GMT Monday 24 April 2023.

10TH ANNIVERSARY – RANA PLAZA SURVIVORS

ISSUE LEGAL WARNING TO FASHION REVOLUTION WEEK

#IRemember1136 & #ShutUpForRanaPlaza.

(Today, Monday 24 April, 2023 (London, UK & Dhaka Bangladesh) – On the 10th anniversary (24 April 2023) of the tragic Rana Plaza factory building collapse, Lovedesh, a British ethical luxury fashion brand that campaigns to protect people and planet. Which works at grassroots, with many of the Rana Plaza victims, is proud to resurrect the launch of two campaigns called #IRemember1136. And #ShutUpForRanaPlaza. Both will run for one year in order to cancel and replace the global fashion campaign “Fashion Revolution Week.”

It is also a pre-cursor to legal action being taken to seek damages from those who have hurt survivors and relatives of the dead, impacted by the Rana Plaza tragedy.

These two hashtag campaigns #IRemember1136 and #ShutUpForRanaPlaza, were first designed in 2019 and 2020 respectively, by Lovedesh’s British CEO Yasmin A. Choudhury (Happy), to reclaim the voice and narrative of some of the Rana Plaza victims, who are “disgusted” and “angry” at the many “clout chasing” and “money making” schemes run by Western fashion campaigning organisations outside of Bangladesh. Many survivors of Rana Plaza claim several global organisations use their images as well as the names of those who were killed.

And in so doing, these western based fashion campaigning organisations, have been collecting money, donations and awards. Without the permission. involvement or knowledge of the relatives of the dead, or of the survivors themselves.

Top of the Rana Plaza victims’ list is Fashion Revolution. As well Awaj Foundation (Bangladesh), Fair Wear Foundation (Netherlands), Remake Our World (USA), Laudes Foundation (Switzerland), Red Carpet Green Dress (USA) and Sarah Krasley, CEO of Shimmie Technologies (USA & Bangladesh).

Both hashtag campaigns are being led by Lovedesh CEO Yasmin A. Choudhury (Happy), with assistance from Mrs Moriom Akter Shanchita, who is lead representative of the Lovedesh Rana Plaza Victims Group (LRPVG), consisting of 20+ survivors. And endorsed by the Bangladeshi Rana Plaza Survivors Association that works to benefit over 4,000 families.

11.36AM – ONE MINUTE SILENCE – #IREMEMBER1136

To mark the death of the 1,136 garment workers, and to help support their families who continue to mourn their dead. As well as the missing, the sick, disabled, the widowed, the orphans and the jobless. For this purpose. Lovedesh invites the world to hold a one minute silence at 11:36 am local time. wherever you are in the world.

And to stand with the LRPVG, a group of over 20 plus Rana Plaza survivors or relatives of the dead, sponsored and mentored by CEO Yasmin Choudhury. And to urge the fashion conscious to purchase the #IRemember1136 benefit t shirt from the Lovedesh Merch website. As all profits will be donated to the LRPVG.

“FASHION REVOLUTION WEEK” = #SHUTUP4RANAPLAZA

In 2013, a British fashion campaigning organisation called Fashion Revolution, led by two white women, cited the Rana Plaza tragedy as the sole cause to set itself up as a fashion campaigning organisation. It then chose to name the same week in which the very Rana Plaza factory collapsed and killed 1,136 garment workers in Bangladesh, after their own organisation. And so “Fashion Revolution Week” was coined. And grew into a global movement. With offices in many nations. And donations were sought. And many fundraising campaigns were borne to support “Fashion Revolution Week”.

Yet we could find no sign of any Rana Plaza victims being involved. Nor do they involve them because they survivors informed us as such.

Now #ShutUp4Rana Plaza seeks to urge all public and donor organisations to stop supporting and funding “Fashion Revolution Week”. And the global fashion campaigning sector.

Instead we are calling for urgent scrutiny from relevant Government authorities, namely, the United Kingdom, EU, USA and Bangladesh. To investigate and regulate the fashion campaigning sector. And Rana Plaza survivors are also seeking to replace the global “Fashion Revolution Week” campaign with the ##SHUTUP4RANAPLAZA – to ensure the voices of the voiceless are now heard every year. Because evidence exists their victims’ voices are being disrespected. And to seek to resolve a dispute that started back in 2019. When requests for meetings with the survivors were rejected or ignored by many global fashion campaigners.

In 2020. Objections were even later raised by Lovedesh and the victims, after Orsola Di Castro, founder of Fashion Revolution and Tasmin Lejeune of Common Objective, were separately approached, to support and/or collaborate with the benefit #IRemember1136 t shirt that Lovedesh had designed, that came with the blessing and cooperation of Rana Plaza survivors. Who were delighted with a new fashion campaign that pin pointed and remembered the number who they state had died in the Rana Plaza collapse. All to no avail.

PRE ACTION PROTOCOL NOTICE

Lovedesh can confirm it has already served Awaj Foundation, Fashion Revolution Bangladesh and Fair Wear Foundation’s staff member in Bangladesh, a pre action protocol legal notice, on behalf of Lovedesh and the LRPVG. This was posted and emailed over a week ago by our legal team of lawyers in Bangladesh. And we now reserve the right to pursue further legal action via the Bangladeshi crime and civil courts against the “exploitation, fraud and misleading of the public”. Relating to donations collected since 2013, during “Fashion Revolution Week” given this campaign’s origin and momentum are linked to the terrible Rana Plaza factory collapse.

“On behalf of the Lovedesh Rana Plaza victims group, we are asking for a minute to remember our dead. Who were killed by fashion. And for the world to cancel Fashion Revolution Week” said Mrs Moriom Akter Shanchita, A former Rana Plaza garment worker who was sick on the day of the tragedy and avoided the collapse. Morion has been left for 10 years, searching to locate the body of her dead sister. Missing 13 year old female Rana Plaza garment worker Shameli.

Mrs Moriom Akter Shanchita continues:“There can be no revolution in Fashion, without the Rana Plaza survivors – and us – the relatives of the dead and missing. Fashion Revolution, Awaj Foundation, FairWear Foundation never gave us any money. Nor offered to search for my dead sister Shameli.

“Now we are all asking what have they been doing with all the money they earned through the global fashion campaign “Fashion Revolution Week?” We the survivors were wholly unaware of this campaign until Lovedesh CEO Miss Yasmin, who has heritage from Bangladesh and can speak our language, informed us of this horrific global campaign. We never even got invited to speak. They all just spoke for us. For 10 years. Do we not have a voice? Or it is because we are poor and deemed illiterate? We now want remedy and urge everyone to stop Fashion Revolution Week. And to read the open letter regarding proposed remedies, written by Miss Yasmin Choudhury on all our behalf. Which aims to seek an out of court financial and non financial settlement before May 1, 2023. In order to avoid criminal and civil court action”’.

To watch a more extensive interview with Mrs Moriom Akter Shanchita, here is the video in full.

OUR DISPUTE WITH NAZMA AKTER, AWAJ FOUNDATION

Lovedesh and the LRPVG also object to the under hand means by which foreign western based charities have been working with Nazma Akter, founder and Executive Director of Awaj Foundation, a Bangladeshi charity claiming to represent garment worker interests. This individual is deeply distrusted and objected to, by Rana Plaza victims.

The foreign organisations who have worked with Ms Akter, despite being informed of her unethical conduct include CEO Leslie Johnston of Laudes Foundation (Switzerland), Founder Suzy Cameron and CEO Samata Pattinson of RCGD (Red Carpet, Green Dress USA) and Alexander Kohnstamm, Executive Director of Fairwear Foundation (Netherlands). All famous fashion campaigning organisations, who were observed by Lovedesh, as excluding Rana Plaza victims and instead collaborating with Nazma Akther of Awaj to help them monetise projects. Believed to be in excess of millions of pounds.

“We find it despicable that two ‘tone deaf’ white women (Orsola Di Castro and Cary Somers of Fashion Revolution) appear to erase Rana Plaza voices, with no consultation from the vulnerable survivors, who for 10 years remained in the dark about “Fashion Revolution Week”.

“To have even named the same week in which the deaths of 1,136 garment workers in Bangladesh happened after their own organisation is not only contemptible but painful to the memory of the dead and grieving. Their actions 10 years on – reek of ‘white saviour complex’ and “colonialist mantra” because if they sincerely cared – instead of blocking us, they would talk to us. They chose not. But they are not the only ones with arrogance and hubris, The list of cloying fashionistas profiteering from erasing the Rana Plaza survivors, is as long as my arm,” said Yasmin A. Choudhury (Happy), CEO of Lovedesh.

Choudhury continues:“This type of erasure and insult could and would never happen to British or American survivors of tragedies. Fashion Revolution did not get any mandate. But we did before we undertook any activity. And why I will stand up for the voiceless. As upon informing Fashion Revolution of the pioneering #IRemember1136 benefit t-shirt, Orsola Di Castro and Tamsin Lejeune appeared to me – reluctant and too busy to get involved. Worst of all – upon being challenged, many famous names and organisations have also blocked me. a clear sign surely of guilt perhaps? This includes Fashion Revolution (UK), Remake Our World (USA). While others with access to power and platform, .who could help expose the concerns we have raised refused to get involved. Including journalists Brett Matthews of Apparel Insider, Jasmin Malik Chua of Sourcing Journal and Nadine White, Race Correspondent of British newspaper Independent (latter two. blocked me)- all of whom were presented with evidence and asked to investigate. But refused to do so. Citing that the story of the Rana Plaza survivors views does not merit being explored further. Or just ghosting us. Hence we now have a media blacklist as the survivors and victims state they wish too have nothing to do with such journalists who betray the code of ethics”

She added: “Henceforth I am alerting every global and foreign organisation, entity and charity involved with the global “Fashion Revolution Week” campaign, to be very wary of raising or donating funds to Fashion Revolution the organisation and to any of its related entities. We ask that they, as supporters of this global fashion campaign do not become complicit in misleading the public. Who remain unaware that Rana Plaza survivors were cut out. And hence could be deemed by survivors, to be colluding and endorsing “Fashion Revolution Week” – a campaign that was not and never will be one that is endorsed by Rana Plaza survivors. And as no evidence exists, as of yet, of any monies paid to Rana Plaza victims, we urge all organisations we remain in dispute with, to settle this. By reading the open letter proposing an array of remedies both Lovedesh and the Lovedesh Rana Plaza victims will be seeking. In order to avoid court action. And of course, should all organisations who have hurt the work that Lovedesh and the Rana Plaza Victims Group have undertaken, and should parties we are in dispute with, ignore or refuse to mediate, then we will be seeking to file a motion through our legal team in Bangladesh through the Judge’s Court of Sylhet or Supreme Court of Bangladesh.”

For more evidence of the array of many more organisations who have hurt the Rana Plaza victims including Safia Minney, former founder of People Tree fashion brand, former High Commissioner to Bangladesh Robert Chatterton Dickson, British Bangladesh Fashion Council as well as Extinction Rebellion and their fashion deal with the brand Stella McCartney, you can visit Lovedesh Hall Of Horrors. Which over the next few days and weeks will publish each and every story with evidence of what some of the biggest names in fashion have done, in order to prevent Rana Plaza victims from having a voice in their own tragedy. Or have been using and exploiting the Rana Plaza tragedy. In order to raise funds. None of which has benefited the Rana Plaza victims. Or those who simply hijacked work done by Lovedesh.

– Ends –

CONTACT INFORMATION

Press: media@lovedesh.com and ranaplazavictims@lovedesh.com

NOTES TO EDITORS

More info about the LRPVG is here https://www.lovedesh.com/lovedesh-rana-plaza-victims-group/
Lovedesh’s mandate from survivors is here. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XnS81SoFLH8&t=686s
To read the formal legal notice (in Bengali) below. Issued by our legal team of Bangladeshi Advocates to Awaj Foundation, Fashion Revolution Bangladesh and Fair Wear Foundation.

https://www.dropbox.com/s/x17qo7tipa3ltd1/%2AFINAL%2A%20Rana%20Plaza%20Legal%20Notice.pdf?dl=0

2. Lovedesh Hall Of Horrors.

Hall Of Horrors

3. In 2020 the Survivors protested and hung a banner showing all the faces of those who hurt the work Lovedesh is doing.

Message from husband and wife team, former Rana Plaza garment worker Moriom Akter Sanchita (sister of missing child garment worker Shameli) and Ohidul a survivor – to Nazma Akter of Awaj Foundation

In 2020, a short film behind the scenes, was even published on YouTube, Documenting CEO Yasmin A Choudhury (Happy’s) trip to meet the Rana Plaza victims of Savar, Bangladesh. Who she was shocked to find remained destitute, jobless, sick and desperately in need.

THE LETTER & PROPOSAL

LOVEDESH RANA PLAZA VICTIMS

OPEN LETTER RE PRE-ACTION PROTOCOL

PUBLISHED 23 APRIL 2023 – EVE OF THE RANA PLAZA DISASTER

THE LETTER & PROPOSAL

LOVEDESH RANA PLAZA VICTIMS

OPEN LETTER RE PRE-ACTION PROTOCOL

PUBLISHED 23 APRIL 2023 – EVE OF THE RANA PLAZA DISASTER

Sir/Madam,

Re Pre-Action Protocol Legal Notice

We are acting on behalf of 20+ members and beneficiaries of the “The Lovedesh Rana Plaza Victims Group” (LRPVG). Which was convened in 2019. Their page can be found here.

I hereby issue a second formal pre-action legal notice to Miss Nazma Akhter of Awaj Foundation, Masrur Rahman, Country Co-Ordinator of Fashion Revolution Bangladesh. And Bablur Rahman, Country Manager of Fair Wear in Bangladesh.

Should this offer be rejected. We will then seek remedy via the Supreme Court of Bangladesh. And file a class action petition. After 24 April 2023.

I have appointed a lawyer in Bangladesh. To represent Lovedesh and the Rana Plaza Victims Group, in a criminal and civil class action suit. Regarding the infringement of their humanitarian and moral rights. And complicity in fraud. Cover ups. Causing personal injury, distress to me and our clients. First we will sue in Bangladesh, later in each of the host nations where defendants are based – eg UK, Switzerland and EU.

What is the nature of the dispute?

Furthermore. Both Ms Nazma Akther of Awaj Foundation and Fashion Revolution misled the global public. And became self-appointed speakers on the Rana Plaza collapse.

Now the LRPVG want answers. That go as far back as April 24^th, 2013. The date of their trauma. Tragedy. Sickness. And death.

Our Pre-Action Protocol Offer

We now ask each of you to agree, to settle this dispute within seven days. And have proposed terms listed below. Our offer expires on Monday 1 May, 2023 at 00.00 Bangladesh time. After which, I and my legal team of experts are prepared to file a civil and criminal legal suit in the Supreme Court of Bangladesh.

We ask each of you to pay damages, as we seek a total sum in excess of £36 million+ from all of you. To cover medical expenses. Injury and distress done. These costs will be used to fund the following, which are projects being led and founded by Miss Yasmin of Lovedesh:
- The 1136 Fund. Sums granted to members of the Lovedesh Rana Plaza Victims Fund to re-boost their lives. Provide medical expenses. And to mentor and re-train them into sustainable livelihoods.
- The RIP Fund. We will use funds to resume the search of dead bodies that remain missing from the Rana Plaza collapse. Starting with Miss Moriom’s dead teenage sister Shameli. And will further fund more searches for dead bodies via the launch of a ethical and natural skin and beauty brand called “Shameli”.
- Memorial Invitation. You are invited to attend a Rana Plaza Memorial on the 11^th anniversary at Savar, Dhaka immediately, on 24 April 2024. This is a ticketed event. To help place flowers and light candles for the dead. Which will be hosted by Lovedesh and members of the LRPVG. A press conference will follow the next day. We ask you to join us. And participate.
- Memorial Garden. We are seeking to request the Bangladeshi Government and former owner of Rana Plaza building for the now derelict area to be transformed into a peaceful memorial. We seek your help to lobby for this wonderful idea to remember the dead, who died for fashion.
- #IRemember1136 World Memorial Fashion Tour. From May 2023. Lovedesh will be seeking to kickstart a world tour for Rana Plaza victims which will be a ticketed event. To ensure their voices are heard and to showcase innovation in sweatshop free fashion. And they meet with media and consumers. These events will be held in Rome – Italy, Dubai – UAE, Tokyo – Japan, Mumbai – India, London – UK, Los Angeles – USA. Geneva – Switzerland and Brussels, Belgium.
- Luxury Outlet. Lovedesh will open a multi storey retail outlet in Bond Street, London W1, UK . And we will be bringing Rana Plaza victims to be trained to work as temporary sales assistants. And to showcase pioneering sustainable food, fashion and travel. Created to protect people and planet as well as boost income and create jobs in the UK and across the developing world.
- POPP Magazine, A luxury magazine to showcase sustainable fashion, food and travel. Employing vulnerable communities across the world, from jobless transgender people in Bangladesh. To war refugees and working class adults.
- Offices. Lovedesh will seek to establish an office in Sylhet Bangladesh and Savar, Dhaka. We invite you to join in this effort. So that the victims are empowered with their own voices.

A Personal Apology. Given to each of the member of the LRPVG – they wish for this to be at a face-to-face meeting privately in Bangladesh to occur after 24 April 2023. In Dhaka, Bangladesh.

Financial Transparency. Independent verified accounts of all donations and benefits in kind (financial and non-financial) received since 24 April 2013 which were in directly or indirectly linked to Rana Plaza victims or Nazma Akhter of Awaj Foundation. As my clients wish to peruse this information. For quantum purposes. If a financial settlement is reached to the satisfaction of my clients – they are happy to remove this condition as part of a settlement.

Change voice. To assist and support Rana Plaza Victims to reclaim their voices. And control their own narrative. Miss Nazma as well as the organisations listed, must never be allowed to speak on or behalf of Rana Plaza victims.

Erase “Fashion Revolution Week”. Rana Plaza victims no longer wish this phrase to be associated with their tragedy nor during and in the week the tragedy occurred. All promotional events and marketing online or offline must cease.

No More Rana Plaza Events. No event can take place before, in the run up or after the Rana Plaza anniversary. All any and events will be handled by victims or their relevant appointed grass root organisations. Such as Lovedesh.
“Poverty Porn”. We request you and others across the world to cease all mention of Rana Plaza and or showing victims faces. In any marketing or promotional item – be it online via social media. Or offline.

Join Us? We now invite each of you to join Lovedesh’s honorary advisory panel to support Miss Yasmin’s plans to combat sweatshops. And to help Rana Plaza victims. You are welcome to nominate a member of your staff.

Should all of the above conditions be amenable to you. We will cease court proceedings in Bangladesh and UK. And swiftly take steps to confer a meeting in Dhaka. With you and your legal representatives. If we reach a settlement, we will keep this a closed private matter. And to look ahead.

I attach the link here.

Future Court Action

Should this opportunity be declined then, our legal team in Bangladesh reserve the right to seek remedy via the Sylhet Judge’s Court or The Supreme Court in Dhaka We will also instruct our lawyers to assist in helping us report all organisations listed in this letter for misleading the public, fraud, embezzlement and injury and distress to Rana Plaza victims of Bangladesh. All of which are crimes in Bangladesh. We will also overturn every piece of evidence we possess, to the relevant authorities. We are also due to host a global press conference in Savar, Dhaka after 24 April 2023 – the 10^th anniversary of the Rana Plaza collapse. With the victims.

Public Notice

As this is also a public interest matter.

It is our duty to whistle blow. And to report wrongdoing undertaken against one of the world’s most vulnerable communities. Poverty stricken Bangladeshi former garment workers of one of the most deadliest building collapses. Who are victims. The dead, sick, injured and disabled victims of 2013 Rana Plaza factory collapse in Bangladesh. In which 1.136 were killed. And over 2,000 injured.

We therefore regret to inform you a copy of this formal notice is also being sent to all and any other donors or partner organisations of yours. By us. As well as posted on the Lovedesh website.

This is being done in advance to prevent any event preparations or charity campaigns related on the eve of the 10^th anniversary of the Rana Plaza collapse. In order to inform and assist the general public and media. Of the dispute Lovedesh and Rana Plaza victims have, with Awaj Foundation and Fashion Revolution. As well as some of the world’s biggest fashion campaigning charities and organisations.

I look forward to resolving this matter urgently.

Yours Sincerely

Yasmin A Choudhury (Happy) & Morion Akter Shanchita

CEO of Lovedesh & On Behalf Of Lovedesh Rana Plaza Victims Group

The post 10TH ANNIVERSARY – RANA PLAZA SURVIVORS ISSUE LEGAL WARNING TO FASHION REVOLUTION WEEK appeared first on Lovedesh.

Yasmin Choudhury, CEO of Lovedesh asks for protection from U.K., Sweden & Bangladesh’s Govts.

Lovedesh Team — Wed, 06 Jul 2022 17:10:39 +0000

Office of Hon PM of Bangladesh

Office of Hon PM Boris Johnson U.K.

Office of Hon Magdalena Andersson Sweden

cc British High Commission in Bangladesh, Swedish Embassy in Bangladesh

#JusticeForYasmin campaign

Re Yasmin Choudhury

Arriving Bangladesh Wednesday 5 July until 18 July 2022.

My name is Yasmin Choudhury. CEO of Lovedesh. Aged 52. An award winning registered British Company. The world’s first retail brand that is not for profit and purely design to pull ourselves and profits back into charitable projects that fight sweatshops, global poverty, child labour, climate change and more. I am a British citizen with a No Visa Required stamp for Bangladesh in my passport.

I’m the founder of the #JusticeForYasmin campaign. Where I am seeking Justice for all the horror, torture, and destruction I faced as a woman, and as a business leader.

I am asking the British, Swedish, and Bangladeshi Prime Ministers to help us innocent female business leaders. To prevent sexual harassment, threats, and intimidation.

And to support the campaign #JusticeForYasmin.

I ask your help for protection. And safety. As I have good belief my life is under threat.

From my own blood relatives. In the U.K. and Bangladesh.

Sexual assault

I am arriving in Bangladesh on 6 July 2022 and need help to report a sexual assault. That occurred on my body in 2019. In my late father’s property 38 Payra. Amberkhana Sylhet Bangladesh. I was alone in a room.

My attacker was Saleh Ahmed Khasru. In his 60s. Of Electric Supply, Sylhet. He is my blood first cousin and is from Ali Nagor village in BeaniBazaar. He is married. Has three children. One of whom is an adult female herself now married.

Khasru is a prominent local political leader. Of BNP.

This disgusting evil man groped me. Held me down and put his tongue into my mouth and whine I fended him off. I knew I could not report him until I returned to the UK. As in 2011, he also attempted to falsely charge me by using police officers. Based on fabricated lies. As he is a land grabber.

And despite asking over and over. For my family to settle this privately. To hold Khasru accountable. Every relative I appealed to went silent. They are all protecting my entire Muslim blood family.

In fact, towards the end of 2021, many of my relatives including my British solicitor sister Nazmin Choudhury and her husband Enam Choudhury took him on a boat trip. As well as many others.

British citizens. Husband and wife couple.

Enamul Haque Choudhury currently in Boro Bazar Sylhet.

Nazmin Choudhury, British solicitor.

I will also be reporting the following relatives and third parties protecting Khasru, despite being made aware. And yet have been staying silent as follows. And refused to assist me.

Faisal Ahmed Choudhury founder of Barak Power. Residence Shubid Bazaar Sylhet.

Rushi Choudhury. Residence Shubid Bazaar Sylhet working at a primary school in Sylhet.

Fahim Choudhury of Barak Power. Residence Shubid Bazaar Sylhet.

Panna – Khasru’s sister.

Jasna – paternal first cousin

Sweden

Mamun of Sweden (full name coming)

Women’s rights of Inheritance in Bangladesh.

I also need help as a British citizen who is asking the Govt to help us British women, who have had our inheritance stolen and defrauded. By family. To protect us.

In April 2015. My own blood family – The Choudhury’s of Ali Nagor Beani Bazaar Sylhet – led by my brother, sister, mother and male cousins destroyed the pioneering work being done by Lovedesh, to showcase Bangladesh to an international audience.

In 2015. When my family forcefully broke locks to my research base and office. Looted charity and evicted me and my charity projects from my own late father’s property.

I also seek help to ask for an investigation into the incidents in 2015. Which Khotwali police station in Sylhet refused to investigate. And when silent on.

Despite reporting so many members of my family to Bangladesh police – nothing happened. I was all alone. Destitute. And left homeless.

In fact, my own sister Nazmin Choudhury, a British solicitor and owner of NC Law, later attempted to get me arrested by the Bangladeshi police in 2015. She lied. Created. A false report. In order to rent out a property in her name. Which she, my mother did. And why today. All three of them profit from the rental of the office that once housed my charity base. I possess the rental contract.

When the officer saw my evidence, he realised I was the genuine victim. And assured me he would not take any further action.

But by destroying my test research and charity base in Amberkhana Sylhet, the Ali Nagor Choudhurys also destroyed plans to promote Bangladesh at Royal Kew Gardens and by the newspaper Mail on Sunday which in 2014 had a readership of several millions. All of whom wanted to collaborate with me in 2014-2015.

The Choudhurys of Ali Nagor family destroyed it all. And refused to allow me to help the nation of Bangladesh. By destroying all charity and business projects to steal my late father’s assets. Lovedesh suffered.

I have photographs that was Sheza before and after and Halle spitefully was rented out to another local business. That’s depriving my international charity projects.

Informed everyone who had relevant authority. Be at the local ward member. For Amberkhana. To the then Ali Nagor Chairman Mamun. And the Benai Bazaar Chairman – who I believe has since died. Neither took action.

I now want an investigation. Please?

Please investigate why the Khotwali Police Station in 2015 did not investigate why family destroyed my charity base. As I reported it to the office in charge of the station. Over and over and I suspect my blood family of bribing local police officers at Khotwali station, Sylhet in 2015. C

2022 crimes of modern-day slavery.

Child Labour.

My own blood family have also been involved in modern day slavery. Bullying. Threatening and intimidating the poorest people from or living in Ali Nagar.

Here are some examples.

In 2013 my own mother refused to help local village obtain electricity. She and my family have the belief system that by helping the poorest in a village, somehow their status will be harmed.

Find myself intervened and took the villages to the local electricity office in Beani Bazaar. And insisted that the paperwork is expedited.

They then used an Imam to kidnap a villager called SHELIM in 2021 – who attempted to escape my family as he was on low wages. And in late 2019, his own baby daughter called Jolly Begum died from neglect. She was 2. I was informed that my elder sister, Nazmin Choudhury, the body solicitor paid £5 so Shelim could take his dead baby daughter’s body and bury her. He cried to me.

Later had a new baby boy. That was born in 2021. Again, he’s a little but neither Nazmin Choudhury nor her husband Anamul Haque Chowdhury who were in the country offered medical assistance.

He later escaped. To his village. With my help. They despatched the Imam who forced him to return.

They – my blood mother, sister and her husband also refused to pay poor people. And during lockdown in 2020 demanded that staff leave village premises without pay. They made a heavily pregnant woman and her mother-in-law – a victim of the civil war homeless.

Helping them has been the Imam at my late father’s funder mosque in Ali Nagor. As well as a woman called Foni. A female cousin on my maternal family’s. side.

During Ramadan 2021, Enamul Haque Choudhury attempted to make a tenant in my late father’s property – hornless. Until I intervened.

I also discovered that they are using children as labourers on their new village development in Ali Nagor. Beani Bazaar.

These are now the relatives I wish to report are as follows. So that should anything happen to me. I wish to ensure these individuals are investigated.

British citizens.

Enamul Haque Choudhury

Nazmin Choudhury

Nazmul Hassan Choudhury

Nazrin Choudhury

Jasmin Choudhury

+ Rima Rouf Choudhury (wife or Nazmul Hassan)

The relatives and third parties protecting sexual pervert Khasru and criminal activity despite being made aware. Or of staying silent – are as follows.

British Bangladeshi citizens

Faisal Ahmed Choudhury founder of Barak Power. Residence Shubid Bazaar Sylhet.

Rushi Choudhury. Residence Shubid Bazaar Sylhet.

Fahim Choudhury of Barak Power. Residence Shubid Bazaar Sylhet.

Sweden

Mamun of Sweden (full name coming)

Khukon.

Conclusion.

I possess all evidence and ask you consider stripping the above named, of either British/Swedish or Bangladeshi status. So, they have only single citizenship status.

Please help protect us female always fighting our corrupt community. My own relatives identify as devout Muslims but as anyone knows. Islam fights for the rights of women and protects us.

And why so many who identifies Muslims, we’re having become corrupted hide under disguise of being devout “Muslims.” Nothing is further from the truth is no good Muslim would ever behave the way they have been behaving.

Such criminals should not benefit from

Dual nationality. – which is how these criminals operate. Knowing the privilege, they obtain from having a Western passport. These same criminals use their dual foreign passport status to exploit, bully and treat Bangladeshi citizens badly. As well as me.

Regards

Yasmin Choudhury

CEO Of Lovedesh

The post Yasmin Choudhury, CEO of Lovedesh asks for protection from U.K., Sweden & Bangladesh’s Govts. appeared first on Lovedesh.

The Horror Of Fashion

Lovedesh Team — Fri, 18 Feb 2022 03:08:33 +0000

Interview with Nilufar, former garment worker at Rana Plaza and her encounter with global fashion campaigner Nazma Akter, Awaj Foundation and the rest of Lovedesh Hall Of Horrors.

Click here to watch the full interview

LINKS Rana Plaza Story Trigger warning. Contains photos of dead garment workers. Photos and copyrighted music are used for educational purposes only. https://vimeo.com/69206421 SHORT MANDATE FILM Rana Plaza group meeting. https://youtu.be/y8CAABFwWvo LOVEDESH’S MANDATE FROM RANA PLAZA – CRISIS MEETING 18 DEC 2020 https://youtu.be/XnS81SoFLH8

The post The Horror Of Fashion appeared first on Lovedesh.

OUR COVERING LETTER RE #BakeOffFakeOff – THE GBBO DISPUTE

Lovedesh Team — Mon, 15 Nov 2021 15:12:14 +0000

OUR COVERING LETTER RE #BakeOffFakeOff – THE GBBO DISPUTE

FAO

BBC/Wall To Wall/C4//SkyStudios Programme makers associated with Love Productions & Ms Nadiya Hussain/AK Management

Next. Collaboration with Nadiya Hussain & her Footwear Edit

The Times – Monthly column by Nadiya Hussain

CC Starlight Children’s Foundation & Water Aid at which Nadiya Hussain is an Ambassador.

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

Official Complaint Re GBBO Creators Love Productions

+ Nadiya Hussain & Agent Anne Kibel of AK Management

I am due to be calling this particular battle #BakeOffFakeOff. In the #JusticeForYasmin campaign.

I would appreciate a response. Especially given COP26 has just ended. And to advise you this is a joint complaint that includes the Lovedesh Rana Plaza Victims group.

I’m Yasmin Choudhury, chief executive of award-winning Lovedesh A not for profit, ethical, luxury brand.

On a mission to protect people and planet. Since 2008.

The world’s first not for profit ethical, luxury brand. The only organisation in the world, endorsed by garment workers and victims of Rana Plaza.

Lovedesh has almost been destroyed by the unethical, greedy and corrupt. We are now hanging by a thread. And one of the many culprits are Love Productions. We ask you suspend working with this media company.

I am incandescent with heartbreak, to find that Love Productions has gone on to line its pockets. By being allowed to extend its Great British Bake Off (GBBO) contract with Channel 4.

Announced on November 12, 2021.

https://www.channel4.com/press/news/channel-4-and-love-productions-sign-new-bake-agreement

DISPUTE

LOVE PRODUCTIONS

In 2016, I caught Love Productions copying my original concept and research. They got a lawyer on me. I tried to meet with Miss Nadiya Hussain but I was not allowed.

It is my view, based on factual evidence I posses, that will show Love Productions is a racist, classist, greedy media company, that trampled over and infringed Lovedesh’s moral rights and ripped off my concept for a BBC1 cooking programme in 2016, called “Chronicles of Nadiya“.

Miss Nadiya Hussain

I do not believe she is authentic. I find it odd she waxes at length, of being bullied in media articles and interviews. Yet stood by and allowed a single working mother, with a young child, to get bullied by white media execs. As well as the poorest and most destitute communities we work for.

The disappointment at learning how Ms Nadiya Hussain along with her representatives have hurt and damaged a fellow WOC and vulnerable communities in Bangladesh, is shocking. I feel the British public is being misled.

In infringing our moral rights and more, the three parties involved in this complaint (Love Productions, Ms Nadiya Hussain, AK Management) hurt and damaged the work being done to protect people and planet.

Some of those working with me, were so poor and destitute, they have since died. And never got to see the work they did with me at Lovedesh, recognised.

And why I am furious. Shame on them all.

Lovedesh is a tiny brand. We are a British mother and daughter sustainable design duo. We have been very much under the radar, as we work in the grassroots, on projects relating to human rights and climate change. The scale, magnitude and depth of our work is, I am told, pioneering and world first. All of it is laid out here. Evidence we created the world’s kindest textile and the world’s kindest T-shirt.

In collaboration with some of the world’s poorest.

https://vimeo.com/showcase/8976203

https://www.lovedesh.com/the-lovedesh-tee/

My own daughter Amber Choudhury-Kaye has now been sent away on a sabbatical. To run her own eco design studio To protect her mental health. She is not involved in any of this dispute. Just me. She is 20 and horrified. It has broken her confidence as a young female entrepreneur, and charity worker, who started at the age of 7.

Amber is quite rightly overwhelmed at seeing her mother having to fend off attack after attack on Lovedesh. As am I.

We are both vulnerable and from disadvantaged backgrounds. And survivors of domestic violence, as well as homelessness. And every penny I have scrimped and saved went into building Lovedesh. And have been supported by an array of charities. All of which is on record. On paper. And listed in Lovedesh Hall of Angels.

Those who helped us protect people and planet.

My daughter and I, continue to educate and inspire – for free may I add and under extreme hardship – the youth, on sustainability, in schools and colleges.

We are speakers for tomorrow’s event A “Spotlight on Sustainability & Entrepreneurship” and the #Futures4Students – but having to send emails is simply heartbreaking.

I am also registered as disabled.

I am that rare, business leader who is open about Complex PTSD, an invisible disability, caused by humans. Due to prolonged, repeated often simultaneous bouts of extreme trauma, meted out to the body and brain purely due to personal injury at the hands of humans – hence a disability caused due to social constructs.

THE LONG READ

This is the link that has just been published.

It is a long read. As it is part of a story in my forthcoming memoirs. The Lovedesh 10+ Files.

https://www.lovedesh.com/news-about-lovedesh/open-letter-why-gbbo-winner-nadiya-hussain-its-creators-love-production-agent-anne-kibel-of-ak-management-must-stop/

It contains all the long and detailed email chains of the dispute we have with Love Productions. It reveals the unethical experience I and the poorest communities we support, experienced. And the emails from Richard McKerrow. Which show how he and his colleagues refused to honour the work Lovedesh does and did.

I also cite breach of Section 7 – Fairness of Ofcom guidelines on Fairness. The Right Of Attribution

Sky has a code of conduct – please control your Love Productions, whom you wholly own.

My video will go up shortly probably by the end of tomorrow. As this I feel, is a matter of public interest.

And currently there is a protest banner hanging up, outside the ruins of the Rana Plaza factory collapse, which killed 1,136 garment workers. Supported by the victims. We are all that fed up.

I did everything I could to resolve this privately, but they ghosted me. Or fell silent . That’s how much the disrespect being shown to us, who undertake human rights and sustainability work. And it’s not just them, but so many are at it as well.

If you think such allegations are shocking and bad, wait until you also hear what others have done. The corruption and greed I have encountered from so many in the business, charity and campaign sector, is something that could not equate to even 500 of the most horrific horror movies.

DAMAGES

I operate zero tolerance. And so must you on those who hurt the work done by not for profits.

I am due to be seeking damages on behalf of Lovedesh, for every income ever derived in the past, present and future created by;

– Nadiya Hussain & her agent Anne Kibel of AK Management since 2016

– GBBO creators Love Production since 2016

AND from this day forward, of the time and date stamp this email was issued, Lovedesh ALSO reserves rights to significant damages plus 11.36% of all gross revenue made by anyone and any third party associated with this programme. Or this talent. Or Love Productions.

Be it current and future income. To compensate for financial loss, harm and injury done.

Unless the wrong done – is put right.

And should anyone continue to associate or to earn income (or raise donations) from such talent or Love Productions, after having informed you of our complaint, you will have become complicit in harming and damaging people and planet. And hurting the Rana Plaza Victims.

Channel 4

I am strongly condemning the actions taken by this broadcaster, in renewing Love Production’s contract. In September 2021, C4 were copied into a tweet – that raised concerns about Love Productions.

https://twitter.com/yasminisyasmin/status/1440422956526493702?s=20

Why was it ignored since my Twitter account is verified? Do your social media team not forward tweets that indicate wrongdoing?

But I am fighting back.

In time for Elimination Of Violence Against Women & Girls on the 25th November. Under the banner of #JusticeForYasmin.

When the entire saga will emerge, of what was done, to injure and hurt me, my daughter and all the poorest communities we work with, across the world, to support them. Via my memoirs The Lovedesh 10+ Files and #JusticeForYasmin. The campaign for every single individual and entity featured in the Lovedesh Hall Of Horrors, to do the right thing.

I need to help show the British public proof, that there is little evidence of the high and mighty, who wield power & privilege, in wanting to protect people on planet, unless hubris and money are involved. Otherwise how else to explain what happened to me and Lovedesh?

And I truly hope all of you, will now race to try and help me protect Lovedesh. And show me your moral courage. And leadership. With regards to helping a woman of colour, a single mother, a small business owner get justice and what is due to us at Lovedesh.

And when the high and mighty, or those with deep pockets gather for climate change and human rights summits and conferences, just a reminder. This type of email (and more) will be a record of what those of us, who work with and for next to no money, have to do, in order to continue the work of protecting people and planet by finding sustainable solutions.

Conclusion

I should not have to be doing this.

There is little accountability in today’s media and entertainment world. None. This happened because I am alone, I work at the grassroots.

And Ms Hussain, Anne Kibel of AK Management and Love Productions underestimated me, thinking that because I lack funds, legal prowess, Lovedesh is to be trampled over.

Next.

We have to talk about the rise of the influencer.

And the rush to platform people of colour which also ends up pitting them against those of us who are authentically doing our work.

And why I have gone public. On this David and Goliath battle.

As this is a massive public interest story. At the heart of all this is, structural racism and classism. And quite frankly I’m tired of the performative actions by media companies to show that they are diverse and inclusive.

Enough is enough.

I am looking into reporting all misconduct to OFCOM. But first my complaint has to be issued to all the broadcasters, organisations and charities involved. In promoting and platforming those I am complaining about.

Suspend them.

Lovedesh is fighting for the survival of all its projects and the communities we support. All of which have been damaged simply due to greed, bullying, corruption and more. By the many, many who are powerful and rich.

I may not have huge resources or big corporate lawyers, but I do have “receipts” and the truth. And I know this much, that’s all it comes down to these days, thanks to social media.

I look forward to a reply as to what will be done.

And how to solve this. Fast.

Kind regards

Yasmin Choudhury FRSA

CEO & Founder of Lovedesh®
Ethical Luxury With Heart
On A Mission To Protect Our Planet

The post OUR COVERING LETTER RE #BakeOffFakeOff – THE GBBO DISPUTE appeared first on Lovedesh.

OPEN LETTER : WHY GBBO WINNER NADIYA HUSSAIN, ITS CREATORS LOVE PRODUCTION & AGENT ANNE KIBEL OF AK MANAGEMENT MUST STOP

Lovedesh Team — Sun, 14 Nov 2021 22:26:19 +0000

#BakeOffFakeOff

FAO

BBC – Tim Davies, Director General – Broadcaster of GBBO, Chronicles Of Nadiya & Fast Flavours

Channel 4 – Ian Katz, Chief Content Officer – Broadcaster of GBBO

Next – Simon Wolfson, CEO

The Times – John Witherow, Editor

Sky Studios – Cécile Frot-Coutaz CEO – Part Owners of Love Productions

Wall to Wall Media – Leanne Klein, MD & Head, Production Company for Fast Flavours

CC Starlight Children’s Foundation – Cathy Gilman, CEO and WaterAid – Tim Wainwright, CEO

To see the Cover letter of the email – sent, Monday 14 November, 2021, 14:04 click here (COMING SOON)

Dear All,

Official Complaint re

GBBO CREATORS LOVE PRODUCTIONS + Nadiya Hussain, Anne Kibel Of AK Management

I am Yasmin Choudhury. CEO of award winning Lovedesh®.

The world’s first ever truly ethical luxury brand – with heart. A not for profit.

On a mission to protect people and planet. And founder of many charities including Amcariza Foundation

I am a WOC social entrepreneur. A polymath. A business leader. A thought leader. A human rights campaigner. A fashion sustainability expert. Designer. A professionally trained actress. Writer.

And I’m also the only one in the world, working directly at the grassroots, who is also helping to carry the voices of some of those most impacted by human rights and climate change, who live in Bangladesh.

I am aware you and many others, are involved in hiring, endorsing and platforming Ms Nadiya Hussain. Her content. As well as that of Love Productions the creators of #GBBO (Great British Bake Off).

I also think it’s a disgrace that they have kept quiet and have gone ahead and renewed their GBBO contract with Channel 4.

https://www.channel4.com/press/news/channel-4-and-love-productions-sign-new-bake-agreement

I ask you to suspend.

As I am now submitting a formal complaint about Ms Nadiya Hussain, her agent Ms Anne Kibel, of AK management and Great British Bake Off (herein “GBBO”) creators, Love Productions.

And my complaint is being submitted as COP 26 the UN’s Climate Change Conference draws to a close.

I want to publicly state that my daughter Amber Choudhury-Kaye, is not involved nor connected in any of the disputes and currently on a sabbatical now, running her own business Ara Eco Design Studios. Nor is she in anyway to be associated with anything I write.

It is regrettable but I have taken the unusual step of naming just some of the high-profile establishments that are connected with promoting and platforming Miss Nadia Hussain, the great British Bake Off Winner of 2015.

But I don’t want this swept under the carpet. As I know that by coming to yourselves, I may at last be taken seriously. Given Love Productions has not. It is time for the parties referred to in this complaint, to be held accountable.

BBC LEGAL DEPARTMENT

On September 21, 2021 I wrote to Mr Peter Ranyard, BBC’s Head Of Corporate Legal – via Linked In. After I sent an invite to connect and he allowed me to connect with him. Again to express concerns.

I possess the text.

I got no response.

I also thought I had written to all three parties again, but upon checking my email inbox, I cannot see any evidence that I have contacted them recently. However, I have been very ill. And so I will be contacting them to ask them, for any copies of correspondence I sent to them in September 2021.

But I did do a Tweet. To Channel 4, Love Productions and Anne Kibel Management who were copied in.

Again I did not copy in Ms Hussain. Because she has representation, on business matters.

My #GBBO scandal.

Yo @LoveProductions + @AKAManagement – remember me? ❤️ I remember you. Imma coming to collect. Tsk tsk. So naughty.

I hope BBC (@Channel4) look at the history of your conduct. And change editorial policy. What was done to my @LovedeshScout was horrendous pic.twitter.com/bFT0HrGysp

— Yasmin A. Choudhury FRSA (@yasminisyasmin) September 21, 2021

Silence.

I think I now know why. Love Productions have been busy in negotiations. They continue to greedily line their own pockets. They just signed an extension. And I am very very upset. With the ascendency of this racist and classist white media firm.

I want to make it clear that I will not tolerate any form of abuse, malice or harassment on any of the individuals I am complaining about. And anyone seeking or purporting to do so on my behalf, or the Victims of Rana Plaza is will not be tolerated by us.

I will do everything in my power to protect and to ask that we find a civilised and compassionate way forward.

This can be resolved with love and kindness. And the sole purpose of going public, is because I’m quite frankly exhausted at how unethical our society is. I don’t think if I wrote to these organisations they would actually give the proper respect that is due. Given that they never gave it before..

And that maybe, just maybe, by sharing, the business sector will begin to race towards upholding highest standards of integrity and ethics. As it is clear from this experience I’m about to share, many have lost their way and I know this much, humans and never born horrid. Society shapes them – it is all socially constructed.

COMPLAINT

I am submitting a shocking and distressing experience.

I possess evidence that Ms Nadiya Hussain, her agent Anne Kibel Management & the makers of Great British Bake Off’s production company Love Productions, do not protect people and planet.

In fact, they are doing the opposite, they are harming people and planet. And it is my sincere belief that they have “stolen” and at the very least infringed the moral rights of work. As some have put it.

And that they have shown disregard for basic dignity and human rights. Regarding some of the poorest communities, who themselves are at most risk from climate change.

This complaint is also submitted on behalf of the Lovedesh Rana Plaza Victims Group and the rural villagers of Bangladesh, at least four who have since died. Who are not alive to bring their complaint.

First – here is a link to a home made video I did, to explain who and what Rana Plaza is about. Their story.

Please be warned that the short film mentions deaths of garment workers as well as visuals.

9-07 Ordinary Voices June 27 2013 FINAL from Yasmin Choudhury on Vimeo.

This is a private video that was created in 2014, under fair use condition by Lovedesh founder Yasmin Choudhury, in the immediate aftermath, of the horrific Rana Plaza factory collapse.

In which 1,136 garment workers died. Some were as young as 13, whose bodies have never even been found to this day.

The film not only help educate herself, but also to inform the work that Lovedesh has been doing in order to protect people and planet.

And has also created a Lovedesh Rana Plaza Victims Group, in which survivors, and relatives of the dead are often sponsored, given grants and being in powered in order to reclaim their voice. From privileged fashion campaigners, often white women, who have used the trauma tragedy and tea is to create fashion campaigns and fashion campaigning organisations, which often raising donations without involving the victims themselves.

LOVEDESH RANA PLAZA VICTIMS GROUP MANDATE

Next, here is the mandate given to me, to take whatever and any legal or complaint procedure I choose. To progress the work of Lovedesh. As there are about 30 victims who have joined this group.

Summary of Complaint

Lovedesh is resurrecting a historical complaint it issued to all three parties back in 2016. That relates to a BBC1 cooking documentary that was aired. Called BBC1’s “Chronicle Of Nadiya“. For which no resolution, no apology was provided.

I possess evidence relating to the infringement of copyright, disrespect and disregard to human rights and work that was done by me and Lovedesh for charitable purposes – by GBBO Creators Love Production, Ms Hussain and her British agent Anne Kibel of AK Management.

Put simply – these three infringed the moral rights to my original work and copied content from my website and then used it all, to platform and promote Miss Nadiya Hussain. In a way that I feel is false. And has misled the public. And denied income to the very poorest.

In doing so, it also failed to credit and erased my name, my work and that of the cohort of destitute rural village women and men in Bangladesh, that had been training and teaching me heritage cooking skills. So that I could promote and platform an innovative new way to showcase Bangladesh as a wonderful destination.

And the reason why it is so serious is this.

Many of the villagers have since died. While many are now sick and ill.

I hope you will now see why it’s so serious. Because no amount of money or compensation will ever wipe my distressed tears as well as those shed by those, who will not be alive today, in joining me to see recognition of their efforts made, after I mentored them on projects I created to help protect people and planet.

I also submit a new complaint as well, in 2021.

Given “Fast Flavours” Ms Hussain’s new cookery programme is being aired. And why Wall to Wall are copied in as they are the Production Company. Again, similar to a concept where I have been known never to follow recipes, and instead create twists to dishes.

And I’m due to go public about it all.

LOVEDESH 10+ FILES #JusticeForYasmin

I am now coming forward to talk about some of the horrors that we have endured. At the hands of many.

And how Lovedesh, the world’s first ethical luxury brand, has been attacked, destroyed and erased. Not just by those who are supposed to love and care for me. But by those who claim to be caring for people and planet.And the scale and breath and magnitude of the shit a ray of unethical conduct, and sheer disrespect towards the poorest people in Bangladesh and UK, I have been trying t support, that I have experienced in my time as CEO of Lovedesh, has to be published.

As it is in the public interest for society to learn, how we, who work at the grassroots, and do not chase profit – are treated.

I’m due to upload all chapters of my personal memoir is called Lovedesh 10+ files, the highs and horrors of trying to do good. Of the journey that I’ve had to endure, and how I’ve been left with a invisible disability, due to the trauma of it all. These will be video blogs probably on YouTube, and you to be unveiled in the approach to the International Day of Eliminating Violence Against Women And Girls, which is occurring on the 25th November, 2021.

As well as the launch of #BizMeToo. The problems and solutions of how female professionals, business owners, entrepreneurs and students are having their careers destroyed due to domestic and sexual violence.

While there is no relation whatsoever with regard to domestic violence or any sexual impropriety with regard to my complaint about the three parties, the fact that I had to handle my dispute with them, while simultaneously being a survivor, has forced me to come forward and share my story.

This particular post is in relation to the British celebrity baker Ms Nadiya Hussain and those who represent her.

AK Management and Love Productions.

More names are coming. It seems that everyone is busy plundering people and planet, while publicly proclaiming protection of people and planet. A quick look at Lovedesh Hall of Horrors will explain who has been involved in attempting to hurt our work in creating solutions that address better human rights and climate change. The extent is breath taking and has happened because I am self funded. And alone. And am a woc.

You are welcome to also read the post that I’ve just done about Barclays Bank. Who have dumped Lovedesh without a bank account in the run up to and during COP26. The United Nations global climate change conference. Yet somehow Barclays has managed to turn a blind eye to their recently resigned CEO Jes Stayler, who when convicted sex offender and predator Jeffrey Epstein in 2008 was in jail, continued to provide banking services.

It seems with banks such as JP Morgan and Barclays, a client can hurt people and they can still get banking. But when small not for profits like us protect people and planet as Lovedesh does – we get booted out. We have no bank account and our entire Christmas catalogue to help sustain our business, is in ruins.

I want big business and those with power and flat form to understand that when they are busy trampoline or hurting small business owners, we do not have the resources all the stamina. And that often, there are many other things going on in the background, which together, can cause severe harm and injury.

And by telling my story, hopefully all of you and the rest of the world, will start to understand and to ascertain who are the genuine and sincere stewards, who have shown evidence of voluntarily protecting people and planet.

And why we need protection ourselves. As I’m just so tired, so heartbroken.

Hence.

I am now writing formally to ask:

Please suspend working with this talent and withdraw all and any programmes “Fast Flavours”, “GBBO The Final” and all content created by Love PRODUCTIONS.

Until they help put right the wrong done to me and Lovedesh communities we work with.

Out of respect for those who died.

I am also now registered disabled – due to the man made trauma inflicted on me.

So bear with me for any spelling mistakes. And I reserve the right to clarify any confusion that may arise in this post – and suggest any such questions be asked of me.

Yasmin Choudhury

CEO OF LOVEDESH

________________________________________________________

THE EMAIL CHAIN

_______________________________________

THE FIRST GBBO LOVE PRODUCTIONS EMAIL

17 Feb 201613:10 GMT

Dear Yasmin and Team at Lovedesh,

I hope this email finds you well and you don’t mind me getting in touch.

I’m a producer at a TV Production company called Love Productions (www.loveproductions.co.uk). I have just started work on a new 2 part food-based series for BBC One which will be filmed in Bangladesh. I came across your amazing website and details online and would be really grateful to talk to someone about what we’re making.

My details are below and I hope to perhaps hear,

With very best wishes,

Charlotte

__________________________

THE CALL

In our first call, Charlotte informed me breathlessly they were making a programme in Bangladesh. She refused to divulge the name, but told me that a “celebrity” had been asked to revisit her heritage nation.

And that she would be exploring the cooking. And “all the amazing things you and Lovedesh have been doing”

I immediately guessed it was to be fronted by Nadiya Hussain. I asked her if I was correct. Charlotte told me she was not at liberty to say so. And that it was just very early days. And she refused to confirm this.

I was immediately irked to hear Nadiya had not even visited Bangladesh.

I am known to be a lone voice – often found to be talking about “brown privilege” – often what I call “passport privilege”. And how “Desis” – those living in our heritage nations in South Asia, are treated. Double triple whammy – not just by racist whites and structurally whites – but by those in the global diaspora. And then of course by the rich in Bangladesh – and so on and on.

They simply are treated as serfs.

I recall telling Charlotte that I found it rather disappointing, that a newly made celebrity, had to be paid, and given a red carpet rolled out, in order for her to spend time with Bangladeshis. For her to be seen cooking traditional dishes – all that I did – with a budget – something I had no access to was a dream. But that I accepted how media world works – and that of course I welcomed it.

She sounded a bit uncomfortable. But she carried on gushing and gushing.

Charlotte was adamant she wanted to meet me. That I must come into their offices. She spoke at length about my Lovedesh website – and all my detailed cooking, travel concept and itineraries and more. She had trawled all over it and want to discuss all my ideas.

I felt my skin crawling, as this white female producer was talking to me.

I found her extremely dodgy. The sheer entitlement.

She was attempting to flatter me but was struggling with me – as she could feel she was not getting anywhere.

But I maintained a polite conversation. I quizzed her.

I repeatedly asked her what was the purpose. And recall getting more and more frustrated

Charlotte soon began to stumble and continued gushing and just telling me how wonderful it would be, if I was to have a meeting with them. As she had seen all my work and thought it would be “valuable”.

I remarked to her “valuable to who though?”.

She continued to urge me: “You must must come in”.

I refused to attend a meeting at their offices. There and then. She wanted me to come in, even the next day.

I recall laughing saying that I had plans. I simply could not believe the audacity. I then remarked how rich her organisation was. And that clearly, as they had a budget, how much would be made available to Lovedesh and what would be our exact role?

I said they have to pay me for my time. And my villagers. Or at the very least involve me or involve and feature my rural villagers. With Nadiya meeting them.

I told her that I could not have my thought leadership mined – unless there was significant role and financial aspect to it. That we were a not-for-profit and to remember that as much as the media shows a window on the world, and it helps to give a warm fuzzy feeling to audience, the real backbreaking work is going on behind the scenes and in the grassroots and all of this needed funding.

I even offered to assist with the production. She said no they had their own people.

I continued and kept asking “but then why do you need me?”

The reality is they had stolen my ideas and the cheek of it, they expected me to go in for free and help them.

In 2016, now you know my earlier story – after having almost bled, sweated and toiled for Lovedesh, as a single mother and survivor of domestic violence including my teenage daughter and having been made homeless, for the work that I was doing, I refused to be GBBO creator’s dumb “brown ally”.

I told her I would think about it. She then suggested that yes it would be best if she went away and thought about it. And that I also think about it.

I asked her to email me. And to clarify more info. And to send me slots.

Back to Charlotte. I knew as I left – the phone. Her tone was dismissive. I could tell she was turned off. She seem dissatisfied.

i got worried so I wrote in.

____________

8 March 2016

Hi Charlotte

Yasmin Choudhury from Lovedesh here.

We spoke on Friday 19 Feb for over an hour I think. After you had sent me the email below and had contacted me asking I contact you. You asked me to spend time thinking about our phone chat and that you would do the same. But I then never heard back from you.

I am dropping an email to share my thoughts, having listened to you and your plans over the phone to me, to produce a 2 part BBC1 film about Bangladesh involving a UK ‘celeb’ of Sylheti heritage – who you tell me has not been to Bangladesh and is reconnecting with her heritage decades later. And who will be exploring Bangladesh and food and ‘attempting to show another side to Bangladesh’.

My wild guess is this is Ms Nadia Jamir Hussain from GBBO…? I very much admire her as she seems a lovely lady. Apologies if I am wrong.

I thank you for inviting me out of the blue, to come and have a 30 minute chat with you. But I recall declining as I informed you I was not clear on the merit of me attending back then.

Here is why.

I recall stating at the outset I find it hard and disappointing to deal with quite a few programme makers now, who call me up to tap me for ideas or for my time on Bangladesh without any credit. acknowledgment or financial recompense which you said you understood.

Yet I was still being asked in by you to meet you. My guess is perhaps to discuss and approve your ideas? All at no benefit to me or Lovedesh, which I think is and would be very unfair. As when I asked if there would be a fee – you said all budget had been committed. There was no mention of perhaps even using me as an expert consultant on Bangladesh – given my endorsed media profile as a travel expert which is recognised by Conde Naste Traveller.

Therefore am still confused why I would come in for a meeting?

What I took away from our phone call was total uncertainty as to why your production company sought to connect with Lovedesh – especially on the eve of an imminent reckie trip to Bangladesh. You told me you and your team were aware of Lovedesh, its website (which openly shares a lot of the country’s secret food travel and design attractions and has published an itinerary which is original content as well as YouTube videos). Especially the wood fired curry which I have introduced to the UK and which is trademarked in the UK by the Intellectual Property Office. Which I, as a social entrepreneur and activist, have unearthed alone for the past 4 years to help deliver good. And have slowly brought to the attention of the UK public as well as secret attractions and food recipes of Bangladesh.

I explained repeatedly Lovedesh is a not a commercial profit hungry entity. It is a social enterprise. That I have been exploring and unearthing Bangladesh for over 4 years. All of the projects I have undertaken have been out of my own pocket to serve the people in Bangladesh – hence why the future of this programme stance is of great interest and concern to me. As I will be seeking to assert my legal moral rights – which fall under common law. I must and will do all I can to protect and represent the interests of the food travel and design artisans, who are seeking to build a long term sustainable career via Lovedesh. After having offered you the opportunity to work with me/Lovedesh on content I produce, am highly worried that later, once your programme is aired – it might be construed as mirroring the work we do – which could cause complexities. Good news is all this can be easily avoided at this stage.

On the call you repeatedly explained there was no potential for me (even in a personal capacity it seems) or for Lovedesh to get involved. You also told me all the fixers/local team were all arranged. That there was no ‘room for manoeuvre’. I recall suggesting that from the BBC viewer’s point of view, it would be good and fair and in your editorial interests to show on screen your celeb being shown some of the work I had been doing with rural villages and artisans. But again, you said no. As you told me the agenda is now fixed. You cited BBC guidelines as a barrier to having the ‘brand Lovedesh’ involved (at which point I mentioned there was no need to even mention Lovedesh if need be) – yet I have since checked other programmes and if there is an editorial rationale for name checking original ideas/content- then this can be allowed. After all has BBC never interviewed individual founders as part of their documentaries? However while you did suggest I should come in for a chat and see ‘how it plays out’ – it was too tenuous and vague hence why I had to decline as my schedule is very busy at short notice. What worries me highly is that you said to me in the call your programme is keen to show how ‘Bangladesh can be a tourist destination and is misunderstood’. Well – that is the single mission my work is about. All of which is detailed on my website. it is why I and Lovedesh are award winning. And why in January 2016, I won Entrepreneur of the Year award at the national British Muslim Awards – all of which is in the public domain – as well as again, Conde Naste Traveller magazine who have published and named me expert for ‘unusual destinations’ and who talk about my work in Bangladesh. So I am recognised publically for this very mission which perhaps seems to be your editorial angle? It is why for me to hear how this may now be the same angle presented by your celeb – is of great interest to me. And why I seek urgent dialogue to solve this.

To conclude. It seems to me there was little scope from the outset of our call for me to have any input/contribution for this programme – even when I suggested I would be happy to be chat with your celeb on screen about why my idea of showing another side to Bangladesh by proactively promoting its food, design and travel to the UK – was important to the world and would help the destitute.

Having spoken to my business mentors and corporate legal advisors, all of whom give me free pro bono advice (because they see merit in my vision to change and disrupt global development) – we are now keen to discuss and see the editorial stance of your programme. As all the original content and work Lovedesh has been doing is critical to the well being and future prospects of my artisans. They have also advised me copyright of ideas does not need to be trademarked as the very fact it is on my website and public is deemed sufficient as ‘moral rights’. And why I now seek to protect this.

Therefore, I would again urge and suggest you review your programme to see if there is a way to work this out? To see if there is any merit to you being inclusive of my work or even giving credit of some sort – so that editorially the viewers of the BBC programme are made aware that the idea of unearthing secrets of Bangladesh – be it food, design and travel was in fact an original idea created by me. As without this – then the idea that your celebrity goes to Bangladesh – to present the very same food, (possibly even talk about the travel and design secrets too) that is in fact already published by me and Lovedesh and is pre-existing content and widely published and publicised by the media and already out in the public domain/social media – would be worrying for me. As well as perhaps editorially unfair – as I think it could be argued by some it misleads the BBC and the viewing public? In fact right now it is already worrying me. And therefore my team and I would then move towards checking and reviewing via the BBC their editorial guidelines on original documentary programme content and what exact namecheck or editorial reference/input correctly needs to be given to folks like us out in the field, whose original ideas/content production companies mirror to present in their TV programme.

If we can perhaps meet to discuss this further? As my key objective is to do and get this right for the BBC, the viewers and of course the people of Bangladesh. Which am sure is a key objective critical to you too.

And if it is Ms Nadiya Hussain who presents this programme – I think that she as a fellow Sylheti British Bangladeshi would be 100% equally supportive of ensuring recognition for the work that has been done by another fellow British mother out in Bangladesh (I am a single mother and am proud to do all this without a husband or support of any of my community or family -as the changes I am seeking to make are controversial as it seeks to disrupt the global development sector as well as the role of British Bangladesh Muslim women in society). I talk much of female empowerment and write about it too for the Independent and LSE. So not to have any reference in your programme of the work already being done for Bangladesh through food ideas of mine, would make the long term supporters of Lovedesh very sad – as we have been walking on this slow, hard journey for a long time. Moreover, it would disappoint me to find out Nadiya (or whoever this celeb is), was led to making this programme without being informed at all of me or of my original work being done out in Bangladesh for her fellow countryfolk via Lovedesh and Amcariza Foundation.

Finally. You wanted my thoughts – I would further be so very disappointed to see that we did not resolve this. And that despite this email, your programme went ahead to cover content similar to my work – that exists on the Lovedesh website with perhaps no reference/credit.

Sorry for this long email – but it is critical you understand the stance I am taking on this matter.

I look forward to hearing from you and resolving this. And I am available for face to face meeting this week and next.

Regards

Yasmin

______

Sent: 15 March 2016 12:11
To: Charlotte Armstrong
Subject: Fwd: BBC One Programme

Hi Charlotte

I have had no reply to my email below dated 8 March. Nor any phone call. As you can imagine, the editorial programme is of great interest to Lovedesh and the projects we are running.

Can you get in touch in the next few days? Otherwise perhaps it is best I contact Richard McKerrow or Anna Beattie – for a response? Am keen to get an official response from Love Productions asap. Moreover please confirm your celebrity? As if she is Nadiya Jamir Hussain, we will be keen to speak to her agent Anne Kibel, to ensure she and Nadiya are made aware of Lovedesh work and projects in Bangladesh.

I am keen to discuss this matter and resolve it. I think it is in Love Productions interest to do so.

Thanks

Yasmin Choudhury

________________________________________

Hi Yasmin,

Terribly sorry you think I didn’t reply. However, I did respond on 8^th March, perhaps it went into your Junk? I will forward you the email again now.

Thank you for your interest and correspondence, but as I said in my last email, sorry we were not able to make working together a possibility on this occasion.

Kind regards,

Charlotte

_________
Charlotte sent me email I missed getting

From: Charlotte Armstrong

Sent: 08 March 2016 10:53
To: Hello LD
Subject: Re: BBC One Programme

Hi Yasmin,

Thanks for your email. Sorry we couldn’t make it work.

Very best wishes,

Charlotte

_____________________________

15 March 2016 at 12:56:51 GMT

To: Charlotte Armstrong

Hi Charlotte

Thanks for this. However I think you have utterly chosen to ignore and misread the situation. This is not about simply working together.

This is about your chosen editorial angle and admission on having seen content on Lovedesh website – which your team have had clear access to. And the blatant refusal now (if I may say so) – not to address the serious concerns I have over this BBC programme in my email below. Which refuses to acknowledge the field work already done by Lovedesh – and ask why you even called us in the first place?

To conclude -I don’t support the making of this programme in this manner. To be dismissed of the work already being done by Lovedesh in Bangladesh is unfair and may be deemed editorially inaccurate.

Therefore for this purpose – I am now seeking to take steps to ensure Lovedesh works and moral rights are not affected. This includes raising an official complaint to the BBC and with your senior management. I did not like the premise or the manner in which you called me – as it was very vague and seemed to be fishing. I speak as as I find. And am pretty shocked actually as to how one of the UK’s leading production companies can rail road over content producers like ourselves.

Let us leave it there Charlotte – this is most disappointing – the manner in which you have dismissed my deep concerns.

Regards

LOVEDESH

_________________

I even called the BBC which is a nightmare to get through to you. And I left a message on the voicemail of a personal assistant responsible for the commissioning of factual programs. I got not reply.

Next I attempted to reach Anne Kibel. Agent to Ms Hussain.

_________________________

15 March 2016 – 13:23

Hi Anne

Private & Confidential

I am Yasmin Choudhury. Founder of Lovedesh – a British startup brand designed to champion the “Third World’ – especially Bangladesh.

I believe you represent Nadiya Jamir Hussain? If so, can you please confirm if Nadia has been contracted to Love Productions via BBC for a 2 part episode on Bangladesh?

If so, I want you to know I was pro-actively contacted by Charlotte Armstrong from Love Productions several weeks ago.

Charlotte called me and told me a programme BBC on Bangladesh is being made – but did not reveal the name of the presenter. I then guessed it might be Nadiya (I could be wrong) and despite asking Charlotte to reveal the name of the presenter – she did not answer. It is important you contact me – as if it is Nadiya who is involved – you may need to be aware that there is an issue brewing my end with the Love Production editorial angle and the making of this programme. As it could affect Lovedesh’s moral rights – as my brand is also award winning and for the work done – I received title ‘entrepreneur of the year’ at the 2016 British Muslim Awards.

As a British Bangladesh mother myself – I do much work already out in Bangladesh. All content is on my Lovedesh website designed to help the world explore Bangladesh and promote its image. And it seems Love Production have been poring over my content. This is where the issue lies. I will explain more if we speak as to why.

Social entrepreneurs like me, passionately work to protect artisans and villagers – so I will be seeking to engage all parties related to this BBC programme the outset. Perhaps you can to call and discuss this? As Lovedesh Productions (sic) have now taken the stance to go silent and chosen not to address the concerns I have raised regarding our moral rights. And I want to potentially avoid any embarrassing public spat that may end up dragging in the presenter of this programme.

If it is not Nadiya – then am very sorry to have disturbed.

Thank you

Yasmin Choudhury, Founder

___________________________

I THEN GET THE FIRST OF LEGAL B – TO CONTACT ME.

_________________________________________

EMAIL FROM RUPERT FRISBY.

LOVE PRODUCTIONS DIRECTOR OF LEGAL & COMMERCIAL AFFAIRS

(Note how Rupert Frisby attempts to gag me. My message to him today is this – if he has the courage to come and sue me. As my defence will be it is in the public interest. I have every right to publish emails that attempt to hurt and infringe not only my moral rights but also the work being done to protect people and planet).

17 March 2016 12:04

PRIVATE AND CONFIDENTIAL

NOT FOR PUBLICATION

Dear Yasmin,

Your correspondence with Charlotte Armstrong has been passed to me for a response.

The purpose of Charlotte’s call was to gather some background information from someone who is clearly an expert on Bangladesh, ahead of our production team’s trip to recce locations for our forthcoming programme. We are very concerned that in doing so, we have caused you offence or contributed to any misunderstanding between us – that was very far from our intention.

It seems that it is not the first time you have been approached by programme makers, so you will be aware that calls of this nature are not uncommon whilst producers are in the course of developing programme themes ahead of filming. As you have pointed out, Charlotte did make it clear to you during the course of the conversation that we would not be able to engage you on the Programme or feature you or Lovedesh’s work within it. I hope that you accept that we were not under any obligation to do so, just as you were not under any obligation to assist us with the Programme or continue the conversation – and I believe you have since chosen not to.

With regards to intellectual property rights, this is an issue that we as programme makers take very seriously. We note the assertion of your moral rights and your trademark in Wood Fired Curry. We also have the utmost respect for your work in promoting Bangladesh and that part of your work you have chosen to put into the public domain. Please be assured we have no intention of exploiting any of your intellectual property in our documentary – we will take good care in making this programme, as we always do, to ensure that no-one’s rights are infringed. I would like to point out however that it is highly doubtful, as a matter of law, that you would be able claim exclusive rights over some of the themes or ideas you mention in your letter, such as ‘unearthing the secrets of Bangladesh’ or ‘Bangladesh as a tourist destination’.

I hope nevertheless that this letter helps to allay your concerns.

Yours sincerely,

Rupert Frisby

Director of Legal & Commercial Affairs

______________

I was very worried.

No reply. So I chased up. Via Twitter. I tweeted Ms Kibel

_________________

EMAIL FROM MS NADIYA HUSSAIN’S AGENT

23 March 2016

Hi Yasmin

Thanks for your email and I have just seen your tweet too.

I have discussed with Love and they will be responding to you in due course, if they have not done already.

Warm regards

Anne

______________________

Alarm bells rang. I then sent emails – pleading and sharing personal info.

The email also explained the extremely personal information and the horrors and trauma of being by myself, a woman of colour, a single mother. Asking them not to erase my work. And asking she and Ms Hussain simply help me.

I felt embarrassed – at having to share such personal information. But my father raised me to always think the best of people until they prove you otherwise. So I took a risk. And shared personal info.

________________

25 MARCH 2016 – 13:06

MY EMAIL TO THE SENIOR MANAGEMENT OF LOVE PRODUCTIONS

On 25 Mar 2016, at 13:06, Yasmin Choudhury wrote:

Dear Mr Frisby, Legal, Loved Productions,

CC: Richard McKerrow, Creative Director, Anna Beattie, Joint Creative Director, Charlotte Armstrong, Producer,

Happy Easter.

Thank you for your email below.

I did not sign an NDA, so to write to me with these words ‘not for publication’ is lost on me. I also note you opted to flag up to me that I would not be successful in court. I am not seeking to take this to court Sir. This is very simple. It is about your multi-million pound earning company, which I think is owned by Sky, doing the right thing by me and the impoverished artisan folks in Bangladesh, who I have been working with for many years.

Please put this right? This can be easily rectified. I suggest you do find a way of involving Lovedesh? By giving me and my artisans, who I work with, who are destitute and deserve recognition – rightful credit.

I suggest we have a meeting to perhaps help see if we can find a way forward? I offered this already to your producer Ms Charlotte Armstrong – as well as writing to Ms Anne Beattie your joint creative founder, (see email attachments below), both of whom did not reply. Instead I was forwarded to you in their legal department. And so I got the email below. When a call would have done?

Hence, I again attach the email trail I have exchanged with your producer Ms Armstrong and founder Ms Anna Beattie, in which my concerns over my moral rights and mirroring are laid out – again and again. Which Ms Armstrong chose to completely ignore and dismiss. Her short email simply said ‘sorry it did not work out’, which clearly was written to ignore and dismiss me.

Moreover it is inaccurate to say I declined a meeting. The email trail I attach shows I offered to meet Ms Armstrong, who initially seemed very eager to want to meet me. She left voicemail and email. I simply declined to meet her as it was too short notice, vague and I noted rushed as it seemed to coincide on the eve of her Reccie trip to Bangladesh. She then asked me on the phone, I think it over and that we connect again. I never heard back. Most alarming was she already told me there would be no benefit Love Productions wished to offer Lovedesh, despite her still seeking my time and after having explored my ideas via internet, my website and over our phone chat. This is not right. This was even after telling me how much she supported my ‘amazing’ philanthropic work regarding food and travel of Bangladesh.

I have been nothing but helpful, supportive and professional. I welcome this BBC programme. And will do all I can to support and help you. But I again express concern and disappointment to see how you are heading editorially. And how you and your presenter, stand to hurt and maim Lovedesh by trying to take credit for something that has already been done by us.

My late father died Sir in a horrific road accident in Bangladesh. Before he was able to complete his full vision to help destitute, poor rural people. And it is in his memory I do and did Lovedesh and the charity Amcariza. To continue his legacy. And to smash stigma of nations like Bangladesh by campaigning for LTTTW. For Love Productions to refuse to give credit or involve me and my artisans – despite claiming to care for Bangladesh and doing right by this nation and its people – is conflicting.

I am also a single mother, who had the moral courage to fly out alone over years to Bangladesh, to compile and undertake deep grassroots R&D. I collated content singel handedly, to help unearth its food, travel and design secrets out of my own pocket. And have been promoting Bangladesh as a tourist destination – with no financial benefit or incentive.

I am not motivated by profit. I am in business of making Lovedesh a success one day, simply to deliver more income and good for the people in Bangladesh and the ‘Third World’. I had no TV budget, no crew and often travelled alone, with my young daughter – often under great political upheaval, threat and risk to my own personal safety. I do not have a husband or family or community who backs or helps me, so the work I accomplished has been done so with my own gruelling blood, sweat and tears – as well that of my artisans. We are authentic and integrity led. So many good souls, volunteers and journalists in UK and Bangladesh are behind Lovedesh. This is why Lovedesh and I are award winning – as I am told my vision and work is unique, pioneering and its content of interest to the general public and media.

It might help explain why I keep urging you to do right by Lovedesh and all its artisans. It could even be argued that Love Productions, creator of The Great British Bake Off (GBBO), which champions ordinary everyday food and baking artisans in UK – are trampling over my everyday food artisans in Bangladesh, simply to create a TV ratings winner. You more than anyone should undertand this? Moreover it concerns me you intend to use a TV celebrity who I was informed, has hitherto had no interest in or has worked in Bangladesh. But now that s/he has been paid to do so and will fly out with a UK BBC TV crew but refused to work or credit Lovedesh. Can you not see how this might appear? For your presenter to promote Bangladesh food and destination, based on research compiled by a crew of perhaps white researchers at a UK indie TV company who scoured the web for ideas – who have admitted to exploring my innovative concept and content and seeking to mirror my work without credit, is unfair? And am sure your TV presenter, once s/he is made aware of our moral rights – would surely also support our right to be credited?

Next. I, as a social entrepreneur often debate in the public domain, how to avoid the authentic work being done at grassroots in developing world, from being exploited by some white staffed foreign companies. Especially where concept research for TV, film and photography is concerned. Can you see why I do take a stand? But I have every faith that Love Productions will prove to be of a different breed. That you will seek to assist and work with me to ensure ethical, moral editorial principles are not trampled over. That third party moral rights are respected and adhered to here. Plus, given you are commissioned to make a BBC documentary programme – the tax payers and the BBC Trust rules on editorial integrity are maintained at all times. I also note, from my research of this petition against C4 after your company also came in for criticism over making Benefits Street – and of how poverty struck people were portrayed. Please do the right thing?

If you choose to dismiss Lovedesh and my destitute artisans, then you will rightfully respect my need to explore other options open to us. As I must ensure I do/did all I can, to resolve this matter to the satisfaction of me and my artisans. I have also already informed Anne Kibel, agent of the lady whom I suspect is your presenter – Begum Nadiya Hussain, winner of GBBO 2015. So as far as I am concerned, all parties are now fully aware of my moral rights and my deep concerns on this BBC documentary programme on Bangladesh.

I look forward to resolving this swiftly. And am available to meet with you all, to help find a way forward, the week after next (week commencing 4 April 2016).

Kind regards

Yasmin Choudhury, Founder

____________

i never heard back. But this is the straw that broke the camels back. When I saw that Love Productions was in a dispute over concept copyright – the sheer hypocrisy. Is staggering.

_____________

14 SEPT 2016 – 21:19

FAO: Love Productions’ senior management

Good evening Mr Frisby, Ms Armstrong, Mr McKerrow and Ms Anna Beattie

CC – Anne Kibel, Agent to Nadiya Hussain

Re Infringement of Lovedesh’s Moral Rights

It is no surprise but I am just so disappointed to have read of your latest actions.

I have read media reports in Daily Telegraph and Guardian here and also here. Most interestingly of your alleged legal row the BBC over concept copyright.

I also note that Sue and Mel have issued a statement, commenting on the transfer of GBBO from BBC to C4: “We’re not going with the dough. We wish all the future bakers every success.” I applaud them.

Next, let us return to the row you have been having with BBC and how you accuse the BBC of ‘ ripping-off’ your GBBO concept. Your company’s hypocirsy is staggering. Interesting to me is how you chose to leap to protect what you deem are your intellectual property. Yet ignored my concerns and refused to even reply to my emails when i stated Lovedesh’s moral rights were being infringed.

Moreover it is so very sad and unethical to witness how white staffed production companies like yours, wilfully chose to rip off the Lovedesh concept, which I had specifically designed to help destitute Bangladesh citizens. Not one of you chose to call me or even reply to allay my concerns or even discuss ethics at stake here and the right thing to do – which was to rightfully credit or involve Lovedesh, which has been showcasing Bangladesh. All of which I have evidence – and which I certainly did not do nor have made any profit from.

And when I asked you all, perhaps if we can find ways of working together, you instead got your legal department (via the very patronising Rupert Frisby) involved, who wrote in his email to me ‘not for publication’. Perhaps he is ignorant that not all of us are ignorant on how the law works. He seems to think I signed an NDA as otherwise who writes such words? FYI – Certain legitimate topics concerning unethical or bad conduct can be debated openly ad social media has demonstrated time and time again – as it is in the public’s interest.

I would go even further to say that I suspect Love Productions simply created the show and Nadiya as a presenter – to make even more money for itself. And I know that all along, there really was never any intention to help the Bangladesh people out there because when offered the chance to do so, by me, each if you ran away from the table.

Next Steps

I will be taking this matter up and I will leave no stone unturned on this to resolve this matter the right and proper way. I also knew you had assumed that I had let this lie – not at all. From my own experience of meeting money orientated individuals, I knew if I waited long enough. ‘greedy’ companies like Love Productions would shoot itself in the foot, soon enough.

I want a response to my email below by the end of tomorrow Friday please. And I need you to put this matter right. It is now over to you to suggest ways forward. However I am also considering all other options.

And so I am very clear – I am not blaming Nadya Hussain at this stage. I suspect she is and might be a very innocent pawn in all this. It is why I now seek a formal reply from Anne Kibel her agent – as to whether she informed Nadya of the issues below as any good agent would.

I wish to speak with and contact Nadiya, as what little I know of her from media reports, she seems a lovely decent person. I am very sure Nadiya will be horrified to learn of what happened to me and my projects. And how shoddily we and my fellow Bangladeshis were trampled over and treated by Love Productions – just so Love Productions could air a programme and make money using Nadiya – who until this programme had never travelled out of her own interest in Bangladesh until I believe this programme she presents was developed for her. I also reiterate that I always welcomed the programme – there is enough room for us all but not at the expense of those, especially working in charity and desperate to help with poverty alleviation, who having laid the framework down for companies like you to make money from our ideas, find we are ignored and not even credited.

Incidentally – I am also heading to address a major industry sector conference later this year. My experience so far with your production company has escalated the need for debate to be had over production company concept copyright and how in m my opinion – the developing world is being ripped of and why media titles such as Broadcast need to lead that debate. Which I will try and encourage them to consider.

I may not have money but I will never stop standing up for developing world. Now- over to you. Let us see how you plan to put this right?

Anne

Please can you arrange for Nadya and I to have a conversation asap? As I now wish to know whether you informed Nadiya that Love Productions, the company you both chose to work with, was made aware they were infringing my moral rights. And how I would like to show her evidence that shows how I think Love Productions were disingenuous. And how in my opinion I do have reason to believe they have ripped me and my villagers and fellow Bangladeshis odd, especially as I am a lone working single mother’s following her dream concept for Bangladesh – all of which can be proved by the email trails and evidence I have between us.

I wish you all a great evening.

Yours sincerely

Yasmin Choudhury, Founder

______________

I get a reply from their external lawyer.

On 15 Sep 2016, at 20:21, Nigel Abbas wrote:

Dear Ms Choudhury

I am an external legal advisor that works with and advises Love Productions (‘Love’).

Love Productions has passed me your email of 14 September, together with some earlier correspondence between you and Love, and with Nadiya Hussein’s agent Anne Kibel.

Love has asked me to look into the matters which you raise, so that they can more fully understand why it is that you feel so aggrieved.

You make a number of serious accusations in your emails, but the bases for those accusations are unclear. Accordingly, I would be grateful if you could explain, in as much detail as you can, the following:

What is the basis for your assertion that the “programme concept” for Chronicles of Nadiya “ … is not original and was developed and inspired by Lovedesh”?

You refer to how “… how shoddily we and my fellow Bangladeshis were trampled over and treated by Love Productions”. What do you mean by this? In what way has Love treated you or other Bangladeshis shoddily? In what way have you or they been trampled over by Love? Who are those other Bangladeshis?

On what basis do you assert that Love has “ripped me, my villages and fellow Bangladeshis off”?

You also refer in correspondence to your “moral rights” having been infringed. Please explain exactly what you mean by this?

Once we have a clearer understanding of the bases for your concerns and complaints, we would hope to be in a position to fully respond.

Yours sincerely

Nigel Abbas, Founder

ABBAS Media Law

_________

My reply was

From: Yasmin Choudhury

Date: 16 September 2016 at 16:46:44 BST
To: Nigel Abbas
Subject: Re: Your complaint

Mr Abbas

Thanks for your email.

All info was sent in copious emails. To your client. Which you confirmed below you have. Yet am perplexed why I am being asked to provide more info?

The matter is simple. Your client ripped off my concept. Until Chronicles of Nadiya – only Lovedesh (led by me, a British Bangladesh woman), was promoting and showcasing Bangladesh food and travel to western audiences. For which it got awards and recognised heavily in UK and global media.

This is why I know my allegations have merit. Love know it too. Which is why they have hired you to handle me and all their other current litigation matters. Am flattered 🙂

I reiterate. Love Productions researched their programme for Nadiya and Bangladesh trip and concept, after admitting having seen content I had shared online via YouTube and my website. Saw all my itineraries. And videos I made with villagers. Including images and food recipes. They ripped this off. I wrote this too Love. At no point did they later deny this.

I clearly recall Charlotte, the producer called me out of the blue, for a face to face meeting. And told me of gbbo and that she knew of Lovedesh and gushed at how amazing and inspired they were by my projects. And informed me of their plans to go to Bangladesh on a reccie trip. And how keen she was to meet me. As I had done ‘pioneering work’ in her opinion.

I did not agree to meet Charlotte, as her request was such short notice (next working day); she sounded desperate and yet weirdly she also kept telling me that there was nothing she could do to feature Lovedesh or our villagers. So why did she want to meet me if they had no need to feature my work? I know how editorial programmes are made.

Alarm bells started to ring. Such is their arrogance, I suspect she thought I was and am small fry – and I would eagerly tug my forelock (as BBC/GBBO label gives them unfettered access to anything they want) – and give my blessing and agreement to their programme ripping my content off – without any objection. I told her via email pretty quickly, I objected.

I immediately raised concerns we should meet to discuss how they were mirroring my concept and using my online content to devise story ideas. I sought a friendly discussion, even offered to brainstorm potential ideas for perhaps future collaboration with no strings or expectations. That was how kind and jolly decent, reasonable a person I was being to them. But every one of the Love execs fell instantly silent. Ran away.

Love refused to even call me or consider discussing my concerns, despite me telling them over and over their programme concept was not original. And to ask they act fair, not to infringe on my moral rights and at least give credit or acknowledge the framework laid down by Lovedesh and the villagers I have been working with. They were offered chance to meet my wood fired curry villagers with Nadiya (without me) – they turned it down.

All this evidence is in all my emails to them. In my opinion, I find them to be very dodgy. Their conduct with me, is not how makers of a truly original programme would behave. And to see social media erupt and Mel and Sue refusing to transfer across confirms my suspicions.

Love trampled over my efforts and taking credit for an idea to showcase Bangladesh, through a woman – when in fact my idea was first, original and already out there in the public domain.

Love’s programme concept is a copy of and inspired by my work. Yes it is. Yet after Love execs went silent they referred me to their legal department instead. Who then insulted me further.

And so to then read in September 2016, media reports gone viral, of Love battling apparently, for their intellectually rights with the BBC, is breathtakingly arrogant and hypocritical. Laughable is what it is. Love need to be taken to task on this stance. And I think I am just the person to do that. It is wrong and unfair what they did to me and my villagers and folks I work with out in Bangladesh.

I will leave it there. As I have spent enough time writing. It is proving a complete waste of my time. I have other options open to me if this is not resolved quickly.

I did not need to write to them again. Yet I did. I also note I am not going to be getting a apology or reply from their senior management, which is disgraceful unprofessional conduct.

I also suspect this email from you is just delaying tactics. A common ruse used by legal firms if I may say so? I truly mean no offence.

I am just sickened and horrified at how greedy, western money making programme makers like Love, trample over sincere folks like us, trying to do serious grassroots work out in developing world and refuse to join us in at least giving back. They really think some of us are that stupid and clueless. Sadly for them I am ex private sector having worked in major FTSE companies and know how to write and stand my ground. I don’t need money or big law firms to battle bad. Right is right.

Incidentally. Clearly Love are perhaps very much in trouble anyway – if they have to hire you as well as having an in house legal team?

I await to see how you reply to my email. And FYI – I will also be seeking a reply from Nadiya Hussain.

Regards

Yasmin C.

_________

I then wrote to Ms Hussain again via Anne Kibel

I’d noted how there was a resignation by the original presenters Mel & Sue. And soon of course the departure of Mary Berry.

16 September 2016 – 16:51

Anne

Re Lovedesh moral rights

Please see below.

Please provide a reply on Nadiya’s behalf. And whether she is prepared to meet me informally? To discuss this.

As I note you remained silent. Despite being told my of concerns.

This is about doing the right thing.

Regards

Yasmin C.

___________________________________________________

From: Nigel Abbas
Date: 20 September 2016 at 19:58:08 BST
To: Yasmin Choudhury
Cc: Rupert Frisby
Subject: RE: Your complaint

Dear Ms Choudhury

Thank you for your email.

We will respond substantively this week.

Yours sincerely

Nigel Abbas, Founder

ABBAS Media Law

___________

I never heard back.

On 26 September 2016, this is what Ms Kibel wrote.

Ms Kibel instead informed me they supported Love Production’s course of action.

I surmised Ms Nadiya Hussain would not and did not help.

______________

26 September 2016 – 10.32am GMT

Dear Yasmin

Thanks for your recent emails about The Chronicles of Nadiya and apologies I haven’t had the chance to respond sooner.

I have seen your latest correspondence with Love Productions and their response sent to you on Friday.

I am writing to say that we fully support and agree with Love’s position in relation to this matter and accordingly we will not be commenting further.

Yours sincerely

Anne

___________________________

BACKGROUND TO LOVEDESH

We are a British mother and daughter design duo, who since 2008, have been working at the grassroots to develop sustainable food, fashion and travel. In Bangladesh.

My late father’s heritage is from Bangladesh. I was born, bred and educated in London.

I work for and on behalf of some of the poorest communities in Bangladesh.

Like Ms Shirley Chisholm, in her own words, I choose to remain “Unbossed & Unbought”. She was the first black woman to ever be elected to US Congress and the first woman to ever run for President. And upon stumbling across her, a few days ago, I found the moral courage to sit down and write this post.

About what life looks like in 2021 – when you choose to be “Unbossed & Unbought”.

I am the first British entrepreneur and British born Bangladeshi to undertake the scale and magnitude of work in the International Development sector. By deploying sustainable heritage food, fashion and travel experiences, I have been creating a hybrid business model that will boost income and provide new jobs. As a template that can then be spread and used around the world.

All of it is done on a shoestring, against all the odds. And instead I am finding that the more attempts I make to ensure and defend it, the more problems escalate. As it seems to me that those in the higher echelons of society, I have no desire no interest in protecting people and planet. I know because I’m about to show evidence.

I am an ordinary woman and find myself compelled into telling his extraordinary story, of me and my daughter aged seven by my side, in creating the world’s kindest T-shirt and the worlds kindest fabric. Which I hope will be unleashed.

My daughter was seven when she first began to join my work on finding solutions on climate change and humanitarian projects. Together, we embarked on a journey to explore the root causes of poverty both in my heritage nation of Bangladesh as well as in coastal towns of United Kingdom. In particular, Cornwall and Lowestoft, East of England.

Despite me being a broke single mother. And a survivor of domestic violence and sexual assault. Lovedesh was created by me, in order to solve some of the biggest problems facing the world today. Our projects now address global poverty, climate change and much more.

And it is the only organisation in the world endorsed by victims of Rana Plaza, garment workers and rural villagers, disabled Rickshaw drivers, cooks, rural villagers and more.

All our work is here.

Home

Here some films of just some of our pioneering work – world first’s.

https://vimeo.com/yasminc

I take no investments. It is utterly self funded. With the odd minor grant.

________________________________________

HISTORY OF DISPUTE

In 2015, during the making of BBC1’s Chronicle Of Nadiya, Love Productions, the Producers of this programme having trampled over my original work, even refused to pay fees nor credit the work that they stole from Lovedesh. They refused to feature and honour the rural villagers of Bangladesh. Who I collaborated with. And II believe Ms Nadiya Hussain is aware of it all – as I sent all my complaints all to her agent.

I possess all the emails.

Whether her agent passed it all on to her I do not know – but I have chosen to assume yes. As to not do so, is to violate the code of conduct as an agent.

I also publicly call on Ms Nadiya Hussain to show me evidence she did not know. If she can do this – than I am more than happy to learn more. And to work together with her to find a resolution.

For now. It is a reasonable for me to have concluded that all three of them did this, knowing the facts. And are aware all the work I do, designed to help mentor, train and support some of the world’s poorest communities. Evidence relating to all this is in the public domain. A quick google search will suffice. Plus we have won awards. Since 2013.

Ms Hussain claims to care for village life in Sylhet, Bangladesh. This is pertinent to this complaint because filming the BBC1’s Chronicles of Nadiya, I am told – showcases heritage cooking styles featured. I am sorry I have never watched it. If I did – it would make me fell ill – for reasons I hope will be made clear in this post.

At first, I couldn’t believe that Ms Hussain would ever accept that her own fellow Muslim, a WOC, a mother could be so mistreated. And that she would at least want to listen to my evidence and complaint.

So I reached out to her agent Anne Kibel.

Love Production had even got lawyers on me, (always a sign to me of wrongdoing). I felt it was an attempt to intimidate me, a small creator.

I recall Love Production’s Legal expert Rupert Frisby had sent a nonsensical email. In which he attempted to assert that they had done nothing wrong. But he and all of them knew exactly what they were doing.

The arrogance and hubris as well as the structural racism, that all three parties were complicit in, was and is to this day, shocking for me. The wilful erasure of me, a woc of colour’s work, as well as the rights of the rural village men and women in Bangladesh appeared not to matter to them at all. Not one jot.

They all knew I was all alone. A single mother. And that my heritage is from the same region in Bangladesh as Ms Hussain’s.

After I got their lawyer’s letter, I felt threatened and intimidated. In 2016 I was also very powerless. They too must have figured it out.

A quick YouTube Search will show that I was in dispute with my own immediate blood family.

And unlike Ms Hussain, I do not have a husband nor a loving family.

And the background to this is relevant, as it will show the sheer horror I have had to endure. At the hands of not only my own, but also to have to handle many more such as the three parties I am complaining about in this post. And a host of many others.

I’m sorry for the long post. But it is what it is. And the context behind such a shocking revelation, deserves to be understood. In order to understand the enormity and scale of why there is merit to ensuring that the parties I’m complaining about are suspended.

In order to help protect people and planet.

IN DEPTH DETAILS OF THE DISPUTE

Here is how I ended up possessing long standing evidence that Ms Hussain and GBBO creator Love Productions and AK Management. And of how Love Productions (the original culprits), first infringed my moral rights back in 2016. And the were supported and endorsed by Ms Hussain and AK Management to do so.

At first. Like many of you, and I’m sure millions of others. I was so extremely happy to see her winning in 2015.

I was so proud. So happy for her.

And given that I myself, had lacked confidence as a women in my 20s and lacked access to opportunities, I recall celebrating her win.

I even tweeted about her. To my followers. In 2015. Her family look lovely.

Hello Cover Featuring Ms Nadiya Hussain & Her Lovely Family.

I didn’t get a reply and I wasn’t expecting one. I was just happy. That’s the nature of Twitter.

But this feeling quickly changed.

After I was contacted by GBBO creators Love Production, about the programme Chronicles Of Nadiya, which was aired in 2016.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b07r272z

I had an extremely distressing experience at the hands of their Production team, who I felt proactively stalked and chased me. And I felt were disingenuous.

During the early development stage. Before a reccie trip. I got a call. From a Love Production producer called Charlotte Armstrong.

On Lovedesh’s Skype landline Phone number. She left a voice recording. Sadly after Skype was bought by Microsoft – I lost the clip.

I called her back. Left a message on voicemail.

I recall seeing non stop missed calls. To my handset.

I saw an email arrive.

It was clear to me, neither Ms Kibel nor Ms Hussain did not give a damn about us vulnerable women.

After which, I chose never to follow or have any admiration for Ms Hussain.

Her action was a huge betrayal. I was crushed and shook. I had no idea that such humans could exist. She looked so nice. So caring. She seemed so genuine.

I then carried on with my life.

In 2016, I had a young teenage daughter to care for.

And as I was already in crisis since 2014. I focused on surviving.

Aside from my family, many more came to hurt and damage Lovedesh over the years. From having my projects smashed to being bullied, ripped off, betrayed.

I had my moral rights and campaigns even stolen. I constantly faced structural classism and racism – a wilful refusal to allow me and the vulnerable communities I work for, to be included. And as I began to then focus my attentions in 2019 to resurrect a dream project to help the victims of Rana Plaza – I found the entire fashion campaigning sector to be unethical and not fit for purpose. And found my moral rights – yet again infringed by some of the biggest names.

Because put simply, Lovedesh is one of the greatest solutions but also greatest threats. A new world first hybrid business model. And should it ever succeed – will prove the business world can pivot towards protecting people and planet. And making profit.

Love Productions, AK Management and Ms Nadiya Hussain were not my priority. The other bigger fights – bigger monsters who were also simultaneously busy destroying Lovedesh too. Was my priority.

And so I walked away. In 2016.

I while I went on and lost many more my “battles”. So horrific. With many bad things happened to me and my daughter.

I also chose to build myself up back – so I could one day return and “win the war”.

I took help from charities and business mentors. They heard my story of how Lovedesh had been destroyed.

So many good souls have helped – none more so than our very own mentor. All round father and grandfather figure for me and Amber. An elderly white “male pale stale” business mentor whom I nickname call “Gandalf”. Whose 74th birthday is today. Who has been by my side since I was left homeless in 2015.

And many of whom are now recorded and entered into the Lovedesh Hall of Angels*. Most of the names have personally helped me and Amber protect people and planet. Without them we could not survive.

(In case anyone misunderstands why I, the CEO of an ethical luxury fashion brand has listed BGMEA – Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association – whom we have not had any contact with) are there. It is simply for helping to provide jobs – to the poorest. ANd to the Rana Plaza Victims. And many more. Because while we all in the Western Hemisphere seek sustainable solutions, we forget that the poorest in their millions need to be fed and be given jobs. And that job is being done by factory owners – whether we like them or not. As two of them have told me – they would love to pay workers more, but are forced to squeeze margins because of fast fashion retailers demands.)

Slowly. And slowly piece by piece I got my life back.

I would occasionally see Ms Hussain on front covers of magazines or see her trending on Twitter. One notable moment was when I saw clips of her cooking a cake with members of the Royal British family. All I could think was “that could have been my rural villagers”.

Every time I would see Ms Hussains’s fandom was growing – good souls who simply enjoyed her talents of being a cook, I would catch my breath and feel shook. Purely for the injustice of it all. Of having done the work only for white media execs to pass of concept pieces as their own.

I would recall the pain of what GBBO winner Ms Nadiya Hussain, her agent Anne Kibel and the creators of GBBO had done to Lovedesh and the Bangladeshi rural village women. Of their scant disregard. And the continued irony of having to be told Ms Hussain was on a journey of discovering her own empowerment. But I kept thinking – if that is so, why would she and her representatives show me something different?

I also have often wondered what Ms Hussain’s or GBBO’s most ardent fans would make, if I were to share the truth. And here I am – doing it and ask anyone of you reading “what do you make it of?”.

I have never once contacted Ms Hussain directly nor only any social media platform and chose to stay quiet for years. Until a few months ago – when I began discussing with my small and loyal following of my issues. And did a Tik Tok video

I suspect what they had really done, was taken my concept, got stuck, and nervous about how to make the trip work given they had stolen my ideas. They wanted me in, to hold Charlotte and her team’s hand. She had called me in, in an attempt to flatter me into coming in, to fix whatever problems they had been having. Without ever considering the fact that I would push back.

Without even thinking that I would push back or even understand infringement of moral rights. Because quite frankly, I think these type of media creatives are used to many talented brown and black people crowing around them and falling under the spell. So much so that they inadvertently give them whatever they need. So grateful to have access to a film company.

And why Lovedesh is working on to fund projects that will protect all small creators. From having their work stolen.

GBBO creators Love Productions also refused to accept or see me as an expert either. I was told by many in Bangladesh that I was the first British woman to showcase Bangladesh. The first to be flyng out there to do business. As a British born.

And of course the entire press angle was about how Ms Hussain was exploring her heritage. And to talk about its rich traditions and rituals. And instead, they platformed Ms Hussain, as being the one who thought of and is seen doing this, for Bangladesh.

Not true. It was all white media execs.

The public were mislead.

What they failed to mention is all of them were able to do so – by trampling all over me and rural villagers. And that it was not their idea – but one they stole from me – as all my entire content was about me exploring my heritage. And capturing the wonder of it all.

I think they thought, because it was GBBO, I would be flattered. I was not. I realised also that perhaps, they’ve never been pushed back before. And why she was shocked in the call. At my response – as I treat everyone the same.

They must’ve thought I was a stupid desperate ego tripping woman. Who is not clued up and would probably succumb to their their little ego trip tactic, in feeling so grateful, that a white production company, who had made a huge television, would be grateful for their attention.

I felt like telling them to “stop”.

They did not realise I was 46. A Gen X. A child of the 1970s. I grew up in horrific racism and have spent the first 12 years, of my life – being beaten. Called a “Paki” For my skin colour. At school.

After my experience in a the racist world of acting, and working for the Liberal Democrats, I began to spot disingenuous “breathy” white liberal women. And I can categorically say that these women have hurt me more than those racists who beat me up.

The worst are the ones who claim they really care. Will shout “Black Lives Matters”, cry over the tragedy of poverty in India, the British Raj, happily date black and brown men – but then when coming across empowered WOC – will slither away into silence. After having been found to trample over us.

Or break into tears when confronted. Because they know and we woc – know – they got found out. They are as racist as the racists – but the only difference is, they get angry when confronted.

Every idea and request, which I put in, insisting that Lovedesh in some way is credited, was rejected.

I recall suggesting that this would be a great opportunity, to showcase some of the sustainable fashion and food work. I was doing. With weavers and villagers I also told them in writing, that they need not even mention me or feature me but if they could just credit the work of at least the village women. As I am someone who has gone without access to funding and platform, I am used to it.

I suggested that the clever bright rural village women, could talk at length about their joy, in working with an organisation, that was helping to train and mentor and boost their skills. Who had a wicked sense of humour but also lack career confidence and that it was similar to Ms Hussain, I thought it was a perfect match, and that it would make charming screen moment. I said it would be great to have my cohort of rural villagers, with their wicked sense of humour, teaching Ms Hussain how to cook. To let them run the show for a bit – and to show how they were boss women.

But there was no interest. I don’t think they welcome the idea that rule village woman could be seen to be having greater screen presence, then perhaps the new “cash cow” they were choosing to invest in. And of course this is why, to date, we have never had international programs being fronted by such communities, because to do so would be giving me and them a seat at the table, and a chance to grab immediate profile and power.

Because very quickly, this white female producer surmised that I was talented, had undertaken huge work all alone, and perhaps may overshadow the program by bringing in big strong larger than life characters.

I was that perhaps they thought their investment in Nadiya Hussain would therefore be in danger. Is what one TV producer once told me. Although as the same person then explained, a good Producer would’ve seen the merit of banking two potential emerging talent. Of putting the show’s editorial remit first.

Can you imagine if they had said yes?

Can you imagine how many people Lovedesh could’ve rescued and how many more could’ve gotten jobs. And how much more incomes we could’ve boosted?

But of course I now see GBBO Love Productions was not created that way. They make quick and easy formats and in the past have been responsible for shaming poorest communities in the UK with awful programmes such as young teenage mothers. And many more.

Notice how the chose the image of this programme. Why are they showing a black man – it only serves to reinforce the false narrative that black men are bad fathers.

But worst of all of course, are the village women who have since died. Like Saya Bu. More about her and the women later. And all the ones poised to be helped by Lovedesh – listed in the Lovedesh Hall Of Happiness.

A profile of all the money past present and future individuals and organisations and courses that I and my daughter came especially about.

I also realised, Charlotte misled me. As she told me that there was no possibility whatsoever, of ever featuring or mentioning Lovedesh, given that BBC editorial guidelines did not allow this.

Top Gears reviews car brands. Cooking programmes feature products. And I found this link that states as follows.

https://www.bbc.com/editorialguidelines/guidelines/independence-from-external-interests/guidelines

Product Prominence

14.3.1 We need to be able to reflect the real world and this will involve referring to products and services in our output. A product can include references to organisations, to people, such as artists or performers, or to artistic works, such as films, books or musical tracks.

I note this individual Charlotte Armstrong has remained employed. It appears she has hidden her profile now. And why she is being coy of the fact she is employed by Love Productions – given we can guess it is that same company, she has been there for10 years. Is odd.

But I think that’s because after I tweeted them, she went into hiding.

As when I search her on Linked In – this is what I see.

They have also removed all photos.

Nor is she on Love Productions’ website anymore.

https://www.loveproductions.co.uk/people

I hope she is ok.

I did note she is speaking on the company’s behalf at this event in 2020. And should Miss Armstrong read this, we wish her no harm. But I hope she understands, and learns from this. And we invite her, and the rest of the senior management team at Love Productions, as well as Miss Hussain and AK Management to attend the Lovedesh Academy training workshops that I will be opening.

https://banffmediafestival.playbackonline.ca/2020/speakers/950232/charlottearmstrong/

I now want to move towards evidence of my expertise. And just some of the types of videos, I know they would’ve pored over. As not once did they ever deny it.

You see, I had started to go out to Bangladesh and had been taught by rural villagers since 2008. Learning Wood fired cooking. And more. Much more. And all of it came from my pocket, as a single working mother. He was raising her child all alone.

I would scrimp and save up. To got to Bangladesh for field research. Stay in horrid lodgings. And often having to endure such horror – all alone. As a business woman doing it all on her own. Which was unheard of in Bangladesh. As without a man, a woman is deemed as having no status. And morally loose.

In spite of all these slurs, I continue to do my work relentlessly. On and on, iCloud on, exploring the root causes of poverty and trying to find and create pioneering solutions.

Eg – I posted this video on 14 August 2013.

After I took it to the Mortimer Country Fair and more. And the video was uploaded 8 years ago.

A blog was written by Spice Scribe in May 2013.

Bashing and burning – A brilliant Bangladeshi cook-up

In 2014 I did the impossible. I managed to invite the Guardian Newspaper to visit and they published a massive centrefold piece on Bangladesh in the summer.

I had also begun to win awards. I hadn’t even launched my products. And invited to speak.

The media seemed so excited.

I recall going in to see The Sun travel editor – to persuade them to visit Bangladesh. I received interest from lovely actor Nigel Planer, who having seen the Guardian article, wanted to visit Bangladesh for the Mail on Sunday. And wanted me to escort him out there.

And by 2015, I had Kew Gardens, wanting to bring my curry to their spice festival in the summer.

There was so much love and respect for the work that I was doing. All of it, that showed a deep level of respect and understanding from good white people.

And slowly I began to get the people of Bangladesh behind me.

I did an event in Oxfordshire. In June 2014.

In 2014, I was able to take my sustainable cooking dishes to an event in Oxfordshire.

The local newspaper did a review. Here is an expert that shows the painstaking efforts I took, to replicate the true authentic version of a curry.

OXFORD MAIL June 2014

https://www.oxfordmail.co.uk/leisure/food/reviews/11332074.print/

It was reviewed. And on 10 July 2014, this was printed.

“Having herself rediscovered her family’s Asian roots, Yasmin is eager to promote a more optimistic view of poor countries and encourage us, for instance, to take holidays in them. The vehicle for her promotional spiel — performed here, most entertainingly, for the first time — is a cookery demonstration.

“The dish she produces is not, I’d imagine, one we would be likely to try ourselves at home, being a traditional Bangladeshi chicken curry, cooked slowly over wood. We watched the whole process from the lighting and fanning of the fire, through the grinding of the cumin, coriander seeds, cardamom and the like on a granite slab, to the careful cooking of the aromatic mixture in a pan suspended over the flames.”

I then set about helping to bring more people in Bangladesh, To back me.

Here is a link below captured by a national Bangladeshi TV station. May 2015.

I have reams and reams of videos.

Of me working with street food snacks stalls.

Often of my young daughter as well.

And that is why I am so angry, as they denied the opportunity, for my young child, who was a social entrepreneur from the age of seven, opportunity to be platformed. Or at least be credited along with all the other folks who deserved to be featured. Including some of the women here.

Here is my daughter. Present. In a chinwag with the rural folks. On 1 June 2014.

SAYA BU – RIP

The lady in a green sari, that you see using the iPad to play Talking Tom, has since died. It has been a few years now.

Her name was “Saya Bu”.

Saya Bu deserved better. From Ms Hussain, from Anne Kibel and from GBBO’s Love Productions.

I recall her crying and saying to me, all she ever wanted was her own house. As she didn’t want to live with her relatives anymore. She was feisty and funny. I had promise her, that if we manage it, I will try and build her little house, so that she could stay there, until the day she died.

And in return, she could perhaps guard over the fields of vegetables that have been converted from paddy fields. All of which were designed to boost the mental health of local villagers. Destitute and alone and in need of company. They loved it. She loved it.

And I recall her loping away with a big fat grin on her face. The next time I heard from her she was crying that she had a really bad toothache. I managed to sort it out. She was so happy. She had such a wicked sense of humour. I wish you could’ve gotten to meet her. ;(

She had helped look after my father and his family while she was a little girl. So when any of you are starting to feel uncomfortable, because I’ve managed to challenge your “golden goose”, I ask you to repeat after me.

As did this lady and many more.

I now want you to meet the mother of a girl called Mina. Sick and ill now. But such an expert cook.

At a very young age she was married off to a disabled man. And over the years she has struggled.

Then in December 2015, I was contacted to say that I’ve been nominated for the Entrepreneur Of The Year at the National British Muslim awards. And in January 2016, I went on to win it.

Hence, given that I share and write in length – to ask you stop the erasure of the work done by creators and thought leaders who are women of colour. I hope you can now see the correlation between my work and the content that is featured in BBC1’s Chronicles Of Nadiya.

I know they tell us to get used to it. And I don’t think I’ve minded in the past when my work has been copied but, given that we’re dealing with people who know about the work being done. The communities I’m trying to help, I think that’s where it really cuts to the bone.

I know I’m not the first.

And I will not be the last.

Unless something changes drastically. Which I hope it will. And as my story emerges, it is another reason why I am going public. In order to try and collect more horror stories within the white media sector. And to see if there can be a drastic change in how the work of small, underfunded creators, is protected.

Otherwise how many more such media companies will continue to exploit unknown small creators. And perhaps yes, a younger me would’ve excitedly gone in and offered to help. That’s because, I was clueless. I come from a first-generation immigrant family. Where the BBC is revered.

I’d also begun to understand how structural racism worked and the white saviour complex. And that media, politics, arts and many other liberal sectors, are often riddled with the most racist classist individuals. Who don’t realise how prejudiced they are, because of the way they fawn over the trauma and vulnerabilities of those who are from marginalised and broke backgrounds.

They seem to get a kick out of “poverty porn”. And “trauma porn”.

And will often pick those WOC, who are lacking in confidence. Because I think it contributes to their own narrative and need of feeding their power base in their minds. To help remind them that perhaps us brown or black women, are incapable of being our own empowered self, without ever needing the contribution of white people.

But it also points to the basic morality of how media execs snap up new talent as money making machines. And given that Ms Hussain had just won GBBO, of course, many would have surrounded her and snapped her up, to secure future income stream. And I do worry as to whether she got the right guidance and advice. And to understand how to manage relationships in the entertainment world. And not to take everyone at face value.

Her agent and Love Productions would’ve seen cash signs in their eyes. By scrambling to get this program done, where has this left all of them? What really was gained apart from money? And that’s great but not at the expense of Lovedesh and certainly not at the expense of those who are poor. I would love an investigation for them all to understand what was lost here.

And of course later down the line, I then learnt of the big big dispute when BBC broke away – it was reported Love Productions had insisted on more money. And was arguing over concept of copyright.

And why I can say it is a correct opinion to state that Love Production and its founders are “greedy” and unethical. It beggars belief.

Even after I complained – they had the audacity to instruct lawyers on me.

I still tried to think positively. And at no point have I proactively sought to pursue them financially. After the last message sent by their external lawyer in September 2016.

I wanted to keep thinking perhaps Ms Hussain was naive. I came up with all sorts of excuses. She was new. A mother who came from a very traditional background, I could imagine that Ms Hussain would have just been grateful to have an army ready to represent her interests. And was herself a victim. And that she was not from the private sector. I don’t know what her father is like, but I do know that my father trained me to fight back. And that a lot of women of colour from south Asian heritage don’t necessarily always get this.

And while I was sitting worrying about her, trying to look after her well-being, I now realise, not one moment probably passed, where at least one of them, felt some form of guilt. Or at least shame.

The media machine is constantly churning out articles after articles of Ms Nadiya Hussain under attacked, bullied and suffering. And then attempting to demonstrate that she is all rather naive and not as savvy. And she cares about people. And of how authentic she has remained .

But I could not believe it. I do not think she is. Or ever was.

As I have stated, I complained to Nadiya Hussain and asked to meet her – via her agent Anne Kibel. I was declined. I was so shocked when her agent wrote in an email that they fully support the actions of Love Productions. And as I have mentioned. I possess this email.

Now given that my life was under existential huge threat – when Charlotte had called me. I had told their senior MGT of my background. And of the hardship WOC face. From our own community. It is why – I am most upset.

I sincerely thought that by getting involved with such a major programme, it might help change Lovedesh’s fortune, and help me resurrect and rescue the damaged projects.

I explained to Charlotte, that I was not like Ms Hussain. I did not come from a loving family and I had no partner. And that while I appreciated her anxiety and lack of confidence was a huge televised moment, I was unable to relate to this individual.

Because to me Ms Hussain seemed suddenly very privileged. Given she was being flown out, to front of programme, when she had no knowledge or expertise on Bangladesh. And was being showboated as someone who has knowledge and expertise of the Bangladeshi culture.

Anyhow. After I was left with evidence of unethical conduct. And a wilful attempt to erase and steal the work I had been doing, I had to cease complaining. As my memoirs will prove, and I have already recounted, I was fighting on all fronts. Including my evil family – who had trashed my charity and more.

While my family went on to destroy my Lovedesh projects and charity in April 2015. Every penny was spent on helping those they threatening. And why it was very important that I get paid and get credited.

So when Love Productions got lawyers in – I simply had no money for even legal fees.

I fell so ill. Sick.

My daughter and I had already became hidden homeless. When Love Productions had called, I was in temporary accommodation. In July 2015. In January 2014, things were so bad, charities relocated my daughter, in order to keep us safe, as a consequence of the threats and abuse I was getting for undertaking work I was doing all alone, to help protected people and planet.

And so finally I got so ill. I had to put this dispute on the back burner. I had no energy. I had to focus on staying alive.

Now. In 2021, I am stronger.

I will not let this go.

I will not rest until the wrong done to me and to Lovedesh and to all the villagers, weavers, garment workers, victims of Rana Plaza., Disabled Rickshaw drivers is put right.

I have a small loyal army of followers. And hopefully Lovedesh will explode into the mainstream I hope. As there are a few courageous investigative journalists trying to break my story.

And the world will learn of the various corrupt, horrid and bullying conduct of those, who seek to harm those of us who undertake authentic work in protecting people and planet. And of the horrific structural racism, that I, a WOC have suffered at the hands of not just white execs in media. But also from Misogynoir (when brown and black women suffer hatred and oppression from men in their own community) and more.

Just take a look at this man.

This is just one of a handful a woman like me has to cope wit

The sheer hatred and often mocking that comes with attempting to have a global vision, a dream.

I attempted to do a petition but then of course, I soon found I had a stalker this year. And then on and on it goes.

https://www.change.org/p/help-yasmin-her-followers-stop-cyberbullying

And I’m sitting here, constantly wondering, at how those who came across Lovedesh, had they just given us a a little lift up, I wonder where we would be now? I wonder if any of the people who died, would be alive today? Of course I’m going to go there with my thoughts.

STRUCTURAL RACISM/CLASSISM

I ask you to withdraw/ssupend all programmes featuring Ms Hussain, AK Management & GBBO Creator Love Productions, on the basis of preventing harm to us WOC creators. And thought leaders. And understand that there is a crisis in media and entertainment.

Or at the very least, you try and speak to your talent. And to all her representatives. And to demand to get answers.

I really don’t want to have to hear of “nice” Ms Hussain is. This is a simple issue of right and wrong. And even the nicest people have been known to get it completely wrong.

Much of the reason why I have not wanted to take action against Miss Hussain immediately, is because I am also a fellow Muslim. And I know, that her entering mainstream society, is helping those in in the Muslim community, to be welcomed – given the rise of Islamaphobia.

But then I realised, this is not a benefit that should be gained, at the expense of vulnerable and the poor. Also it is misleading. Because, I’ve become to see, a myriad of hijab clad women of colour, black folks being propelled into mainstream society. But the reality is, behind them all, is an army of white privileged media executives.

I feel that Nadiya from the start has been used by white media executives in what I am calling “a brown decoy”. At other times I called “Pick Me Browns” as well as “Banjo Browns”

There is a chapter about this in my memoir.

Which when it is published, will explain this thought leadership in more detail. But I used to feel sadness, tragedy and pity for those of my brown and black brothers and sisters, who begin to dance to the tune of white racist people, who clearly hide behind them. Using them as puppets to continue to enable structural racism to flourish.

And when I talk about this I am talking specifically about Love Productions and Anne Kibel.

I’ve come across their types many times.

Ms Hussain has, in my humble opinion become just one of many, who are being capitalised on an image as a empowered Hijab Muslim, a woman of colour. But sadly the reality is that it was done solely in order to provide new income streams as a POC talent, whose populism they banked, in cash coins, while they also simultaneously enable structural racism white saviour complex and colonialist attitudes to flourish.

What this means is that not much of fighting structural racism has changed. It’s performative action. It is in fact extremely insidious as I have noticed that those who are being promoted and propelled to the front of mainstream society, are often brown and black women who behave well. Non threatening. And quite simply do as they are told. And often they are quite happy to enable and allow white media executives to trample over members in their own community.

Which is the ultimate horrific betrayal.

I’m sorry but not on my watch.

THE AMERICAN CASE STUDY

I was getting upset. As it was not the first time either I had such experience. I was getting so many requests from white media creatives wanting access to Bangladesh and wanting me to help without paying for it.

I recall a hideous American couple, back in 2013, who told me that they had a connection to Oprah Winfrey.

I was so excited as I love Oprah Winfrey. She was a huge role model.

The boyfriend came to my house, I made him tea and snacks and even gave him a sample of the Lovedesh sustainable fashion bracelet to give to Oprah Winfrey. If she ever reads it – I doubt it got to her. And I hope she bans anyone using her name, in an attempt to get us unknowns from being used and discarded.

When he then told me that they wanted to find out how they could go in disguise, and go and capture footage of garment workers in Rana Plaza, Bangladesh. I wanted to vomit. He was so awkward. He was in my mothers front living room. I was looking at all the effort I had made.

And as he sat there looking at me expectantly.

I categorically refused.

“Ummm no. Definately not.” I exclaimed.

There was a long pain and awkward silence.

I told him I had no intention of breaking filming protocol laid down by the Bangladeshi Government.

Because broadcasting foreign programmes required relevant visas etc. I also said I certainly was not going to put any garment worker at risk, by having them interviewed by two random Americans. As I began to notice the proliferation of fashion campaigning charities and many more doing the same, and then running off and leaving the garment workers at risk. And the sheer racism and white saviour complex in action.

Again there is a huge campaign I am undertaking to change this. Called #ShutUpForRanaPlaza. That is seeking to topple the current incumbent Fashion Revolution, led by two white women, who of course, have chosen to erase the trauma of dead Rana Plaza garment workers. By calling the very anniversary week, in which 1,136 garment workers in Bangladesh died, after their own organisation. I kid you not.

Everyone applauds it. Everyone is involved. Everyone is complicit. And everyone is white.

And every year, since 2013, the entire week of April, is in the hands of white people, gathering in panels at which, only after the death of George Floyd, they chuck now a few seats at the table to people of colour – in order to be seen to be inclusive. And of course what can black and brown people do, but take whatever is given. Because to do otherwise, still requires white peoples permission.

Until of course, I came along. The only woman of colour, of Bangladeshi heritage, who swivelled my head and began to scrutinise it. And say “STOP!”.

And in doing so, of course they have either erupted in full white fragility. Or ghosting me. Interesting that the colour attached to both of these conditions is “white”.

And I’m very proud to say that I’m also in a huge dispute with the black author of her book – “Consumed”, Aja Barber. Who has styled herself as a fashion campaigner and champion of workers rights yet when I explained to her that the Rana Plaza. victims were very unhappy and could you look at the evidence, she instead blocked me on Instagram. Refused to listen. And instead has been seem to be defending and helping to platform a white female cohorts in the fashion campaigning sector

But this American man sitting in my mother’s lounge. Drinking my tea was staring and looking shocked.

I told him I was a business owner. And that I myself was tired of the way the Bangladeshi government and its people are always blamed especially in light of the Rana Plaza. factory collapse. And why I had even done a video about it. Filmed on 4 July 2013.

And of how as much as I admired President Obama, he was wrong to suspend tax breaks on Bangladesh.

https://vimeo.com/7106093

Why Lovedesh™? from Yasmin Choudhury on Vimeo.

I told him it was really insulting and I also stated that any work with me, would mean I undertake an ethical audit, as it’s not okay to shove cameras in the faces of the most destitute. I also asked him is this how they would perhaps treat, traumatised victims of tragedies in the USA. And why is it that they only ever wanted to showcase the misery and the trauma. Given that there was so much of it, being done by international aid agencies who are forever exercising “poverty porn” projects.

I recall seeing his Adams apple bobbing up and down and gulping as I don’t think he’d ever been addressed in such a manner. It saw the same expectation and entitlement in his voice that I heard in Charlotte’s voice.

The fact that they’ve never been challenged in this way. The fact that by mentioning a celebrity, somehow I would fall to my knees. And claw in desperation to run alongside them both, offering them free help, as they began their sweatier sent to the higher echelons of the documentary, tv and filmmaking world – was insulting.

Of course I never heard from him ever again. And of course I never heard from Oprah Winfrey 🙂

There is much more. Of such horrid white liberal media people. So much more that one day I really think, I should definitely do the entire scene. As a short play.

RADIO TIMES

I am further incandescent with unhappiness at seeing a Radio Times article.

https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/entertainment/reality-tv/great-british-bake-off-nadiya-hussain-big-rt-interview/

Since asking Ms Hussain and her agent to do the right thing, they do not.

On 21 September 2021, even did a Tik Tok video and tagged her agent on Twitter. It is already in the public domain – and yet they have ghosted me. Sheer silence.

I appreciate that perhaps this is not the usual behaviour of corporate professionals. But do excuse me. I couldn’t help but be tongue in cheek. And I think I have been pretty patient. I’m not sure anyone else would’ve endured the way I have had. In the 1980s, Bob Geldof was celebrated for approaching Margaret Thatcher and shouting about the plight of the Ethiopians.

But when it comes to brown or black women, we have to contain yourself. We have to think 50 times over, before we express our discontent. Even though we are the victims and even though we are the innocent.

My #GBBO scandal.

Yo @LoveProductions + @AKAManagement – remember me? ❤️ I remember you. Imma coming to collect. Tsk tsk. So naughty.

I hope BBC (@Channel4) look at the history of your conduct. And change editorial policy. What was done to my @LovedeshScout was horrendous pic.twitter.com/bFT0HrGysp

— Yasmin A. Choudhury FRSA (@yasminisyasmin) September 21, 2021

Again I was ghosted.

Such is their power. And how and why nobody mentions it – is testimony to some form of unhealthy cultdom

Now, she is the front cover of this Radio Times and an article has been published in November 2021, where yet again Ms Hussain is pictured gushing how she suddenly wants to be a role model for women of her own colour.

She is claiming to care about brown woman. And why many hearing this are calling her “liar” – not my words but those who hear my story on social media.

Richmond & Twickenham Times reported as follows. On 2 November 2021.

https://www.richmondandtwickenhamtimes.co.uk/leisure/national/19687556.bake-offs-nadiya-hussain-says-work-still-done-on-screen-diversity/

The Great British Bake Off winner Nadiya Hussain said the responsibility of representing her community on TV “does weigh heavy on me”

“The British-Bangladeshi chef and cookery book author, who won the baking show in 2015, said she considered her career to be “much more than just working in publishing and television”.

Hussain, 36, told the Radio Times: “I have a responsibility to people who relate to me. People of colour. Muslims. Women. Stay-at-home mums. You name it. All of those.

She is not.

This is not true.

I’m sorry but I could not help but think of my dead cousin as well as many other rural villages. Who have died.

I now believe Ms Hussain is doing this to detract from the dispute, which we told her agent would become public – if they did not stop.

COMPLAINT RE FAST FLAVOURS

“Fast Flavours” is now the second time I have caught this individual taking concept ideas, that Lovedesh has been creating since 2008.

I note that Nadiya is now using a cooking method that doesn’t follow recipe. I’ve been doing this since 2008 and often call it “Willy Wonka”.

I’m well known for never following recipes especially because I have an invisible disability.

Many of my cooking videos are on TikTok. Under the hashtag #yasminisyasmincookingasmr. Or under cooking.

And while there are many who I’m sure, have done this. I think it is reasonable to expect, that given I am in possession of how they trawled over my website – they did it again. Again I have no rights. On this I have no evidence. But I do know this much, white media executives are the ones researching new angles.

Celebrity bakers and chefs have an entire team at their disposal, via production companies. Who are busy hunting the next holy grail for program making. And the only ones I see often suffering, our original creators. Whose specific role is job is to brainstorm programmes for influencers and talent to front. We see it over and over again, poor unknown creators having their ideas ripped off. By those with bigger budgets and bigger teams. Be it books, fashion, art etc.

PAST PRECEDENTS

However, I also sat down in work today, as I’m starting to see a slight change in the direction of the wind. Towards a culture that is seeking to be more authentic. Purely because audiences will now react quickly and viscerally. If they see something they do not like. Program making is no longer the preserve of those who can be dodgy and get away with it. Especially if they are privileged and white.

Today, post-pandemic, the world and the media sector is in a very different place. Especially after the death of George Floyd.

The merest whiff of cultural appropriation and racism is getting many who are well known and deemed to be “cool” cancelled.

People do not like it when every day citizens are trampled over. This is most notable with Travis Scott and his Astroworld concert.

Most of all, we are beginning to see the rise of greater transparency. And further measures being taken to ensure ethics and integrity are upheld, in the media and entertainment world

Candice Braithwaite, Author, Journalist, TV Presenter

For example – there was Candice Braithwaite’s story.

Of some on social media claiming that she had been allegedly being “dropped” from presenting a programme. When in fact it she later clarified it was another program she was due to have presented, was not picked.

And instead a different one was commissioned which platformed Rochelle Humes, as the presenter. She was a singer in a S Club Junior. And The Saturdays.

Of course Ms Braithwaite was utterly noble. It seemed the programme wanted to just interview her. She was very clear, she wanted to be a co-presenter. Of course – it was declined. As they chose not to platform an expert as a co-presenter.

And I found it sad and telling. As Ms Braithwaite wrote this:

“I don;’t want my trauma to be mined for a show I have no control of the narrative.”

Rochelle Humes ‘didn’t replace Candice Brathwaite’ in Black women childbirth documentary, Channel 4 states

But notice how a black woman’s original thought leadership is taken, and white people begin to make a program and then they get to decide, who should present it. Which as we know, is access to platform and privilege. And by choosing a light-skinned black woman, and claiming that they wish for Rochelle Hulmes (whom I do not blame whatsoever), to show the element of surprise (odd) – is what happens to woc thought leaders.

I also noticed – how all the media coverage – was later issued with a certain angle. Of how shocked Ms Humes was. Almost as if to prove the point – ‘look we sent in Rochelle and yes – she was shocked”

Yet it is funny is it not – that we have white male or female presenters. Who are the experts. Be it in arts and history, science presenting on their expert topics. Eg Brian Cox to impart knowledge on science. Andrew Graham Dixon who presents The Culture Show. Or there was the late Wendy Beckett Nun and Art Historian.

Or Simon Reeve – who is even seen visiting Bangladesh. A great chap. All of whom I think are fab.

All of the presenters I adore. But I hope you see the point I am making whenever a woc is a thought leader. We are not welcomed. We are not supported. In the same way – and even if we are not supported – our original ideas taken and used to profile and platform others.

Now let us turn to the world of cooking. And Plagiarism. In 2021.

MasterChef Contestant Elizabeth Haigh’s book “Makan”

We already have a recent major scandal at the heart of the publishing sector. The story of MasterChef Contestant Elizabeth Haigh’s book “Makan” was pulled after suggestions these were “copied or paraphrased” who got a book cancelled after complaint of plagiarism. By author Sharon Wee.

https://www.theguardian.com/books/2021/oct/11/former-masterchef-contestants-book-pulled-amid-plagiarism-accusations

I am aware there are limitations to conception.

That is because the current law is not fit for purpose.

But there is also now no limitation to transparency.

And accountability. Proving culpability is easy due to the digital transformation in enabling to capture evidence of original work.

Back in 2016 when I was submitting my dispute and complaint, I imagine neither Ms Hussein, Ms Anne Kibel and Love Productions, could’ve thought that I would’ve saved every piece of evidence. And that today, thanks to social platforms, live streaming, historical evidence, can quickly gain traction.

As while appropriation continues, there are now dedicated website – that pillory and expose the fakes. Take for example Diet Prada – it does for fashion what fashion refuses to do it for itself. And social media accounts that pillory horrid people.

Or take Shaiie Foeva –

Who just tells it as it is.

So while tech enables many to rip off ideas within minutes it also gives protection. Many original creators like me, who lack funding, resource, platform, privilege and protection, and often are compelled into sharing Ideas of our thought leadership and content into the public domain. In order to show traction and viability to decision makers. I am glad we have the ability to expose.

To very quickly find who the creators of this program. And I am often thinking now, of those original creators, who would’ve been ripped off and hurt, prior to the Internet revolution.

The ones who would’ve probably died from depression, or from lost income or just whenever recognised.

And so I return again to my personal thought leadership as to why I am due to talk about the emergence of a new noir horror. “Pick Me Browns”, “Banjo Browns” or “Decoy Browns” – in the game of rich and greedy – staying rich and greedy.

And how women of colour such as Ms Hussain, are sadly perhaps being used as decoys by structurally rich and racist white individuals within privileged sectors – to create new income streams while also rushing to be seen as diverse and inclusive.

I ask you to help us stop it.

I feel the evidence will show this woman and the people who represent her, are unethical and disingenuous and are not only trampling over our moral rights. But also her and her team have been damaging the well-being and interest of poor villages, cooks and garment workers of Bangladesh.

Many of them have died and now I’ve come to collect. As I and they are furious.

MY MEMOIRS

I reserve the right to go public.

It has been five years.

All of this has to emerge. And I have evidence that at no point have I ever wanted this to be made public.

I already possess a social media audience of 25K, and an audience on TikTok, who follow us and hack been shown the evidence. And have urged me to fight back.

I will not back down until I see Ms Hussain cancelled or, all involved parties put right the wrong done.

Having to publish evidence is core to the mantra of Lovedesh. I also have made a public promised to protect people and planet. And I always tell anyone in human rights work, international development or the fight to prevent climate change, this is what protecting pope and planet looks like.

Unless you challenge ethics and speak up on the truth of the ascendency of those, who do not put people and planet first. Who seem to have one face for the public but behind the scenes have another completely different agenda.

Let me show you what I mean.

As it is in the public interest to do so. As I feel the British public unfortunately are being fleeced, based on the idea that Ms Hussain is an ethical family woman.

Not true.

Much of her profile is built on her being passionate about family, and her story of finding empowerment.

For example, she has done children’s book on “inner strength”. I myself and my mother, and there is no way I would ever buy a book, authored by someone who hurt the very poorest in Bangladesh.

I note that in her website. This what she proclaims of her family values.

This is contrary to our experience of her.

No good family woman I know of, has behaved the way she has – or ever would. I know as they told me.

And while she dares to have been benefiting from huge amounts of income, that helps generate more than a healthy disposable income, we know, she did so at the expense of Lovedesh. Without revealing the horrific tragedy and trauma in depriving and damaging the work that Lovedesh has been doing.

I was further shocked to see just how aloof she truly is. She publicly claims on her website she cannot help with any charity requests – as she is already an ambassador for Starlight Children’s Foundation and WaterAid. This screenshot is from today.

Really. She cannot give away one book?

Even once a year?

Really?!!! She does not allow anyone to solicit her for charity work? I note also that there is no attachment to any projects for Bangladesh. And when you look at this, and all the other evidence in this post, serious warning bells are ringing for me.

I don’t even expect Love Productions would have done an audit and checked if modern day slavery was involved in the Bangladesh film crew field costs. When they called me they told me they had hired a fixer and I recall telling them, to involve me, in order to ensure the well-being of production stuff in the ground. Given I was fluent in the language.

They declined.

We are now going to seek to ask Love Productions to show us what, if any charity Money was given to Bangladeshi people. And whether staff out there for Chronicles of Nadiya were paid living wages or were exploited financially. Be it the rigger to the tea boy – because I know how Bangladesh works. I am an expert. And the only Brit who has been working out there at grassroots

This is simply more proof of entitled conduct. I know how charities work – they would roll out the red carpet and the fact she has publicly refused to even listen to any charity requests – given what she had done to Lovedesh, is terrible!

I will further be writing to both these charities – to ask they remove her. As well as all her sponsors including Next. The tragic irony is that her heritage is from Bangladesh, which is already famous for the plight of garment workers. She then rushes to take money from a fast fashion retailer, is shocking.

Of course I tweeted Telegraph about this.

All brands often complicit in fast fashion. The fact that she is ignorant of Bangladeshi garment workers being exploited by fast fashion is a pity. And reminds me why I need to write to Nadiya Hussain to say #EnoughIsEnough

— Yasmin A. Choudhury FRSA (@yasminisyasmin) May 22, 2021

I then see that she is using her mental health to continue to paint herself as vulnerable. In a Gaby Roslin interview. I have no reason to disbelieve her. But it is most odd – she does not seem to feel at all accountable for the damage she and her representatives have done to my mental health. I am disabled. As are victims of Rana Plaza.

https://www.express.co.uk/life-style/health/1520134/nadiya-hussain-health-mental-health-problems-anxiety

All my evidence is due to be published by 25 November 2021. On the Lovedesh website.

As part of my vlog memoirs Lovedesh 10+ Files. Which will help promote International Day For Elimination Of Violence Against Women And Girls.

Hence. My story and interaction with this talent and GBBO, also forms part of an emerging campaign called #JusticeForYasmin.

As it relates to those named in the Lovedesh Hall of Horrors. A list of those who have pro-actively prevented, damaged or hurt the work being done to protect people and planet. On the list is Nadiya Hussain.

And before I can even get angry with anyone, my anger is first and foremost reserved for my own blood family.

And why I have become pretty desensitised at what others do, because after having to witness and endure the horror of seeing my own blood behave in a way, that tramples and harms people and planet, as to some extent made me able to withstand extreme violent bouts of stress.

And why I think it is relevant to share my family issues, given that all of this had happened, when the approach was made by Love Productions, after having admitted Lovedesh’s website had been reviewed.

MY FAMILY ISSUES (VERY LONG ISSUE)

In April 2015 – my own blood family ordered the destruction of all charity & Lovedesh projects. All of which is documented with relevant authorities – be it High Commission of Bangladesh in London, UK to press and media or City Police in Sylhet, Bangladesh. And it was while I was reeling from the aftermath of this and of having been made homeless during the summer of 2015, I recall life getting better for me as 2016 started.

I won entrepreneur of the year the National British Muslim awards in January 2016. And by February 2016, Love Productions had contacted me about a BBC programme that they were making. I was really happy as in spite of all my hardship, it’s often nice to just get recognised and not to have to battle, in being able to do or talk about the work that I’m so passionate about.

You see I chose to be a different type of woman. To that of my sisters and too many of the women in my family and my own British Bangladeshi community both in London and back in Sylhet, Bangladesh.

In 1970, 51 years ago I was raised above a London curry house.

My strict Muslim beloved father was also staunch feminist. A father of four girls and one son (bad bad bad in my community – as sons are key to success in the eyes of this backward tribal community).

He did the one thing that no one else was doing within his tribal community. He chose to educate every single one of his daughters.

And informed us that marriage was not just the single most important aspect of our adult life. But that being a good Muslim, protecting people and planet and having a career, so we can always be independent, was.

The charity I set up, in 2010, called Amcariza Foundation is named after him – as his initial AMC stands for Al-Haj Abdul Muquith Choudhury. His mother, my grandmother – was a widow, and called Ariza. She was left with 15 children over half of whom I suspect were under 10, when her husband died. I thought this charity would be an apt and fitting tribute.

I am currently writing a script inspired by his life story – as it breaks my heart. How the world rarely hears the stories of the broken lives of first generation brown male immigrants from South Asia. And their own suffering of having to conform to rigid standards of male and white societal behaviour. Often they remain parodied or demeaned to this day.

And while my father and I never saw eye to eye over religion, it was only when I became a mother, I understood his legacy. Growing up as a young brown dark skinned Muslim teenager in the 1980s, desperately wanting to fit into white society, I often saw him as a joke and an embarrassment. But that was because White Society narrative taught me that brown father figures like mine had little value. As all we heard were shocking stories of poor girls and women being killed by their own. Today, when I do my live streams on TikTok, and often my followers, many of whom are young people, love to listen to the tales of my father, I’m just so sad he’s not alive to see the admiration and respect afforded to him today, in 2021.,

From a new generation, that is astonished to hear the amount of input he had in fashioning me come on my ethics and my values. There was no smart phone, there was no film streaming platforms. It was just father and daughter conversation.

Sadly – I eventually chose to have had a mixed race child in secret and without telling him. I was so afraid as I was told he would have heart attack, if he found out. I kept my daughter hidden. Not true – he told me later that his greatest grief was that I never turned to him – first.

And why before he died – we were not speaking. But he loved my child and did all he could for her while she was alive

It was only after he died, when I wept and realised, he was the single most ethical and influential man ever to have graced this world. He died utterly brokenhearted, very alone. Cheated and betrayed. By all.

None of his brilliant plans had come to fruition. And he left the world as he had arrived, crying.

And why am angry at all of those featured in the Lovedesh Hall of horrors, because when they damaged and hurt Lovedesh, not only were they damaging me, my daughter and all the vulnerable folks we work with. But they were messing with the memory and legacy that I have been creating to restore my father’s reputation.

Because what you don’t know is that he suffered a lot for educating us girls. He was mocked and pilloried.He was told that he would regret it and that we would all go wild. And of course, when we did, meet examples, by having a mixed race child, they all pointed and laughed and mocked and ridiculed him. He was lampooned.

But I was not to know that. Nor care. Even now, my backward community talks about the Choudhury girls known as “Makon Miah’s furin” and they laughs and mocks at how my family are utterly broken. And they point and gossip “that is what happens when women get out of their lanes – my daughters are all too busy with being a wife and a mother – as it should be”

But in the 1990s I was busy being a young single professional woman. No idea of what was to come.

Abba always knew I eschewed having a husband. And he was so proud that I was working in the city of London for big corporate’s. And even got me to drive in Bangladesh in the 1990s as well as undertake purchasing of cement, machinery and tools for redecorating our family house, insulant, Bangladesh. Again, for a Sylehti woman do to this – it was unheard of.

And soon you will learn why, as the real role that daughters play in my community, is this. The expectation for us from the moment we are born – is that we must change, when we get to become adults. That we were just temporary tenants in our father’s household. We would and must leave our fathers house transferring across to that of our husband. It didn’t matter whether you were 25, 45, or 15 the outcome would be the same. There could be no life outside of this transition, We are indeed “born to breed”.

Well me being me. At the age of six, I made it very clear that no such thing would happen to me. I recall screaming and crying being told that I would have to leave my father’s house. I had a particularly nasty aunt who would crow about it. She used to enjoy setting me off. And she hated the fact that my father had big visions for his daughters. As an FYI, of course she had given birth to 2 sons. A veritable lottery win in my community.

I made it clear I wanted to be a bachelorette. And he would indulge me. And to some extent he could.

You see my father was a wealthy landowner of Sylhet Bangladesh. And a wealthy man in his own right in the UK. The first of his family, to stockpile assets that would make him extremely rich. In fact the richest in his family and the greatest benefactor, as he began to sponsor every single one whoever came to him.

His heritage was from a strictly orthodox landowning Muslim family. From the Village of Ali Nagor. In Sylhet, Bangladesh. He began to buy acres of land. He had a dream that one day, it would all be used philanthropically to provide income for the rural villagers. Who adored him.

The process of landowning in Bangladesh works similar to the english feudal system. Yet different given that the land also owned was at some point controlled by the British Empire. A dominant social system where villages become a form of tenant. There is a Squire (Zomidar). A term introduced during British Colonial rule.

And the villagers would work for the lands under the “Nankar” a form of slavery – where in exchange for bread and food they would get right to live and work the lands. Deemed to be owned by the Zomidors. It was abusive. Horrific. They had no rights. I know my father thought this was wrong. So do I . And it is continued to be practiced by my own family in 2021. And why a post will soon be emerging about #SaveShelim. A real villager who has disappeared, whom I was helping to escape my family;’s clutches.

My late father was often called Zomidar, as he was the son of a landowning family.

But my father was different.

He treated the villagers with love and respect. I have photographs of him hanging out with the members of the villagers, his own family would wrinkle their noses at. But because he was rich and he had a British passport, nobody dared to say a word. And so while he was alive, the villagers had the greatest benefactor and even to this day, when I visit Bangladesh, they cry and tell me how much they miss him.

But both him and I knew my community would never permit me to do all the things I knew I wanted to do. That he wanted me to do. That he wanted all my three other sisters to do.

And I guess it is why I was the only daughter, remaining at home, who was allowed to eschew every single offer of marriage. Many were via arranged marriage proposals that came – seeking my hand.

I was not only a young professional woman with my own earned income which which I bought my own car, my own house in London and a a City career. Not one penny from my family. And he let me be.

And so his greatest legacy he left for me – was that he raised me like a son. Allowed me the privileges of a son. And shielded me from ever getting married.

To get me ready so that should he die – I could survive alone.

Of course he wanted it desperately but he could never ever force me. No matter how much he worried and told me that he was scared for me, I would poo poo away all his concerns.

He told me the “wolves” would come for his family and why he whispered to me often, he was leaving me, the business minded one, as an insurance policy – should my siblings fail.

As he suspected they would. And do it in a terrible way. That would end up destroying all the work he had done, and all his legacy of philanthropy.

And to this day I see documents that my dad has left behind, carefully worded, in order to limit the powers of my own brother. And that of my male cousin. And of the reams of correspondence and diary notes he kept, of his fluent English, detailing so many betrayals. If how he was cheated over and over and over again. And now that I myself, in a similar position to my father, however I have tools and social media platforms to tell my story, I must say I’m really glad my father died. As I would imagine it would’ve killed him to carry on staying alive.

Because constant betrayal, constant unethical people constant horror – is trauma to the brain. I should know. As I myself suffered from it.

You will recall, this is also a man who was born and bred in a village. Who was doing the best he could. Who had no support.

When he finally died – unexpectedly – I was 33. The men in my family moved in and took control. And of course – in there was my first cousin – a man called Enam – who had married my besotted eldest sister, a British solicitor – against my father’s wishes. He knew what Enam, his own blood nephew was up to. And of the danger this man posed.

I was bamboozled by grief. Despite being a professional who was working for big retail brands and corporates – with extensive experience in the banking sector and FTSE companies, I was told by my family – it was not my place to ask questions. No – not even at 34.

But I slowly fought back. At every step. I began to wake up. And as much as I had been trained, I was no match for life without my father. His power was gone. I was alone. And instead I began to see nefarious individuals and family members who my head once upon a time love to so much, making terrible horrific choices. Motivated by greed, patriarchy and a wilful need to destroy and erase my father’s name.

I fought back. At every step.

I had begun fighting for the rights of rural villagers. Yes, me a British born and bred Londoner.

I had no credentials. I had nobody protecting me.

I did not know the language. The villagers and the good people of Bangladesh taught me.

I Iearnt it all and I began to fight back. Not just for me, but for every woman and for every rural villagers treated as an “untouchable”

I was cut off and shunned by family members. And I soon became known as the “crazy” one. She is “mad”. In order to distract from their own conduct and behaviour which I was digging up left right and centre.

Report after report, and incident after incident was occurring of how my horrific family were mistreating the very poorest

My “Muslim” devout family treated the women and men villagers like dirt. And were often busy torturing and hurting them.

So incandescent with rage at the evil being undertaken by my “professional” British family and my male cousins in Bangladesh. I took it on myself to do something about it.

I was told that villagers “deserved to stay poor” and not to have access to electricity. I strolled in to an electrical office HQ and I sorted it for them. All of this can be vouched for.

Let me give some more brief examples.

I was raised not to sit at the same level as them – I did.

I was told I should not touch them and hug them – I did.

I was told I should not allow them to sit on my bed – I did.

I was told they could not eat at the dining table with me – I did.

I was told not to do charity projects that would ever involve use of the join family’s ancestral land – I did.

I was told not to mingle alone – as I was unmarried – I did.

I was told it was wrong to show my hair – I did.

I was told I should get a husband – I did not.

And boy – my British family and male cousins in Bangladesh hated me. They were embarrassed of me.

There are scores of YouTube videos of me – talking about the punishment being meted out to me in 2015 – because I, a single mother, in my 40s, with a mixed race daughter, had begun defying centuries old traditions.

Challenging my corrupt family. Over and over. And over.

By now I was even fighting my own British born and bred siblings. No, they were not on my side. To this day I do not understand.

As I got closer to the villagers. I began fighting to obtain shares of my late father’s in inheritance to become a female rural land owner – yes – a “Zomidar”.

Unheard of in Sylheti Bangladeshi culture.

Yet the rights of the poor and that of Muslim woman’s inheritance rights have been enshrined in Islam since 7th century. Turn to any Quran – anywhere in the world – it is all there. But these are often refused by those patriarchal tribal families like mine, who identify as devout “Muslim” families but choose to follow patriarchy .

A form of evil “cultdom” that pervades all societies. Yes – in the UK and the USA. A social construct. As it is the worship and ascendency of the male gender over and above what is not decreed by just Islam. But by every civilised society. However it took me many decades to understand, why I became a champion of women’s rights. It wasn’t because of westernised white feminism that had been shoved down my throat as a young British schoolgirl. It was the sheer brilliance of reading the Quran and wondering why it was, that it was ordering and instructing women to be helped into stockpiling cash and assets.

By getting my shares of inheritance, be it land and cash, would mean I could protect the villagers.

By getting access and my name onto title deeds (as there is some global report that says only 1% of all title deeds are in the name of women) – I thought I could then show just how feminist Islam was.

As I had also witnessed the creeping Islamaphobia.

I thought it behoved for the world to understand just how misunderstood this wonderful faith was. That by ordering women access to inheritance shares back in the 7th century – not because it wanted us to buy pretty frocks or gold rings. I recall in a stand-up show that I did, at the byline festival, commenting that clearly there was no Gucci or Primark in the deserts of Arabia back then.. So why give women cash?

Hmmmm….

Because access to wealth is access to power and privilege. And of course the ability to do good with it. Or bad of course if that is what one chooses to do with. But the point remains, Muslim women are expected to be given wealth and to retain it, for her own protection. And as we approach the international day of elimination of violence against women and girls, I would ask the international community, to explore this angle further. The access to wealth and finance. Which is often been deprived to women as well as the poorest.

I even did my own research piece here about it years ago. As I was shocked – I had never been taught.

And why I was impressed when Ms Hussain first won – as I knew it would show the world – just how a woman should not be defined by her faith nor her dress. And was so sure she would be someone who would understand the power of the work I too was trying to do.

But the men in my ugly family are the power houses. It was me against all of them.

And of course – I bit off more than I can chew – given my limited resources. And after my own blood sisters betrayed me. One by one – to serve the patriarchy in my family – I began to lose.

My sister was married to my first cousin. Enam. My father’s brother’s son. And this man, whom I despise, snared my brilliant clever sister at a young age. Many do not realise, the rush to get Sylheti girls married, is often to not only keep them virgins. For their husbands (who knows what he is up to right!). But to also secure and possess financial rights. Which is much coveted. And white many boys growing up, are often shoved towards the female British or American born cousins during trips to Bangladesh..

It will explain why many British Sylheti Banglaeshi women end up married to their first cousins. Especially to those girls with British passports. As often their father’s (like mine) are busy using cash to buy land back in Bangladesh.

To ensure transfer of all property rights.

My father – the feminist forbid the marriage of my cousin to my sister. He was adamant no daughter of his would ever marry one of our cousins. He was breaking from tradition. He knew the game.

Crazy, tragic and sad.

Even my estranged brother is nowhere near the lands in Bangladesh. After he attempt a solo takeover and it failed.

But my family and many more like this exist – to ensure us Muslim women are busy giving up all access to our inheritance rights after marriage. To the men in our father’s family. As once married – she is then deemed removed – and the property of her husband and his family.

Again nothing in Islam about this. All patriarchy.

By me staying single – I was remaining “in my father’s” domain. I chose to stay one step ahead of the tribal law that would serve to catch me out. Women in my family were raised and deemed mere chattel, we are “born to breed” as I like to coin it. Or “born to bred – bred and then dead.”

And I hate it.

And why even today – British Muslim women from Sylhet culture – like me, from the region of Sylhet – can never have any status – unless we marry a Muslim man.

We must have a husband.

Look around you. How many single mother Muslim women do you see in mainstream society? I cannot.

If we then wear hijab and have picked a man our family approve of – especially who happens to be from Sylhet – this is the ultimate attainment of patriarchal Sylheti families like mine – to determine if a woman can ever be good.

Reach that attainment, whatever she the does – she is and will forever be, deemed an angel. And if she also stays in her lane and does not ask for her inheritance – busy raising her kid and being a good wife. And following an innocuous career that is seen as serving society or their female community (doctor, lawyer, beautician, teacher, nurse)….

…that is the holy grail .

Sadly until the day Abba died – my eldest sister, a British solicitor refused to understand the danger, her husband Enam posed. She still does not, even though she is 54.

The latest reports I have of her in November 2021 – is that she is pictured in the company of her husband my male cousins. One of whom sexually assaulted me (which she knows of, as it is also in the public domain). All of whom control my late father’s estate in Bangladesh.

It is really sad – and a low key poorer brown Muslim version of Succession combined with Handmaiden’s Tale and Only Fools And Horses.

My own family and many more, who, while they appear devout Muslims – will refuse even to this day, to accept the part of Quranic law – that women MUST inherit shares whenever certain relatives die. And I think that they are hoping for me to die, so that I never see the shares owed to me, ever given. Because by depriving me of it, means depriving the villages of help.

And while every Imam I have ever met backs me. And I’ve been to nearly every single British Muslim charity from National Zakat foundation, to MCB, Muslim Council of Britain to even Muslim Women’s Network, not one has offered to help. In fact every single one of these organisations have turned their back on me.

Yet – 16 years on from my beloved father’s death – I remain unable to access it. It has simply been stolen from me. By the men in my family with the help of women. Who are brainwashed into helping them. This includes all my sisters and female cousins. Some cry privately and others tell me “what power do I have – none – I am now in my husancs’s house I cannot help you”.

My own thinking behind why Muslim female financial rights is so hidden – is this. That the less Muslim women know – the less they ask – and so the more patriarchy – which is not allowed in Islam, is enabled.

I even spent many years attempting British media & Muslim organisations to look into this. To help me. To no avail. They prefer to just focus on anything and everything as long as it does not cover the rights Muslim women get – which are VAST in Islam.

And the relevance of all this details re Ms Hussain is this.

Why me getting that call from Love Productions was so brilliant. At first.

I stupidly thought Ms Nadiya Hussain would privately back me. Would love to meet a woman like me. And the story of the women and men who needed help. That she would want to help assist.

I really thought that she, a fellow woc, a Muslim, a woman who talks on and on about lacking confidence and being nervous, would at least want to support me privately.

Support the rural village women, given all the horrendous atrocities I and they were enduring were on YouTube – such as this film.

And while I accepted her advisors, would probably not want her to be seen to be dragged into a negative – she could at least honour and credit the work being done by me for Sylheti Village women. As I thought that would be a great sucker punch to my backward family.

Instead, I hope you will now understand the shock I felt. When I reveal the following.

At first. I got no reply from her to my first urgent email. Pleading for help. I ignored my concerns and assumed it was because of course the agent was busy.

In this email I had asked Anne Kibel of AK Management to meet Ms Hussain, as I had no intention of going public and wanted this issue of infringement resolved in privat

SCOPE OF COMPLAINT

Our dispute is not with anyone involved in the production of Fast Flavours, or any new projects or third parties mentioned here that Ms Hussain is attached to – unless of course, Ms Hussain is using the same “professionals” that were involved that related to my original dispute in 2015, re this individual’s programme for BBC1 called “The Chronicles Of Nadiya”

https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b07r1tc5

Nor is it our intention ever to harm, distress or cause anyone to be unhappy. That would go against my very ethical values.

Hence I congratulate Wall to Wall & BBC2, who have joined to bring British audiences a new cooking programme presented by GBBO winner – Nadiya Hussain called “Fast Flavours”.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m0011h29

But equally, I do have to speak up.

Not just for myself but those who haven’t been left, impacted.

And why I needed to connect with CEOs and the press and legal departments of Wall To Wall Media, BBC, Next and the charities working with Ms Hussain, GBBO creators Love Production And AK Management.

As I have left no stone unturned, in attempting to resolve this privately.

However I have reached an impasse for many years, and I feel I will continue to be ignored. Unless those who have power – can take action.

And why I have brought the matter to each of you.

I cannot do what each of you have the power to do.

Next. My complaint should be be read by all and anyone involved in the platforming and promoting of Ms Nadiya Hussain. Given that many will not be aware of the information I’m about to share. Please forward to all those involved in this programme.

As I now possess details of every single person involved in “Fast Flavours” below. All of whom I’ve never had any contact with in the list below, nor do I have any dispute with – except for Ms Nadiya Hussein, GBBO creators Love Productions & AK Management.

I will also be reaching out to them myself.

Credits

Role	Contributor
Presenter	Nadiya Hussain
Expert	Olia Hercules
Producer	Laia Niubo
Editor	Jon Hubbard
Line Producer	Ross Booker
Production Manager	Sharmila
Executive Producer	Katy Fryer
Production Company	Wall to Wall Media

FAIR NOTICE

I am giving fair notice. And I appreciate this may come as a shock.

I am very open and willing to discuss this matter, so that we reach a fair and reasonable resolution.

But I must insist everyone withdraw all content and programmes such as “Fast Flavours” and “Chronicles of Nadiya” programme. As well as her Next Shoes Edit project, Times Column and more.

Out of respect – as COP26 draws to a close – in the interests of protecting people and planet.

Based on moral and human rights as well as on ethical grounds. For those rural villagers who have since died. Who never got recognition. As did not I.

I also write to formally state that anyone complicit in continuing to promote and platform Ms Hussain, GBBO, Creators Love Productions and Ms Anne Kibel of AK Management, after having brought evidence to their attention, of this triumvirate’s gross unethical conduct, especially as COP26 draws to a close, is deemed by Lovedesh and the communities it serves, to be immediately complicit in the violation of moral and human rights.

As well as depriving the poorest and disabled in the world.

I would also urge you to think about those, especially the world’s poorest I am seeking to help, who collaborated with me, who have either died or who suffered financial loss. They have no voice. Hence please take me seriously?

And explore for yourselves the consequence of the actions undertaken by Ms Hussain and GBBO creator Love Productions and AK Management. Whom I feel have been falsely showboating and platforming her. We have many more villages on standby, who will testify the importance they placed on Lovedesh’s success in not only rescuing themselves but their family.

And why I am asking that all promotion and platforming of any projects initiated that involves either Ms Nadiya Hussain and her agent Ms Anne Kibel of AK Management – or GBBO creators Love Productions, is halted.

ACTION REQUESTED

We now ask that you suspend all or cancel any activities by Ms Hussain and AK Management and GBBO.

Based on a reminder of these points.

The Trio have deprived and disrespected garment workers and rural villagers of Bangladesh and more. By refusing to acknowledge the contribution Lovedesh has made in the Chronicles of Nadiya, many could have been helped.
They have refused every opportunity to resolve this in private. Or to meet. I feel this is evidence of their culpability.
I posses evidence of the email that her agent Anne Kibel wrote. And many more.
I feel my evidence does show “stealing” my concept ideas (as many have used this world – based on evidence I have shown others).
Sadly I do feel Ms Hussain is falsely portraying herself as authentic and lacking in confidence – her and her representatives are anything but behind the scenes. They are money focused. And all of you have a duty not to mislead audiences. And to label and credit external relationships. “The BBC must not knowingly and materially mislead its audiences. We should not distort known facts, present invented material as fact or otherwise undermine our audiences’ trust in our content. We should normally acknowledge serious factual errors and correct them quickly, clearly and appropriately.” And also “The BBC seeks to offer fair and appropriate attribution to third parties that it is involved with
Ms Hussain, AK Management & Love Productions have already been entered into the Lovedesh Hall of Horrors. A list of those who have prevented and harmed the work being done by Lovedesh to protect people and planet.
We ask you to honour those who have died, whom we were attempting to help – through our cooking projects. Not just on income but life. This includes my cousin’s wife, a survivor of domestic violence. She taught me everything. She unexpectedly died this year, because she did not have enough money for hospital. She might have had a better life had Chronicles of Nadiya featured her and credited Lovedesh’s work. As well as two men – Rustum & Ainul. Both died leaving behind widows. Ainul’s daughter was married off – she was under age. Had her father been alive or Lovedesh had made income – this would not have happened to her. Plus one of the male cooks – who helped me learn wood fire cooking – is also dead.

I am very very upset and emotional.

RIGHT OF REFUSAL

Can we make it clear this is purely an invitation.

Of course you are welcome to decline. And at no point are we asking for any compensation or money that is not legally entitled to us.

However we will continue to robustly pursue our claim. Financially and publicly.

Hence from this day forward, of the time and date stamp this email was issued, Lovedesh reserves rights to significant damages plus 11.36% of all gross revenue made by anyone and any third party associated with this programme – be it current and future income – should anyone continue to earn income from this talent after having informed you of our complaint.

Am sure you have a clause in all talent contracts which insists they are ethical and do not do anything to bring into disrepute the organisations involved or associated with this programme.

And would suggest you clawback any funds from her and her team and to perhaps consider legal action for misrepresentation.

And before anyone gets upset with me. Remember the people that I have been working to help. And those who died. They are my priority. Not the feelings of those in media and entertainment companies, who are worrying over loss of income and reputation.

Next. The persons who did this are Ms Hussain and her agent and Love Productions. Help challenge them?

And if you refuse or say “this is nothing to do with us” – each of you who were told, but refused to help or turned a blind eye, will then automatically become party to this dispute.

Because all of you have access to power and privilege to stop this talent. And can help to ensure that production companies are putting ethics and integrity at the heart of everything they do. And that every single person involved in any programme herein, is not party to any outstanding dispute. Nor tramples over human right led organisations.

CONCLUSION

Now with all this evidence. Do any of you think that Ms Nadiya Hussain is a harmless naive talent – or one who is surrounded by extremely clever, ruthless execs and does not care about the ordinary impoverished folks of Bangladesh? I believe the latter.

And at the core of it all was Love Productions the makers of GBBO. And encouraging Ms Hussain, is also her agent Ms Anne Kibel – whom we hope is struck off for life. From representing any talent. Unless she puts right the wrong done.

It is also interesting how in the latest series of GBBO are showboating the brilliant wonderful baker Lizzie who has ADHD and Dyslexia. And of course, it’s a great way to use cooking as a means to demonstrate the wonderful capabilities of humans, regardless any condition.

I’m all for it.

But behind the scenes, Lovedesh Production chose to wilfully continue to erase and refuse to do right by Lovedesh and me. Myself who is registered disabled. As are many of the victims of Rana Plaza.

Including Ali – a disabled rickshaw driver.

And this is why I know all three – Ms Hussain, Ms Anne Kibel and Love Production are, based on the factual evidence I present, (and I am sorry to say), are being disingenuous.

How else to explain the actions towards me, Lovedesh and all the vulnerable communities that I have been supporting since 2008.

They don’t seem to give a damn. And they only push forward vulnerabilities, of talent – who will stand to earn them income. Even at the expense of others.

They have resorted to ghosting me yet again in 2021 – in a desperate attempt that this will go away. But it won’t.

I simply do not have any mercy or compassion, certainly not for any individual or her money hungry representatives who have refused to provide a response. And have ghosted me.

And I wish to remind you of this adage. “All it takes for evil to flourish is for good people to do nothing.”

I know it is hard for society to accept evidence of a beloved public personality whom they adulate, is in fact, behind the scenes are very different person.

I too was shocked. But then I’m reminded of the famous Booker T Washington quote.

I think he is referring to the pattern of disingenuous folks relying on becoming so “untouchable” that the majority protects them, and why this then permits them to feel they can behave poorly in private.

Again I reiterate.

Should you choose to ignore Lovedesh polite request for assistance, refuse to see evidence, regrettably I then hold each of you complicit. I will not give up sharing evidence.

And it then continues to snowball as perhaps you then become liable for misleading others, who in the future may choose to work with this talent, who perhaps will then hold you liable for not having taken action, to stop such talent profiteering at the expense of Lovedesh and the poorest communities it serves.

I look forward to your response.

Yasmin Choudhury

CEO/Founder of Lovedesh

The post OPEN LETTER : WHY GBBO WINNER NADIYA HUSSAIN, ITS CREATORS LOVE PRODUCTION & AGENT ANNE KIBEL OF AK MANAGEMENT MUST STOP appeared first on Lovedesh.

Open Letter To Barclays

Lovedesh Team — Sat, 13 Nov 2021 23:01:48 +0000

Open letter to Barclays

Mark Brookes,

Barclays Senior Executive Customer Relations Manager.

Cc The Board of Barclays & Institutional Investors & Share Action.

& Mr Jes Staley via his lawyer Kathleen Harris, Partner & Head Of The Crime Team, Arnold & Porter.

https://home.barclays/who-we-are/structure-and-leadership/leadership/

So let me try and get this correct?

Barclays Bank former chief executive Jes Staley, was able to give banking services to Jeffrey Epstein. After he was convicted in 2008.

But Lovedesh, my not for profit company, helping the poorest and fighting climate change, under Mr Staley’s stewardship, was stripped of its business bank account.

After I complained in May 2021. About being bullied by Barclays Buisness Banking. During the pandemic for a few measly hundred pounds. It also contained bank charges. I think. And I had asked that perhaps a compensation offer, that had been offered to me by Barclays for past failures in 2015, over my personal accounts that got shut down through no fault of my own, be used. To cover the sums.

But it seems we got shut down without notice in June 2015.

Huh.

So I hear it is all hands on deck at Barclays. How is it going?

Are you all ok?

Given the incredible evidence emerging news, about your former chief executive Mr Jes Staley, since he resigned on 1 Nov and in the past 24 hours.

I can now see why I feel you don’t want to be seen anywhere near me. Not interested in resolving mine and Lovedesh’s complaint.

Of decades worth of discrimination, failures and breaches of GDPR. And much much more.

It is a veritable ticking bomb waiting to go off.

And since you also have admitted in your own written words, that Lovedesh’s bank account was shut down, without your knowledge. I expect it’s easier to kick out a business owner like me, and wait for me to haul myself up. Perhaps in the hope I never get up.

I appreciate you now instruct my only course of action left is towards the Financial Ombudsman.

What that means is, you have refused to choose to resolve this within the banks complaints procedure and protocol.

I feel it is perhaps quite a desperate tactic. As perhaps you and your staff plan to keep me and Lovedesh quite busy, submitting all the evidence. To the ombudsman.

But you fail to understand this.

The connection between shutting down the Lovedesh bank account and your bank’s fight with its former chief executive Mr Jes Staley. And how Evil Epstein is now a key factor to the story of me, a small business owner and my banking problems.

First.

Thanks. But No thanks.

Nope.

I decline the invitation and opportunity given to me by you, to become quite the busy little bee, in running to get FO involved.

Not at this stage.

Nah.

I’m going to make sure I publicly invite your board and institutional investors to do the right thing.

Should that fail.

Then and only then, I will go and bring it to the Financial Ombudsman.

Do you know why?

Because I would prefer the Financial Ombudsman’s time to be spent helping those who really, really need it.

You know, the citizens who might be disabled, broke, destitute, sick and ill who have been done over by your bank. Or being pursued for money they do not have and cannot pay.

Because I exist.

I know other business owners and personal account holders will have also suffered at the hands of Barclays.

I’ve also begun to notice now, the proliferation of organisations, in professional sectors that are regulated, who having undertaken wrongdoing, quickly insist on us complainants going to the ombudsman.

“What on earth is all that about?“ I thought to myself today.

As I ate a lunch of poached eggs and baked beans, made by my beloved daughter. Donated to us by the food bank Dons Local.

Who were contacted by Vanessa, the founder of Focus 4 1 , a local charity helping the disabled, asking that they provide me with basic essentials. Given my status as a vulnerable adult. But also she heard of my misfortune of not being able to do my job, simply due to the actions and trauma at the hands of those who wish to destroy a Lovedesh. And she wanted to do whatever she could, to help me to continue trying to protect people and planet.

Because I certainly don’t earn any income nor do I have enough savings.

I’m on the DWP Enterprise Allowance Scheme. Yes, the British taxpayer has been subsidising me. After I, a tax paying citizen, who was working all her life, was left with an invisible disability and incapable of working due to often having to be ill. All because of man-made trauma at the hands of others.

You know the usual trauma. Victim of crime, having greedy, sociopathic bosses who sacked me for no good reason when they wanted to get rid of a working single mother who complained about a change in job role that would leave her unable to care for her child. But also caused by sexual assaults, bullying, domestic violence, physical violence. And being ripped off and fleeced by dodgy companies who took advantage of me as a frantic single mother, to sign me into stuff I did not agree to. Often I was too tired and exhausted after having been left all alone by the father of her child, since 2003, etc etc.

So much so that, a few years ago, my own body began attacking itself. As it has been left in a constant state of permanent stress. Anxiety.

Often my brain and body cannot perceive and distinguish between a threat and a non-threat.

And of course there are now physical limitations.

But even though I was told I need not work, that I can just collect money from DWP as I am that sick, I declined.

My reply was “no – thanks – I might be disabled but I want to work to get my own income via Lovedesh.”

And I plan to fight this illness and perhaps be the first person to recover from this trauma, while being a a business leader. And in doing so, I know it will give hope to many others in the same boat. Left sick, traumatised and disabled not because of a medical problem but because of a human problem.

And that one day “my greatest dream of all is to pay back the British taxpayers.”

As they should not have to cover paying for me. I think those who did this to me should. And that includes Barclays. Yes. Your bank.

And ever since that day, when I was awarded payment, I have felt so under pressure, even though I am sick, I’ve been racing to make sure that through Lovedesh, I can earn enough for myself and give back. And pay back.

This means I create jobs and boost incomes of others like me, in the UK. And those across the world, worse off, particularly in the global south, who are often forced to work in sweatshops. Being modern day slaves and servants to greedy landowning families like mine (Ali Nagor Choudhurys), to stitching fast fashion that almost killed then and killed thousand of others.

Moving on now.

I simply couldn’t fathom, why so many dodgy companies, watched over by independent Regulators, now rush to kick out a serious complaint, don’t even care the evidence of wrong doing is so huge, and instead urge us to go and involve an external, independent organisation

Hmmmm…

I think I figured it out.

I truly had that Eureka moment.

Here goes.

– it is the pandemic, and therefore there is a huge delay and backlog – it’ll be ages before I get a resolution.

– less staff and remote/hybrid working due to Covid 19. Means less time to look at stuff. And less ombudsman staff working.

– The amount of time to bring Complaints to Ombudsman is in its self a huge of massive use of resources – be it time and loss of time making money

– you know I’m disabled. I have an invisible disability so therefore it requires a greater degree of time effort and energy. To get it across. After all, I don’t have access to an admin team who will help me. But Barclays does.

– it is also a lottery. Perhaps Barclays is relying on someone not doing their job properly at the Ombudsman.

or perhaps Barclays is waiting for me to drop dead, and then it all goes away. Never again to see the light of Day.
You also must know I have limited resources. Have no business bank account. I may probably submit a patchy complaint.

Data request for me to compile all my evidence based on data from the Bank, will probably take 30 days. Even longer.
Evidence Lovedesh was destroyed by Barclays is hard to obtain. For example, I can’t contact the bank anymore, as a former banking customer and the app has shut down.

Yet somehow despite all the above, you still recommended me, to be spending my valuable time, during Xmas 2021 (which was supposed to be time spent selling our wonderful ethical sustainable fashion and food), instead to compile a case of complaint to be reviewed by the ombudsman, which you and I know, will take several months.

Time. Money. Etc.

I must say when I saw your email I just laughed. Sorry. I did though. In exasperation as well as mirth.

I kept swivelling my head left and right.

I simply couldn’t believe what I read.

Since the story broke, since yesterday (12 November), Barclays I see is busy dealing with the fallout of your former CEO Jes Taylor and the story of his 1, 200 emails with Jeffrey Epstein.

And his use of the phrase “Snow White”. In emails to Evil Epstein!!!

What on earth does that mean. Nobody seems to know. This unique parlance is a code. A moniker.

And we all know this. Whenever there is a “Monica” there is Epstein. (Sorry for the lame joke?

Of course, given this is a public letter, it is very important to state that Mr Staley denies all knowledge of any criminal activity. And that in a press statement regarding Mr Staley’s departure, after five years at the helm if leading Barclays, they too reiterated that at no time has there been any conclusive proof to suggest this not to be true.

But then I look at my crowdfunding campaign for a Lovedesh. Of how Barclays and many others ruined my plans to raise money, open a flagship store in London just to create jobs and boost income. Of a store, in a prestigious landmark address, that will showcase the best of sustainability in food, Fashion and Travel from around the world.

We have had fifth-generation weavers on standby, to attend a Lovedesh fashion show, which we were hoping to do in the run-up to Christmas. In order to educate the British public on the joys of shopping sustainably during Christmas.

Whom we have trained invented for over five years, and him we are so proud have helped us to create Lovedesh Muslin. The world is kindest textile in the world.

After having also created in 2019, the Lovedesh T, the world is kind of T-shirt in the world. Made 100% organic cotton. By women in a worker led factory in Bangladesh.

We had the lawyers lined up. For the store. And should this story break, I know they will confirm that this is true.

We had the prestigious property lined up. In order to put in an offer.

But all of that fell through.

Because of greedy greedy companies and individuals.

And it’s not just Barclays, who is partly responsible but many others.

All of which is documented in my memoirs, due to be published on YouTube called a Lovedesh 10+ files. The decade link story of how I, an ordinary single mother, in extraordinary circumstances began to create Lovedesh. And the highs and horrors of it all.

And I’m so heartbroken, I’m so sick of it all, I sat down and wrote to you. And decided that we would take a battle public now. And that I don’t care about anyone who judges my decision. Or chooses to criticise me, because in doing so, my simple message to them is, I would not want to do business with them if they are feeling uncomfortable at having to listen to what really goes on, behind-the-scenes, of those of us who genuinely and sincerely are pursuing the active mission of protecting people and planet

So let’s go.

FYI.

Barclays will have to deal with the fall out of being found to wilfully hurt people and planet.

Because it hurt Lovedesh.

Barclays will have to handle the fact that this is a joint complaint not just for me, but also the victims of Rana Plaza. who have made it very clear that anyone who hurts Lovedesh, hurts them.

See video.

Xxx

You and Ms McKay (who was copied in), were personally informed in writing yesterday (13 November) that there is a banner hanging with Barclays logo, being waived outside of the ruins of the former Rana Plaza factory.

Yet you have said nothing.

I am incandescent with hurt that you wrote to me as you did, after you have led me and Lovedesh on a wild goose chase, while your former chief executive I now learn, has been given a golden handshake.

What in the COP26 is this?!?

Read my Lips. I’m not going away. Nor is Lovedesh.

I will ensure everyone knows what Barclays did to Lovedesh. I myself am a woc, female entrepreneur, survivor of domestic violence and sexual assault.

I didn’t survive all of that, in order to have Barclays come along and attempt to keep us down.

And I pray and hope soon, a host of Charities and many others will, I hope, start cancelling or challenging Barclays.

In its decision to refuse to help me. A survivor. And Lovedesh.

As well as many more. Such as your institutional investors. And shareholders.

Who I think and hope will also take a very serious and dim view of any form of unethical conduct with regard to VAWG (violence against women and girls). Especially given it is International Day Of Elimination Of The Violence Against Women & Girls. On 25 November 2021. Almost 2 weeks away.

And why I have also copied some of them in.

Bear with me, it will take some time to know exactly who all the institutional investors are.

So anyone reading this open letter, who knows who they are, I hope you can assist me. Either by leaving names in the comments below.

Or better still, please take the link to this open letter, and forward it to them for me. Because again, my time and resources are very limited.

I must say I have been rather impressed with some of your institutional investors. It’s nice to know, that some of them do really care about the planet.

I found from my research that in an article by Chief Investment Officer, dated January 13, 2020, “institutional investors call for Barclays to end fossil fuel financing”.

And that “Managers of more than $170 billion say banks lags behind peers in climate action.”

And it appears that a proposal put forward by Barclays board, to become a net zero bank by 2050, helped appease the investors.

And I came across this story only today and of the wonderful charity ShareAction. Whom I am most impressed with.

Because we plan to write to this organisation to show evidence of Barclays and all the organisations and companies; who have been helping to destroy people and planet, by destroying those of us seeking to protect it.

Because at the very least, I think my story will be of interest to many. Be it women, beat other sustainable business owners. Be it survivors.

At the very least, I know people will mention it and discuss it. And festival, it is left in perpetuity, on the Lovedesh website, so that people can read it 24x 7, any time they wis. h

Your awful email, as well as the actions of all the others in the Lovedesh Hall Of Horrors, has also gotten me to start thinking that perhaps there should be a pledge, by institutionalised investors, not to be investing in those who are found to be directly or indirectly complicit in hurting women and girls.

In any way.

For example, Barclays continued to hire and pay Mr Staley, after evidence of his first wrong doing. First over a whistleblower. Whom he attempted to unmask.

And then, you employed him, knowing he was in charge of JP Morgan. And has Evil Epstein as a client. While I have no idea, when any of you found out, he was his bank, Barclays certainly did get told in the summer of 2019. When it’s Board were definitely informed, on a voluntary basis by Mr Staley, that he had visited Evil Epstein in prison, even after his 2008 conviction, in order to continue providing him with banking services.

Because that is what JP Morgan chose to do. Under Mr Staley’s stewardship.

It is unfathomable. That all this happened. Yet Lovedesh is bank account was shut down without notice in June 2021. Straight after issuing a complaint.

I cannot thank you enough for getting me so upset yesterday, so much so, that I went on a Google search.

And found more news had broken. Of Mr Staley’s 1,200 emails to Evil Epstein. Prior to his joining Barclays. During his role as a banker to Evil Epstein.

It appears that all these emails were handed over to regulatory bodies by his previous employer JP Morgan.

And now to COP 26.

It is over, but here is evidence of what protecting people and planet really looks like.

This email.

And why it needed to be published. Because I will not have anyone stating that I nor anyone at Lovedesh have any malicious intent.

I did not want my complaint to go public. I did everything I could. Because all I want to do is Lovedesh. I don’t want to fight anyone. I don’t want to be in dispute. But if I have to, I will. Because that is also what is involved when it comes to protecting people on planet. And if anyone thinks, otherwise, then you are mistaken.

If in the pursuit of protecting people on planet, someone has not demonstrated to me, any form of dispute, know this.

They are more than likely a charlatan. Or, they are taking money to keep quiet. Or they represent the interests of those who want to continue harming people and planet. Or they turn a blind eye.

End of.

The more disputes one has had, in the pursuit to protect people and planet. The more genuine and sincere.

And I’ve been helped into this robust thought leadership thanks to the brilliance of former black congresswoman, Shirley Chisholm. Whom I stumbled across a few days ago. And I am really upset that the world doesn’t know about her.

Given she was the first ever woman and black person to run for president but somehow everyone thinks it’s Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama respectively.

It is not.

To keep this private, I even reached out to my former colleague. As I assumed there would be a swift resolution and I could return to the business of protecting people on planet via Lovedesh.

But nope.

And so another purpose of publishing is to show the moral courage needed, in having to write this way. Even though it is uncomfortable and distressing.

I want this open letter to at the very least demonstrate, what it looks like when an ordinary lone woman, a mother, is up there on her own, holding powerful banks accountable.

It means this. Never compromising. Even if it leaves me broke. When it comes to protecting people on planet.

It means this. Holding truth to power. Even if it means it will make others uncomfortable.

It means also this.

Not to worry about how others perceive you or may deem you a trouble maker, if that which you do, is in the interest of protecting people and planet.

How many get awards for this? None. Is there any competition for being a disruptor or perhaps a whistleblower? Or in fighting to uphold ethics?

I don’t think so.

But I had to go public so that many more understand, that if this is happening to me, it happened to others. And that, to take out sustainable businesses, especially up to the run up and during Cop 26, is wrong. Because banking services are extremely critical to the survival of pioneering business leaders like me, who rely on access to financial services to sustain ourselves. And our business.

Our entire crowdfunding campaign was destroyed because we had no bank account.

And why it is in the public interest to learn what banks like Barclays are doing, to kick and destroy small business owners. Who reached out privately. During pandemic. And up to and during COP 26.

I also expect that Barclays were busy spreading themselves all over COP26. And should I find out this is the case, I will put in a personal request that they be banned from attending such summits and organisations.

Christmas is coming up.

And I feel a metaphor coming on.

It’s akin of having the innkeeper slamming the door on baby Jesus but then proclaiming to all and sundry in his village, just how much they want to save babies and toddlers. I don’t think he would’ve been popular back then nor popular today.

Yes?

As protecting people and planet isn’t private jets, fancy summits, it isn’t platitudes and it certainly isn’t just talking to talk.

Heck, just because I do this work, doesn’t mean I don’t enjoy the nice things in life. Nobody is perfect. And that’s why I, as Chief Executive of Lovedesh I’m never having a public go at fast fashion brands or say gas guzzling machines.

But what I do have to is be walking the walk. My focus has always been on providing solutions. Not in taking down those, who haven’t yet found a solution. And can only churn out what they know best, in order to put food on the table. For their workers.

I was just asking Barclays do do the basic knuckle work of not trying to “kick a dog when it’s down.” We already have so many trying to take us down. So many charlatans and liars. Misleading the public and industries by greenwashing and “people washing” – my term for green or sustainable initiatives that harm workers or rely on modern day slavery.

Everyone is now scrambling and jumping on the bandwagon, to be seen as sustainable. But not many seem to have real credentials.

And why we were racing to open our London store. Because we believe, showing and seeing is doing and believing.

Many have resources, many have teams working on solutions, yet not many have done the world first pioneering work that I, and the people who work alongside me at Lovedesh, I’ve done. All on a shoestring budget funded solely by me. So that I can remain “unbought and unbossed”. The slogan during Ms Chisholm’s Presidential bid.

Lovedesh has been doing it all alone since 2008. When I, a single mother with my seven-year-old daughter by my side, a survivor of domestic violence, began my journey.

Unlike many pretenders or charlatans, we do not do it for ego. Money. I’ve yet to pay a single penny into my bank account, in wages.

We generally do it to prove this. That by having Lovedesh, with no investors, fully self funded by me, with products we will then sell – to help us become sustainable, we are better placed to undertake work to protect this planet better.

In order to rescue modern day slaves and fast fashion garment workers from horrid sweatshops.

And yet at no point, Barclays knowing all of this, (as it is in the public domain), helped. It has continued to behave in such a way. To hurt us.

And the final straw that broke the camel’s back, is that once again, on 12th November, 2021, on the last day of COP26 – seeing you, as its senior customer relations manager, cannot do a single thing. To stop our demise.

But get this. Yes you can pay £2.4 million and pension to Jes Staley – the man who chose to visit Epstein in prison. Even after he has resigned from Barclays.

Goodness gracious.

What impression do you think Barclays letters and your refusal to assist, has also meant for my young daughter, Amber Choudhury-Kaye, who at the age of seven, began life as a social entrepreneur. She is now 20, and the assistant creative director at Lovedesh. And all she has witnessed is her mother, fighting and fighting and fighting and fighting. On behalf of people on planet in order to stop my own blood family, individuals, Charities, banks, many organisations in attempting to take me down,

It was upon my recommendation Amber even opened her account with Barclays. As I explained that because I had a banking business relationship, it’s a good idea to try and keep banking loyalty.

Call me old-fashioned. But that’s what my late father also did. And why I did the same with my daughter. Maybe I’m stupid but I thought it might mean something.

Clearly not.

But what impression do you also think Barclays are also leaving, upon getting me to go and communicate to all the various vulnerable groups and communities, that we have been working with since 2008, to tell them we have no business bank account.

That we cannot make any sales. And that our summer and Christmas launches have been sabotaged not only by Barclays but by cohort of many, who simply refused to do what was asked of them. To stop being fake. Or to stop wanting our demise. Or stop being deceitful and greedy. By attempting to appropriate my original work. Which is also not even having to go out of their way!

Let’s now look at the group of people, Barclays is expecting me to communicate this refusal to give us a bank account.

During Xmas. Enduring the worlds worst ever global pandemic in modern times.

When many have had to do without food, water and basic Human rights such as education.

Rural villagers

Village women fleeing violence.

Tailors seamstresses.

Rana Plaza SARDs (survivors and relatives of the dead)

Disabled rickshaw drivers

Applicants to the Govt DWP Kickstarter scheme

British School kids – whom we are mentoring and delivering speeches to in the next week. Regarding our work on sustainability.

Schoolkids in Bangladesh.

There are many many more. Whom I have been helping and are listed in the Lovedesh whole of happiness as well as through my niche, self-funded Amcariza Foundation.

It has been exhausting.

Writing an email such as these, I really don’t like it.

Because my time could be spent doing something else regarding Lovedesh.

I think it’s really sad.

Time consuming.

But most of all it’s really awful that I’ve had to name you. But that’s because you are someone senior.

You had the opportunity to whistle blow. Or to Help.

Add the fact Lovedesh, as a business is also about skills and business growth. Boosting income. Fighting the poverty gap. Creating jobs. Not just in the UK but globally.

And so it is reasonable of me to also expect my former colleague Kirstie McKay, the managing director of Citizenship and Consumer Affairs, to do something. As I’m surprised, that having reached out to her, I’m now wondering if she knew about what has happened to us.

I am now going she will wade in help. Given that Kirstie is also part of the BIC (Business In The Community) Leadership Taskforce Team. And herself deemed an expert in defining banking strategy on issues such as financial inclusion, financial difficulty, accessibility and vulnerability customers.

Here is a link.

Xxx

Because I know this much. When I reached out to her in May 2021, she immediately helped me get to you. And was very quick to respond.

And I really hope that Kirsty, continues to help Lovedesh. I’m going to place every confidence in her that she will. Until and unless I hear otherwise from her.

And so now by forcing me to go public on this matter (because you left me no choice), I really hope to make Barclays understand to take me seriously.

There has to be financial penalties for this course of action undertaken towards Lovedesh.

I as CEO of Lovedesh ask Barclays you must pay up.

I seek £11.36 Million. In compensation. In damages.

Barclays to act as a guarantor or help me find someone else, for our business premises leave. Who will be involved in helping us open a store in a prestigious part of London
A further £1.36 million for my weavers and Lovedesh Rana Plaza Victims Group. That will help them establish their careers and a medical fund. As well as help me to bring some of them across on a business trip, to attend not only our store opening but also to give demonstrations and talks.

I’m not going to stop fighting.

You chose to lose the opportunity for Barclays to keep this behind-the-scenes, after I came to you in good faith

It is also necessary, to ask for this financial compensation in order to ensure you think twice about doing this to anyone else.

I also want Society to wake up and look at who is running it all.

My experience with Barclays (and many many others) helps to provide evidence that will conclude I think, in the minds of most good people, that most of society today, is being run by sociopaths. The bullies. The greedy. And trust me it’s not just banks, I’ve come across charities and many do-gooders

Because if those who will even directly and indirectly consort with rapists. Such as Barclays. Its staff.

Then what hope do we have for society

I appreciate the fact that your former Chief Executive has expressed regret. But that has come with hindsight and after knowledge of Evil Epstein‘s second arrest. Not the first time.

And to some degree, I’m beginning to understand how the rich and elite, cannot spot obvious unethical contact. Because here is my rationale. They’re probably all at it!

We’ve heard of even Bill Gates keeping company. As has Bill Clinton.

And I’m so disappointed and if this post ever gets to them, I hope they, as well as Mr Staley – Will at the very least, support the work that Lovedesh is doing.

Because even in the most heinous crime, or wrong doing, we cannot change the past, we can change the future. There is always hope for any of us, to learn and continue to grow

Because until we do so, and see evidence of this happening, the pattern will keep repeating itself over and over and over.

And to give credit to Mr Staley, I find it interesting that he has instructed his solicitor to inform us all, he had attempted to explain his relationship. With Evil Epstein. Voluntarily.

But my question is this, to Mr Staley. As a survivor, “why would you not have revealed this prior to you joining Barclays?”

As surely, ethical auditing is undertaken. I generally think that there may be merit in the idea that Mr Staley refused to accept, he had done anything wrong. And why would he. Because I’m sure all of his banking colleagues, were continuing to endorse him.

Now, he’s understanding the trauma and tragedy of suddenly becoming untouchable. And perhaps he is having to suffer the horror of finding those who Once Upon a Time, Audley stood by him, fleeing away.

A twist in the tail is I myself have worked for Barclays and recall the huge vetting I had to undergo.

And so now I am of course thinking this “who at the bank knew of Mr Staley’s friendship with Jeffrey?”

I bet many new.

And we know as his poor executive assistant, would have managed his diary. But perhaps, they and many others, didn’t have a robust enough whistleblowing procedure to alert anyone. Because had I been working there, I would’ve assumed, that the senior management and all the board would have undertaken strict procedures. To vet him.

But then having seen, that even after his attempts to on mask a whistleblower, and being fined and much more, the bank still stood by him, who on earth was going to ever have the courage to speak up?

How do your ethical breaches play out at Barclays? Does Barclays not check to ensure they keep to strong ethics. Is this not audited?

Or does Barclays just wait for senior management to screw up? How? What?

Surely the shareholders should order an investigation.

How much will staff even be encouraged to Whistleblow? In the future. And how many staff have whistleblown? And why was more not done to protect the whistleblowers, who Mr Staley attempted to unmask. By introducing a zero tolerance policy

Not much I think.

And yet Barclays continued to financially support its former CEO after Evil Epstein was arrested.

Again. I repeat. Barclays paid him £2.4 million payout. Mr Staley is already worth £5 million!

Yet the same back has refused to support Lovedesh. With a bank account and few hundred pounds.

And I think that in any claim for compensation, I should now present evidence

And if why I’m even more angry, having found out about the actions of Barclays and that of its former chief executive.

All of which I only found out late night yesterday when I went on a Google search, looking his name up. And was shocked to discover news of reference to the phrase “Snow White”.

A Guardian article states that “Staley took his own yacht, the Bequia, to visit Epstein’s private Caribbean island.

And that “Staley volunteered to explain his ties to Epstein to Barclays in summer 2019, when media reports cast a fresh spotlight on their relationship.”

https://amp.theguardian.com/business/2021/nov/12/jess-staley-ex-barclays-boss-emails-jeffrey-epstein-reports

If Mr Staley volunteered this information, what was the bank doing, in cutting him off. Only because of two reasons

A preliminary report by regulators FCA & Prudential Regulatory found there was concerns of the account provided Mr Staley.
Mr Staley has chosen to reject the findings. And to seek to clear his name relates to these concerns.

I think its best I go and find out from Jes Staley’s lawyer. Kathleen Harris of Arnold & Porter.

Because as much as I disagree with the actions undertaken by Mr Staley, it must be galling to learn the Board changed their mind and would not stand by him.

All this I couldn’t believe quite what I was reading. And given that I’m gearing up to publish my memoirs Lovedesh 10+ Files, on YouTube – in time for the international day of violence against women and girls.

I wrote this open letter.

Barclays is the gift that keeps on giving. In terms of screw ups.

Let us look at a timeline.

And look at how I get treated. Versus Mr Staley.

of course I’m not killing anyone. I know I’m nothing. To the bank. That I represent no value.

But can you imagine a world, pivoted, whereby, organisations like Lovedesh, are the ones who are given value. Even over and above the likes of its CEOs. And instead of looking at the lights of the Chief Executive‘s, as a true stewards of the organisation, they look at the people, customers and clients, bringing our custom to them.

Imagine such a world.

Imagine a world with banking is being done, not because of who you are, and how much money you make, but because of the value you bring to the world.

And I know Triodos is out there but unfortunately they are not taking any new applications.

Anyhow here is a timeline. Bear with me. I hope you haven’t lost patience and if you have I apologise. But it is very interesting to note the actions by Barclays event contrasted with how the bank behaved towards Lovedesh.

In April 2014, I was misled a miss sold into an IVA. Given I was a survivor of domestic violence, and a previous dispute with O2, who had, fraudulently entered me into a mobile phone contract. With my young daughter. And then they secretly added data roaming charges, so that when she was abroad, flying alone, and lost it. It was picked up by a thief in Bangladesh. Who then made series of calls.

I only found out when a bill arrived for me, in April 2014. And I was shocked to see were several hundred pounds. I called 02 to complain. Coin desperately saying that I can’t afford it. And that I couldn’t pay. But what did O2 do?

They immediately marked my credit score. And in autumn 2014, as I attempted to remortgage in order to fund Lovedesh, I was rejected.

My entire financial history began to be destroyed. By April 2015, my life as a survivor of domestic violence went from bad to worse. I was being hounded by my family.

And in April 2015, on the advice of charities and those who work with charities, I was recommended into entering into an IVA, without understanding the implications for me and a personal basis as well as business.

I was told there was no option and I recall writing and begging and pleading Barclays for help. Even offering up my house. They refused.

Even after 25 years of impeccable personal finance history, and being a premier customer, they refused me help.

Throughout all this time I was calling and begging and pleading Barclays for help. Nothing was forthcoming.

And so I started the IV, in attempt to save money to continue funding Lovedesh. From my own pocket.

In April 2015, my own blood family travelled to Bangladesh.

And between them and my male cousins, in order to teach me a lesson, they destroyed all my projects and everything I’d been doing in the name of Lovedesh and my charity Amcariza foundation.

Threatened and bullied volunteers. And field staff.

And remonstrated against me because I, in my 40s had not asked their permission.

This includes, my deceitful own British solicitor sister Nazmin Choudhury of NC Law. My own brother Naz Choudhury. My own sister Nazrin Choudhury, who is currently writing the script for a huge Hollywood blockbuster movie. And my own twin sister Jasmin Choudhury who until recently was the vice chair of Gingerbread, a charity for single parents.

And Faisal Ahmed Choudhury and Fahim Ahmed Chowdhury, two of my male cousins, behind a major energy company in Bangladesh called Barak Power.

My daughter and I became homeless in July 2015. On her birthday. My family were helped by the metropolitan police. And as I stood, clutching close in the middle of a London Street, crying and sobbing and attempting to explain the damage that has been done to me, Lovedesh, I found no empathy.

No help.

Summer 2015 – I believe Mr Staley took his own personal yacht and sailed to Evil Epstein’s private island with his wife

Mr Staley joined as CEO in Dec 2015. So probably why he was having a brilliant Christmas, I spent the autumn of 2015, in and out, sleeping in all kinds of places. Thankfully I never managed to sleep on the street. And why it is called “hidden homeless”.

Between 2015 and 2017, my daughter and I remained unofficially without a home. I was in deep mental distress and honestly, it’s all a financial blur.

July 2017

I finally managed to return to my only property. And slowly spent time between then and until the start of the pandemic, recovering and slowly rebuilding Lovedesh from scratch.

July 2019

Evil Epstein is arrested.

August 2019

Mr Staley offered more info on his relationship with Epstein. Evil Epstein dies in his cell.

December 2019

The regulatory investigation by the PRA and FCA was launches.

March 2020

We enter into our first pandemic.

July 2020

Members of my family are up to their old tricks. And have begun to persecute more people out in Bangladesh. including hurting and bullying a poor man. As well as attempting to make some of them homeless.

May 2021

Barclays Business Banking pursue me for outstanding balance because it appears I’ve gone into overdraft.

I repeatedly asked for assistance and I’m not giving it. Except being told that the most they can do is try and halt temporary pursuit.

May 2021.

I bring my complaint to Kirsty McKay, a former colleague.

10 May 2021

Barclays you write to me to confirm you will begin investigating my complaints. And state that “ I am a member of Barclays Executive Complaints Team to review complaints raised to very senior colleagues, and I’ve been asked to look into your complaint”.

15 June 2021

Account closed – unknown to Lovedesh and to you.

30 September 2021

You sent me a letter via post. Not by email. Offering me £200. And then tell me to find alternative banking arrangements.

How. Where?

Do you know we have been declined by Monzo. I suspect because our credit score has been impacted by your bank.

1 November 2021

Jes Staley resigns.

You as a bank had a duty to inform us.

As it is extremely unethical.

I think the media are going to have a field day. If this went public.

And why am immediately writing to your Chief Executive to order an investigation into the ethics. And conduct of its own complaint department.

The dodgy sadly, are everywhere. Even in charities and political parties like the Labour Party.

But as I complete chapters in my memoirs, there is a pattern that plays over and over and over. And it is the behaviour of humans when wrongdoing is made apparent. And sadly they demonstrate their own lack of skills to equip them.

With how to manage and handle such a situation.

So you can try and quote all the odd words you have thrown into your email, and also about your own limitations.

But I will remind you of this adage over and over again.

First. “ all it takes for evil to flourish is for good people to do nothing“

Next. This quote. Very clever chap. One of the last ever to have been born to a U.S. slave woman.

Booker T Washington. Fascinating.

Your entire handling has been a mistake. You left to go on holiday and you didn’t really give a duty of care.

You made promises that you did not keep. You did not follow the complaint protocol properly.

You don’t understand the enormity of the failures of it all, nor the breaches as well as the horrific demonstration of trampling over good work, good soups and of course diversity and inclusivity. Then to do it all during COP26 – is tragic.

And with the international day of elimination of violence against women and girls, coming up on the 25th of November 2021, you wrote as you did.

It is clear that while you were exploring my complaint, you didn’t even know what the Business Banking team are doing.

I trusted you. And while I was busy rescuing projects and fighting so many battles on behalf of the vulnerable communities, you chose to bizarrely drop a letter by post.

But not email.

After having discovered the death knell in shutting down Lovedesh.

At no point did you make it clear that by bringing a complaint to you, it would then result in the Lovedesh bank account being shut down. Because a very logical expectation would be that you would be talking to the Businessbanking team. But of course your emails and out evidence to show, no such conversation ever took place. And you had no idea they would shut us down. And that you thought it was important to blithely pass this fact onto us

I repeat again – all over a couple of measly hundred pounds? Do you not think we could’ve found this amount?

I’ve self funded Lovedesh entirely.

Every now and then if we need money in a crisis, we can go to our loyal community. We have the greatest of all business mentors.

And we have always managed over nine years, to stay afloat. Even with horrendous people ripping us off, stealing from us, depriving us of income. In a bit to prevent Lovedesh from becoming established.

Because I am leading the world’s first ever Ethical Luxury Fashion and which has human rights and the protection of the planet woven straight into the core of everything we do.

And white gives me great pleasure to know how terrified and hated I am by many. But of course I am always reminded yet again of another brilliant mind, who happened to be black and was the first black person to be elected to US Congress and the first woman ever to run for president.

Shirley Chisholm in 1972 talked about having to endure the slurs and horrors, in her attempt to change what she calls are “the beneficiaries of the system”.

This is what Ms Chisholm said back then.

“I realise that this is a rough road, but a catalyst for change in a society, is usually persona non-grata with those who have been the beneficiaries of the system.”

She later became the first woman to run for president. Under the slogan of “Unbought & Unbossed”.

But of course we all think it is Hillary Clinton, when it is not.

Again erasure. By white society.

I do not allow any investors in, to prove value in growing a new business model itself.

Purely on sales. And I plan to stay “unbought”. Like Ms Chisholm.

I am undertaking a huge experiment to demonstrate, that by putting people and planet first, in that order, rather than profit first, the way forward for the future of our planet’s survival, is to DO the right thing.

We don’t understand why nobody contacted us.

But what is bizarre is Barclays public commitment to claim to care about the community and entrepreneurship. Yes behind-the-scenes is busy kicking in the head of the only organisation in the world endorsed by garment workers creating sustainable solutions for people and planet.

Perhaps if the bank was keeping a close eye on what it’s senior executives were doing outside of professional life, you would’ve ended up with a chief executive who has had to resign.

But if you don’t even know what your senior management are doing, it’s no surprise, those lower down the ladder, are cavorting away.

You as an individual should be worried about Shareen Qureshi, a dodgy, rogue member of staff, parading around, pretending to care about philanthropy, putting on an external event.

These are basic checks and balances every organisation must do. Nobody is born bad. But we become bad because the structure enables wrongdoing to flourish.

I also had this new thought. Perhaps you feel anxious because Ms Qureshi is a hijabi? Lucky for me I’m Muslim. I’m not scared of Muslims, who dress visibly as such, who secretly are unethical.

The bizarre poster of her in glam evening wear and a handbag, says it

This philanthropy that everyone is showboating is ego led.

It’s not the first time I’ve come across what I’m calling “Pick Me Browns”. Or for example “Banjo Browns”. So desperate to be in mainstream, that they are busy trampling over their own community. Ethics. In their March to the top.

This peculiar affliction is most redolent in politics, arts, banking, legal and charity sectors. The preserve of white privilege.

And I know it comes from a place of insecurity, exhaustion of trying to make it in a very white, privileged middle class world. I have some compassion and pity but then I swivel my head and look at the vulnerable communities that Lovedesh has been working with. Who cry over and over. At the horrific life they are being forced to lead.

And of the 1136 garment workers who were killed in 2013. Some of whom were young as 13, teenage girls whose bodies have never been found.

And of the world first solutions we at Lovedesh have been creating to protect people and planet. Such as the Lovedesh Muslin – The kindest fabric in the world Lovedesh Tee. The kindest T shirt in the world.

Do you have the audacity to talk about a few hundred pounds? When Barclays net worth, as at October 20, 2021 is $47.64B!!!

And why individuals such as Ms Qureshi, in my sincere opinion, will immediately surrender all the ethics they ever knew – as they get kicked out of touch. Because so grateful are they at last, of the attention afforded to them. She dumps anyone and everyone.

It’s a bit like a woman has been so desperate for a husband, immediately rushes in, in the hopes of marriage, to a corrupt rich family, she sells out her own family. Becomes a carbon copy of the very greedy powerful structure she desire to emulate.

In essence it is internalised racism.

And I expect you have no idea what I’m talking about because you probably haven’t understood what structural racism & classism looks like. And how to prevent it.

I possess factual evidence she has conflict of interest and has trampled over Rana Plaza victims, and clearly has been hoovering up her banking contacts, to put on an external event

It is all so dodgy dodgy dodgy.

It is also clear to me you don’t have a whistleblowing procedure. Because now I bought it to your attention, you should’ve been taking steps to ensure this member of staff, is prevented.

But nope. You’ve left me, who is already a beleaguer chief executive, to do all the work that you are paid to do.

Miss Qureshi has been greedily trampling over the victims of Rana Plaza, who may I add, are disabled garment workers. It is horrific.

Does nobody care about the plight of these poor disabled victims? REALLY?!??

But then again, I just remembered, you have a chief executive who after decades of service, is stepping down because the FCA ITSELF has found he had a friendship with Jeffrey Epstein / the rapist.

The Daily Telegraph reported on the 12th of November 2021, at 7:49 pm that he use the phrase ‘snow white’ and that there is a cachet of 1200 emails between your former chief executive and a convicted paedophile Jeffrey Epstein.

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/business/2021/11/12/jes-staley-sent-epstein-mystery-snow-white-message-amid-1200/

I also suggested escalation of this to the new Chief Executive but you have refused to.

So we shall take this to him independently.

Incidentally I have evidence of Barclays sending me correspondence over matters for many years ago. A few weeks ago.

It’s all bizarre and it’s all a mess.

And of course I’ve always known the financial ombudsman is available to me. But why would I do that when I seek to try and retain a relationship with Barclays.

Not because I want to but because I have to. Now that I know of these links, it’s utterly unethical for Lovedesh to continue a business relationship.

It is a very reasonable adjustment to ask at the bank account be opened until we find another bank account.

Only because our entire banking history is there from 2012. Because I was spending time, a precious resource in protecting people and planet, rather than on a fight with my own greedy bank.

Which we have not been able to do because of my illness and also under the equalities act of 2010, it is a reasonable adjustment to have given me time. None of which your business banking Dept did. Did it?

But you are right.

I’m not going to waste my breath on you anymore.

This is snowballing into one of the biggest fights. By CEO of a not-for-profit against a global British bank.

We’re going straight to the top echelons of Barclays. I’m going to make sure Barclays pays up millions.

And you writing to me attempting to divert me to the Ombudsman was extremely unhelpful. Because I now reserve the right to go public on this. Because I feel your intentions are not ethical. And because you have been witness to breach of the FCA and more.

Your job should’ve been to whistleblower but instead you wrote me the email you did below. You should not be in such a role. If you are unable to take action on wrongdoing. Within your business banking dept.

Anyhow I attach the crowdfunding link for your organisation to deposit the monies.

Have a great weekend.

Phone.

Apologies in advance for any spelling mistakes.

On 12 Nov 2021, at 15:34, Mark Brooks wrote:

Dear Yasmin

Thank you for your email. As requested, please find attached a copy of the letter posted to you on 30 September.

I’m afraid we can’t look to reinstate the business account for Lovedesh, for the reasons outlined within my letter. For some additional context, in previous conversations with other colleagues and I, you voiced that you would only look to repay the balance on the account when you’d received compensation from Barclays for the historic points you raised to me. Given this was never a definite outcome, and any clam for compensation could only be considered by the courts to the extent that you mentioned (and for the historic points raised), I can’t see that we would have had any further movement on the repayment of the balance. While we certainly shouldn’t have closed the account without checking for the active complain, on the balance of probability I don’t believe this has materially altered the fact the account would still have been closed.

All of the other points raised in your email do not relate to Barclays, and so I hope you can appreciate these are points I’m unable to comment on. You will need to pursue these concerns independently, as it seems you’re planning to do.

I’m afraid I can’t add anything further to the response attached, and so would suggest if you remain unhappy with the outcome, you may want to consider referring to the Financial Ombudsman Service for an independent review. I appreciate this won’t be the response you hoped for, but I hope this email will clarify our position.

Kind regards

Mark Brooks LLB (Hons) (Open) | Senior Executive Customer Relations Manager | Advocacy | Barclays UK

Respect | Integrity | Service | Excellence | Stewardship
Creating Opportunities to rise

Please consider the environment before printing this email

From: Yasmin Choudhury
Sent: 12 November 2021 09:19
To: Brooks, Mark

Hello Mark

CC Kirstie Mackey

Thank you for your email below.

Please note this email is submitted not just by Lovedesh but also the Lovedesh Rana Plaza Victims Group.

Could you urgently email me the letter you sent me via post. As I note you didn’t send it via email.

I want Lovedesh bank account reinstated immediately.

Here is why.

First. I’ve copied in my former colleague.

I like to think she is a good woman – who may flag this up to the new or interim CEO. Whom I think is C S Venkatakrishnan.

Given Mr Jes Staley is found to have been connected to the rapist Jeffrey Epstein. Although no evidence that he was aware of any of the crimes undertaken by that evil filthy human.

I’m just very upset at this news, given I speak to one of the survivors, who have been impacted.

“Barclays CEO Jes Staley is shown here in 2019 in New York. The chief executive of Barclays bank has stepped down follow what that bank’s board described as a “disappointing″ report by the U.K.’s Financial Conduct authority into his past links with the late financier and sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.” Nov 1, 2021

https://www.npr.org/2021/11/01/1051116607/jes-staley-barclays-jeffrey-epstein?t=1636700185382

Hopefully Mr Venkatakrishnan, the interim CEO, can see the evidence of the disgusting disgraceful conduct undertaken by Barclays Business team and the Barclays staff members I reported – Shareen Qureshi.

In the meantime here is a video. A quick preview – of the “cyclone” coming the way of all those who hurt us.

Ta-dah – here is the Barclays logo flying high outside the collapse ruins of Rana Plaza. And scrutinising you all – are victims of Rana Plaza.

Along with many many others, who over a 10 year history – have ended up damaging and destroying the work I was doing to deliver solutions for global poverty.

All of you are now awarded a place in the Lovedesh Hall of Horrors, a list of the most corrupt, unethical and disgraceful individuals and organisations to prevented me from protecting people and planet.

From Hollywood to charities to political parties. We think it is a global scandal.

Of how I’ve sacrificed everything to help many who are so destitute, including garment workers who were killed when the Rana Plaza factory collapsed killing 1,136 workers. Mostly women. Some as young as 13 whose bodies have never been found.

We and the survivors and relatives of the dead are fed up and sickened by the greed and fakery of those with power and privilege.

Yes- Barclays has been entered into the Lovedesh Hall of Horrors. And we are due to go public and detail the entire sorry saga.

By publishing it all. As part of my memoirs. Lovedesh 10+ Files.

The Lovedesh Rana Plaza Victims Group are very upset with Barclays.

Ms Qureshi, Market Development Director, Barclays

I find it notable, that Ms Qureshi, the member of staff that I reported, for her unethical conduct, continues to front a major philanthropic conference she is hosting on Monday 15 November 2021.

Here she is.

https://sportstechglobalconference.com/

And here is she as a director.

https://find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/company/12846219/officers

Perhaps she has left Barclays?

Unsure – as it is clear she still has your bank listed as her employer on Linked In. But yet there is no mention of her role of being a director of Sports Tech Global – a private Ltd company. Is that not required under due diligence? As the Barclays Code Of Conduct requires there cannot be a conflict of interest.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/shareen-qureshi-b84766125/?originalSubdomain=uk

What is interesting is that Ms Qureshi has teamed up with a mutual business contact of mine. Mr Carlos Sousas. He only happens to be responsible for my office premises. And is the National Sales Manager Of Access Storage.

This company have chosen to evict us and change the locks. And broken the Coronavirus Act.

And when I asked Mr Sousas for his reply and help (During Cop 26 – and he knows we are a not for profit working with garment workers of Bangladesh) his reply was: “Hi Yasmin. Hope you’re well! I’m sorry but it’s out of my control. I can’t assist with access as I understand it’s quite overdue.”

Yet here he is – diving deep on “People, philanthropy and Tech”,

Funny how everyone is jumping on the bandwagon.

Well how could we pay our rent arrears when Barclays shut down our bank account? Hmm?

Then we go digging and we realised that my owner of Access Storage is also the owner of the Montcalm Hotel. And what is the relevance to Ms Qureshi – well guess who is sponsoring her event? Ahh – Carlos. As Montcalm is also owned by the same man who owns Access Storage.

I can tell you now, I personally, and politely, I’m coming after Barclays for £11.36 million in compensation.

As well as Access Storage And both Mr Qureshi and Mr Sousas.

And we will ensure we disrupt Ms Qureshi’s event – as I will not tolerate a unethical woman trampling over my idea. And the wellbeing of the poorest garment workers. As I notice she has used my idea of a eco t-shirt – something I discussed with her. Yet upon showing her the Lovedesh Tee, very quickly should ghosted me.

Hopefully by the time I have finished with Barclays, social media will be brewing as to how, you and your colleagues allowed Lovedesh bank account to be shut down. When we are the only ones in the world undertaken pioneering work. Shame on the bank.

Something I did not want – as it is not fair on us – to have to reveal we are in such crisis. It looks bad on my business and name.

But I am sick and fed up of greed and lies. And those who claim to protect people and planet but do anything but. Need to be reported. As it is in the public interest.

First Barclays destroyed my career – then it destroyed my personal finances then my business.

I asked you to listen. Help me Mark.

You did not.

But most of all Barclays did this to Lovedesh, during Corona for a few measly hundred pounds – and that is the announcement that’s going out today, on the last day of Cop 26.

As well as the outcome of a meeting with the Rana Plaza victims – who together with me will decide the fate of Barclays. Access Storage today.

The only person I want to hear from now is the new Interim chief executive.. Whom we hope will be responsible. In resolving this mess.

Next steps

I want Lovedesh bank account reinstated immediately.

As not to do so, means that we are in danger of losing a Kickstarter employee joining us.

We have also got grantS being paid to us for SMB Brexit training. Via HMRC.

I will await your decision.

It is either a yes or no – or you may ghost us. But what I do know is that I am very clear what I need to do. Whatever it is you do.

Next. Am off to write to Ms Qureshi and Mr Sousas. So please do let me know what you decide.

Regards

Yasmin Choudhury

CEO of Lovedesh

http://www.lovedesh.com

On 14 Aug 2021, at 11:14, Yasmin wrote:

Hello Mark

?!?!!!

I am deeply disappointed it has come to this.

I trusted you Mark to do the right thing.

The right thing has not been done and I hope you have a great holiday but I things will get escalated while you are abroad. 🙁

I’m so sorry this has come to this. You sounded pretty decent on the phone. But sadly your organisation Barclays has and is greedy and corrupt.

You and Barclays have left Lovedesh without a bank account.

Knowing that we and victims of Rana Plaza are on the brink of attempting to raise money to open a fashion museum and store in one of the most prestigious addresses in London. In order to celebrate the anniversary of the incredible speech delivered by Martin Luther King on the 28th of August back in the 1960s.

It actually makes me physically sick the amount of organisations and individuals who pretend to care about people and planet and claim the support black and women of colour in business. But here we have you as a bank behaving completely the opposite. And here is the evidence

And I only found out via email. When you suddenly announce my Barclays bank account had been closed. Nobody even write to me. I don’t know anything. Nobody even have the courtesy to pick up the phone. You also had a Muslim man working at a bank during Ramadan threatening me over money.

This needs to be talked about because what he may not be aware of, is that his decision to do this is at odds with his religion.

How can any of you sleep at nights?

Barclays had no right to do this and you’ve just broken equalities act 2010 which requires reasonable adjustments because being disabled, I should’ve had time.

I’ve also not had an outcome of my complaint

Instead you’re now reverting back to the complaint in 2015 which I told you was undertaken by a muppet. And I came to you in confidence saying look at it because shouldn’t go to an external party like the financial ombudsman, or people stop finding out, it’s gonna look really embarrassing for the bank.

But that’s okay. I see that you have written to confirm you continue to uphold the outcome of that complaint rather than investigate that things went wrong historically.

Next. It was reasonable for me to believe that Barclays would not close Lovedesh bank account down, while you were investigating my historical and long term complaint. But it did.

That was one of the conditions I came to you.

To have shut down Lovedesh business account. That was cruel. That is a lifeline. Not just for my business but the victims of Rana plaza.

I’ve had the bank account since 2012. I’m also due to file annual company accounts. And have computer software attached to that bank account.

Such greed and exploitation is not okay Mark and sadly not during the pandemic. But Barclays did this over what £400?!? You haven’t even to this day sent me any information which I’ve been repeatedly asking for, which is a breakdown of the charges.

This is not okay.

And I’ve already spoken to certain charities. And they are helping me to understand my rights as a disabled Chief Executive of a British company.

Hence. I’m due to declare public war on Barclays. And ask everyone to cancel your organisation using this hashtag – #BullyBarclays.

And since you have deprived and damaged my business I have every right to go public and publish whatever I want. And if your legal team want to pursue me tell them they are welcome to do so, because then I will raise a legal crowdfunding campaign. To fight back.

Also I will tell every start up, every charity, every philanthropic foundation not to touch your bank.

And Barclays has already entered into the Lovedesh Hall of Horrors. Listed alongside with other organisations that failed to protect people on planet and have done great harm and damage to Lovedesh. Oh I think this is going to go pretty public

https://www.lovedesh.com/hall%20of%20horrors/

You have contacted me on a Saturday because I’ve been left in your to do list. I feel you don’t really care Mark, because you knew this is life and death for me and my business.

And I told you good things were happening for us and I just needed help. As a woman facing sexual harassment, threats as a human rights activist as well as a survivor of domestic violence returning to resurrect our business during the pandemic.

Others believe in us why can’t Barclays, my own business bank? Whom I have stayed loyal to since 2012?

1. The DWP are coming forward with a grant for me. As I’ve qualified for kickstarter grant. I don’t think Chancellor Of The Exchequer knows what we women, single mother’s are experiencing. The hell. Trauma.

2. We have had two meetings with entrepreneurs. Who are attempting to help us. One of whom is worth £600 million. If they can give me time, why couldn’t Barclays my own bank?

3. People want to make donations to us but there is no bank account. We have a crowd funder set up but now we realise that the Barclays bank account is now shut.

https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/lovedeshcovid19#start

So what happens to any monies donated there?

Am I supposed to delete it?

4. I have 13,000 followers on tick-tock. Many tune in to learn and spread the word about Lovedesh’s campaign that was due to be launched to open a store in London.

Again you’ve left us with no bank account. It’s the equivalent of kicking us in our teeth while we are down.

You allowed Barclays to close it down without telling me. During pandemic.

Hence. I find the bank’s behaviour disgraceful and I’m going to make sure that heads roll over this. Because guess what we recently raise money through tick-tock might not be much but we had to use PayPal to get the money out to Starvin garment workers. So you enjoy your holiday Mark. You carry on enjoy your holiday.

And while the fat cats at your management executive board are enjoying holidays know that the garment workers are Bangladesh are dying, and a garden report dated fourth of August has for some back into work. Because the millions of them who are starving and will probably die now.

It is so sick. Barclays could do this.

Here is the article.

https://www.google.co.uk/amp/s/amp.theguardian.com/global-development/2021/aug/04/workers-return-to-bangladesh-garment-factories-despite-record-covid-deaths

Next. The Barclays reporting concerns department is run by a bunch of Muppets. The woman has been watching to me is utterly clueless. It’s a complete nightmare.

I came to all of you in confidence as a survivor of domestic violence. As someone who was rebuilding her business despite Barclays destroying me financially – over and over and over – when I was a good customer.

This is 100% on your chief executive & management board. Past and present.

We all know that Barclays have been done for being greedy before.

But I’m also going to publicly name the female Muslim Barclays executive, who has launched a philanthropic sports initiative. She does not get to be Muslim and wear a hijab and pretend that she cares about people in the global south. While using me for ideas. Mistreating me. And claiming that she is a supporter of women in business. But she’s not is she? Because I have proof she’s not.

And I will write to every single funder and tell them not to get involved with this Barclays sports initiative because we will send them a video from the garment workers and the victims of Rana plaza all the way from Bangladesh, who will now step behind me and support the horrific conduct towards Me and Lovedesh. At the hands of a greedy bank.

By hurting Lovedesh you have hurt the garment workers and victims of Rana plaza, the fourth deadliest industrial disaster in the world. In which 1,136 were killed.

I’m sure I’ve sent you this video before. But learn. Learn what millions suffered. And suffer. Because of Rana Plaza Collapse.

Ordinary Voices

https://vimeo.com/69206421

You see I don’t think victims of Ariana Grande is Manchester bomb attack would ever be treated this way. But for years now I’ve been observing how are victims in the global south get treated bye organisations, campaigners, charities as well as many more not-for-profit sector. Either people don’t give a damn about them or if they do give a damn, it’s because they’re used for making money.

And so here is the message some of the survivors, victims and relatives of the dead prepared for me in Christmas 2020. As they are so so angry.

When they, like myself got sick and tired of the amount of organisations and individuals destroying the work that we’re doing to protect people and planet. Or caught being greedy.

And Barclays has been caught being greedy

They said to me “every single time ma’am, if anyone does anything dangerous or horrid to Lovedesh, please send them this video message So they can hear our voices”.

https://youtu.be/y8CAABFwWvo

And why I hope you will send this email Aba links to your Chief Executive and management board because this is what the victims feel of anyone who attempts to destroy me or Lovedesh.

Because Barclays has destroyed us bye King us out and removing the bank account from Lovedesh

And I do feel really sorry for you. Mark. You’ve been badly trained. And I’m so glad I left Barclays all those years ago.

You see I spotted the the unethical conduct within banking management. In late 1990s. My own boss was a female. She told me that I should already start thinking about another career because I would not get any support as a working mother. She told me she was doing me a favour and I remember her saying this quite kindly. Even though her and I never really got on.

Years later, she herself left.

I don’t know the circumstances around that. But I do know that she is a working mother.

In 2001 Barclays made me redundant, a mother on maternity leave, who she knew had been disowned because I’ve had a mixed race child. I was so exhausted I could’ve sue them for sex discrimination. I was a new mother facing hatred and being bullied and the sound for having a mixed race child I couldn’t fight everyone. It was also a chance for me to leave disgusting greedy and ethical corporate world.

I look at where I am now. I may not make much money. I may have been left disabled by my traumatic experiences as a victim of crime over and over. But why I sleep soundly at night is because I know good people support me. And I’ve done nothing wrong

Today though. I have strength. My story will come out. As I need to come forward and speak my truth.

How anti working mother management at Barclays kicked me out as the first working mother. At HQ.

I’m really pleased (because I went onto train at drama school and today and the chief executive of a company). As quite frankly. I’m sick and tired of what people have done to me and to destroy my business and brand.

Barclays were told I’m trying to open a store in London end of August on the date of Martin Luther King anniversary of his dream speech.

Instead of helping me. You’ve kicked Lovedesh out

You were also told that the bank attempted to give me money back of £400 or so, as compensation and and to use that. To pay off bank charges. And debt.

Bank chose not to. Why? I don’t want to hear excuses of protocol or ridiculous bank procedures. It’s interesting how people can rush to help Malala when she shot by brown men on a politically motivated charge but here I am as a woman of colour, attempting to help victims who had an entire building full on their heads, and there is no want to be found to help me help them.

Hmmm.

I don’t want to hear any more excuses from Barclays. This is 20 years of failure and greed and exploitation of not only me as a customer but as a mother as an ordinary citizen.

And all your email below and the one prior to that has done, is to demonstrate proof that you have clearly underestimated me.

Everyone always does. Not a problem. For me.

Until I show them what I’m capable of. Then it suddenly becomes a headache for them.

Watch now, as I try and raise millions now. Or fail know I have guts. And I really want to say thank you to Barclays for being so disgusting that you helped me train into becoming a business ninja.

Watch as I will get a store in London. Or fail. And I will attempt to try and open something on August 28.

So please enjoy yourself on holiday, thank you for attempting to help me. But I wasn’t helped ;(

There is no further need of any correspondence from you. As I plan to actually engage with the chief executive straight away now.

And I won’t be responding anymore Mark. Because you’re not the person to help me. The next person I expect to hear from is the chief executive of.

I wish you all the best.

Take care .

Yasmin C.

http://www.lovedesh.com

Sent from my iPhone.

Apologies in advance for any spelling mistakes.

On 14 Aug 2021, at 10:15, Mark Brooks wrote:

Dear Yasmin

I’m sorry for the delay coming back to you, I am now on annual leave so it may be best to reconvene and discuss certain points when I return, which is 26 August. To highlight the immediate point around the account closure, as mentioned in my last email this is in line with standard collections process as there was no repayment arrangement in place, and given the wider context of your concerns and any claim against the Bank, this didn’t appear to be forthcoming. I do appreciate this has come as a shock though so my apologies for this.

I will be happy to discuss this with you in more detail on my return. To also highlight the email you recently received from the Raising Concerns team, this was to advise you that they would be considering elements of the concerns you raised in relation to previous HR matters.

Kind regards

Mark Brooks LLB (Hons) (Open) | Senior Executive Customer Relations Manager | Advocacy | Barclays UK

Respect | Integrity | Service | Excellence | Stewardship
Creating Opportunities to rise

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From: Yasmin Choudhury
Sent: 10 August 2021 10:27
To: Brooks, Mark : Advocacy
Subject: Re: Sorry – more evidence

!!!!

My business account got closed.

I had no idea. Omg!!! You cannot do this.

You were told of mitigating circumstances

How could this happen. How.

I cannot. I just cannot.

You have left Lovedesh – with no account.

Barclays. knew I have a disability.

This is not ok. I need to get to your ceo.

Sorry.

Yasmin C.

Sent from my iPhone.

Apologies in advance for any spelling mistakes.

On 10 Aug 2021, at 09:02, Mark Brooks wrote:

Dear Yasmin

My apologies for the delay coming back to you here. May I ask in which respect you’re looking to reclaim any charges to your account? Bank charges for business accounts are a standard part of the account terms and conditions, and so these would only be refunded if it was found they were applied in error.

I’d also like to follow up on our previous discussions and the additional evidence you sent to me by email. My apologies again that this has taken longer than I would’ve liked. Having reviewed all of the information you sent, I note that this appears to refer largely to historic matters in relation to your previous employment, or more recent matters regarding Barclays employees. Any cases such as this would need to be investigated by our Raising Concerns team, and not by Customer Relations as this doesn’t relate to a retail product or service. I know you received an email from the team confirming they were looking into your concerns, and you will receive more communication from them in due course.

I’m afraid I can’t identify a link between these concerns and the more recent issue of the overdrawn balance of your business account. I know you feel strongly that there is a direct link and that your more recent problems with the business account can be traced back to these issues, but I respectfully haven’t seen this myself. I would also say the same about previous complaints that you’ve raised, all of which we have issued responses on with your referral rights to the Financial Ombudsman Service (FOS). I know that at least one of these complaints was subsequently referred to the FOS, and so the complaints process for these previous complaints has been exhausted. We’re unable to look into historic complaints again.

If I could focus now on the more recent events on the account, I know you had concerns about the manner in which your conversation leading up to this most recent complaint was handled. As we discussed in our first conversation, there was some evident confusion in explaining the timescales to you when the account would be closed as part of our collections process. We were able to confirm a further delay to this process, and I’m sorry for any alarm that call would’ve caused. That being said, the process of this call and the general discussions had were correct, as the account had been in an unauthorised overdraft for position for some time, with no repayment proposal in place. You’d told me and the Bank previously that your repayment of the overdraft was secondary to your claims for compensation against Barclays for the various issues raised previously, but this isn’t something we can consider when it comes to any agreement to repay a balance owed. Any claim you wanted to make would be separate to the requirement to bring the account back into line.

I should be clear that the account has followed our standard collections route, and has now been closed as there has been no repayment proposal or agreement forthcoming. The balance owed has been written off as part of this process, so there is no longer a sum to be repaid but the account is no longer active. This does of course mean that you will need to make alternative arrangements for Lovedesh’s business banking with immediate effect.

I appreciate there is quite a bit of information to digest from this email, so I’d like to ask if you had any specific questions you wanted to raise for me to review at this stage?

Kind regards

Mark Brooks LLB (Hons) (Open) | Senior Executive Customer Relations Manager | Advocacy | Barclays UK

Respect | Integrity | Service | Excellence | Stewardship
Creating Opportunities to rise

Please consider the environment before printing this email

From: Yasmin Choudhury
Sent: 04 August 2021 13:06
To: Brooks, Mark : Advocacy
Subject: Sorry – more evidence

Hi Mark

Just want your help. I’ve been going through my accounts as I’m a bit better.

Some issues – it is exhausting!

1. Bank charges for Lovedesh – I’m also claiming all of these back. Especially after March 2015 – which is when I attempted to call Barclays for help

See attached below which amounts to a total of £329.30

2. I have no idea why they give me a commission

3. Did you know I have never been able to use my Barclays card or call telephone banking – so unable to use my biz bank account to pay for things – and why I stopped – and I’ve been creating huge amounts of expenses.

Thank you.

Kindest regards,

Yasmin Choudhury FRSA

CEO & Founder of Lovedesh®
Ethical Luxury With Heart
On A Mission To Protect Our Planet

Twitter: @yasminisyasmin
Skype: yasminisyasmin | @LovedeshScout | Insta: LovedeshScout:

Founder of charitable projects Amcariza Foundation & Hate2LoveCollective & S|He Stands

Lovedesh®, is the trading name of Lovedesh Ltd, registered as a limited company in England & Wales number 07908945, address 2nd floor, 145-147 St John’s Street, London EC1V 4PW.

Disability Disclaimer – please note I’m very proud to share I have an invisible disability called Complex – PTSD caused from being a victim of multiple crimes. Which means deep anxiety. Due to my condition, writing emails can be extremely difficult. At times there may be spelling and grammar errors, or material facts that may need clarification. So if you require any clarity, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Apologies for loss of time caused by my disability but under the Equalities Act 2010, this is deemed as duty if a reasonable adjustment is requested, to allow for those of us with a disability, inclusivity.)

© Any images, ideas and strategic thinking in this email is presented on the basis that it will be treated as confidential by the recipient. The recipient acknowledges and agrees that the confidential info may not be reproduced in whole or in part for any purpose whatsoever unless prior express permission is provided by me, Yasmin Choudhury, the sender of this email.

The contents of this e-mail (including any attachments) are confidential and may be legally privileged. If you are not the intended recipient you may not read, copy, distribute or make any other use of this email or its contents.

If received in error, please tell me immediately via this email quoting the name of the sender and the intended recipient, then delete it from your system.

The post Open Letter To Barclays appeared first on Lovedesh.

Our CEO’s Open Letter To Those In The Lovedesh Hall Of Horrors

Lovedesh Team — Sun, 05 Sep 2021 10:36:55 +0000

ALL PRESS ENQUIRIES : media@lovedesh.com

Our crowdfunding page is here –

Published Sunday 5^th September 2021 – 11.36am BST

Re #JusticeForYasmin, Lovedesh 10+ Files & Our Claim For Damages

This is an open letter to those featured in The Lovedesh Hall Of Horrors. And you would have been sent this so you can watch it. Just bear in mind this letter is about 22 pages. So without further ado – let us get started. All press enquiries- media@lovedesh.com

My name is Yasmin Choudhury.

I am the Chief Executive of Lovedesh®️. A British luxury brand. On a mission to protect people and planet.

I really hope I stay alive after sharing this. 🙁

For over 10 plus years, I have been piloting part solutions to global poverty, sweatshops, fast fashion and climate change. As well as some of the other bigger problems facing 21^st Century society today. Such as climate change, VAWG (Violence Against Women & Girls). By exploring the root causes of poverty both in the UK and Bangladesh, with my little daughter by my side – she was seven when she first started.

Am I one of the most mistreated bullied women in the world? Some might say yes. Judging by the way I have been treated.

It is also what some of my doctors and therapists have often told me – as they battle the array of harm done to my mental and physical health, at the hands of others.

I am now writing and speaking formally about the #JusticeForYasmin.

It’s a social media campaign born out of frustration, after a series of damages and attacks on the human rights and anti-poverty work, I, a woman of colour, of Bangladeshi & Muslim heritage, have been undertaking, all alone, within the arena of social impact. And international development.

And to I want to now introduce you to The Lovedesh Hall of Horrors. It’s the first of many chapters in the book, a memoir called Lovedesh 10+ Files. Of my time as a lone British mother trying to deliver good. And the highs, lows and ugly moments of it all. As well as all the other many other Halls – where you can view the collections of names and organisations and individuals, who either made life hell or heaven or toxic for me.

This post – this video – is a verbal letter of complaint. To all the individuals and organisations listed in the Hall of Horrors – who are some of the worst I have ever come across. And they needed to be revealed, on the International Day Of Charity, so that the world can see how much damage many do to those of us working to help others in need.

We want every single organisation and individual in the Hall of Horrors, to put right all the wrong and damage done, to our human rights and climate change work.

And to compensate many of the world’s poorest who have since died. Whom I sincerely believe would’ve benefited from Lovedesh’s success. But today did not live – to see its success.

It is their deaths that made me realise and propell me, into knowing I had to do something – without fear or favour – to bring to the world’s attention just how corrupt and perhaps grasping, many of the famous names and organisations have become.

As well as my own blood family.

Some are better or worse than others. But all of them share one thing in common: they did not do the right thing. In fact, they did a lot of damage.

I would also like to formally state that my daughter Amber Choudhury-Kaye is not to be involved nor dragged into this matter. As she is not involved in any way.

Also please do excuse the length. Or, if I am found to be repeating myself. But while I am a CEO, I also am very proud to share I have an invisible disability: Complex PTSD – Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. Caused and done to me because of all the trauma I’ve been through at the hands of others.

It has taken me a while to sort out my thought processes. I also use voice activation to write much of The Lovedesh 10+ Files. And therefore please bear with me if there’s any grammatical errors.

This complaint is also jointly sent by Lovedesh Rana Plaza Victims’s Group (LRPVG)- with their blessing. Especially to ensure the direct voices of garment workers, past present of Bangladesh and victims and relatives of those who were killed, in Rana Plaza, are heard by the world.

More about them in due course but as a quick reminder – their sad tragic lives are some of the most horrendous I’ve ever heard in my lifetime. Not just as a mother – but as a businesswoman.

Yet many with great power and privilege have caused them and me to suffer. Me, an innocent woman. A single mother as I keep saying.

To find I am having to be here speaking truth to power. Even though I have been so ill. So ill from all of this is so upsetting.

We are now urgently seeking damages and/or restitution from every single one of you named in the Lovedesh Hall of Horrors. Which is an online listing of who, what, as well as when – including evidence attached – of the harm you did. Because there are receipts you left behind. Such was the sheer arrogance of your entitled conduct.

I worked often alone.

And to have been reaching to all of you, over and over – single handedly, politely asking you all to please stop and not harm the vulnerable, in my opinion is not ok. But I must continue to do so. As I refuse to stay silent on the unspeakable conduct and choices that many of you in the Hall of Horrors have undertaken.

Regrettably – this letter/address is of course now published in the public domain. You and the organisations you lead or represent, will also have been sent this link – as you are now featured in the Lovedesh Hall of Horrors.

And journalists have been sent this link as well.

It has also been released to all social media accounts run by Lovedesh.

Hall of Horrors

Many of you may or may not remember me.

But I remember each of you because you chose to ignore the concerns I raised.

Or ignored me when I came to you privately.

Some of you even mocked me, when I asked for help and you did nothing.

Or blocked me on social media accounts. Even after I presented evidence in private, of how you, your organisations were found to have trampled over Lovedesh®️, the social enterprise I had created. Funded solely from my own pocket. My savings. On a shoestring. As a single working mother.

And that is why you or your organisation or your name, is in the Hall of Horrors.

This list is on the Lovedesh website (written below)– and due to be updated as it has its own page on the Lovedesh website. Alongside each of your names will appear, a short video – showing all the evidence and details of the dispute or harm we have experienced. Which to date has been kept private by me, until recently. Til now.

And why each of you need, and are invited to compensate Lovedesh and me for the damage done. I would add, we have already published the story about Red Carpet Green Dress. Suzy Cameron and The Oscars. But we will come to that later.

XXXXXX

I want the world to learn of the damage sustained by Lovedesh and its community of vulnerable beneficiaries. The world’s poorest of the poorest – whom you trampled over, bullied or erased.

The harm done by you and your organisations to me, my innocent daughter, my projects and the poorest folks I work with, breaks my heart. I want to show the world evidence of the terrible and tragic travesty of justice.

One that needs to be solved. As all the people who suffered and missed out on being helped – because of your actions are listed in here – Lovedesh Hall Of Happiness.

These are the human faces and stories the world needs to remember. For each of you need to look at – to understand the ramifications of the choices each of you made.

I also reveal the numerous legal threats I have had to fend off, all alone, from some of the biggest names in the world – all because I did the right thing.

Yes – Suzy Cameron of Red Carpet Green Dress.

I find you to be a bully, greedy, horrendous and you should never be allowed anywhere near fashion campaigning. Nor the Oscars.

Hollywood celebrities have no idea of how horrible you have been and it is not ok you show two faces.

It is terrible what you did, to use threats of defamation to silence me, a human rights campaigner, who reported wrongdoing to you and to Fairwear Foundation, a major global fashion campaign organisation, about a dodgy campaigner, you chose to work with – even after we alerted you that they had hurt the Memorial event held for Rana Plaza victims in 2020.

See the event we did online below.

Yet you still chose to put the life of a child, Jannat a little girl aged 6 – at risk. By depriving her and her family of funds needed to get medical treatment. And now we are going to ask you pay, for this family’s relocation to UK for medical and educational bills.

And then when I wrote to Academy Awards Office – they ghosted us. After we wrote and complained about your disgraceful horrendous conduct. And you being a vegan – who claims to want to protect the world!

The Academy Awards stayed silent – after I sent them evidence of your bullying.

Here it is.

First published in December 2020 then an update on 24 April 2021.

They all allowed you to mix with all of Hollywood. Because I expect money, sponsorship was involved? To find Hollywood elders trampling over brown garment workers – is racist, classist and deeply offensive.

Do we think that is ok? No. Do we think it is ok for any of you to continue and pretend what you did – never really happened? Or that you get to hide and run away from the bad you did. No.

I found evidence of you hiding behind your Black British CEO – Samata Pattinson. She was so weird she even sent emails to third parties about me – who had nothing to do with me and was herself violating GDPR, international data breaches. For example she sent a nasty malicious email to my web developer in Kenya. And when I naturally queries where such emails had come from, got no reply. “Did they hack in your computer Yasmin” is what some said to me.

As for the horrendous British Asian solicitor Shuba Nath your hired – who also joined in, to attempt to gag me – both of whom are shameful. She sent me what some might call a “threatening” pdf on my whats app. So entitled so greedy for fees.

I am looking forward to their apology or lawsuits. Either will suit. But I hope they wake up and feel ashamed of getting involved in hurting the Rana Plaza victims.

I feel sorry for both of these women of colour. And happy to train them so they can be free of such vicious and underhand tactics. Where they think someone like you is doing them a favour. You are not.

Both of these women and their mindset need to be free of the “rot of coloniolisation breadcrumbing” (a term I use to describe brown and black women who are the Crab & Goyle of the Harry Potter World) – that white liberal women use to control and coerce us women of colour.

At play here are deep white power dynamics – eg money, status and access to Hollywood contacts. The very credentials they sought to take them into areas of global fashion and entertainment arena you Suzy must know, are to this day closed to black and brown people. And why they conducted themselves so disgracefully.

But the sheer intensity of what I suffered at your hands – was nothing compared to also trying to help rescue and save Jannat. A little girl. Victim of Rana Plaza parents. And how you hurt and damaged their daughter’s wellbeing.

So when you or any of you attempt to sue me – remember they will step forward as my witnesses – as it is they too who are so upset with you too.

I was also at the same time, having to handle trolls and many more disgraceful individuals and organisations – intent on blindly pursuing greed and social status. To destroy, derail and damage Lovedesh’s work. This includes copius amounts of men and women – often in UK, who identify as “Muslim”, trolling me. Knowing I have an invisible disability – and taking screen recording from a live stream. Where I was discussing how my own British blood brother Naz Choudhury controlled my money, had stolen my inheritance, my father’s assets and destroyed my projects out of spite – in 2015. Leaving me homeless.

Here are some examples.

At some point we need to talk about the rise of the toxic brown men and women of in the UK Bangladeshi heritage. I know this type well -as that is how my own blood family behave.

Here is a London based woman called Sara, a MUA (British Make Up Artist), a mother in her 40s- known as Ami2Old on TikTok – who I privately helped. Even met up with her, as she complained of being a survivor of domestic abuse. She told me she was in such hardship. Despite many red flags – having been a survivor myself – I began to assist her. Help her.

But once a mutual contact came to me in private, to complain this woman was bullying her, Sara ghosted me, after I wrote to her for an explanation. I left it alone. But, then I was told had began to slander me. In public on tiktok behind my back, which I had no idea about until good souls sent me clips.

If you think that is bad – wait until you see Sara’s latest live stream – mocking the Lovedesh T shirt as “shit” – and the work being done for the poorest.

Prior to that. I got verbally attacked by some British Bangladeshi lads in Bradfrod. And a petition I even tried to get signed – but so exhausted am I from all of you – I hardly got anywhere.

Here they are.

I have been doxxed. One of whom shared my h0me address and telephone number. As well as being slandered, sexually harassed, threatened and discriminated against. So much so, I lived out of a suitcase for three weeks on advice of Met Police – during my birthday in May 2021. My Lovedesh in tatters.

I also have a stalker. Obsessed with dating me. Making fake account after account. Slandering me. Which the Met Police are currently investigating. While I also had a fake police officer call me.

It has taken me 10 years to recover, having suffered from the stress. The anxiety, chest pains and left with an invisible disability, that was NOT caused by me but DONE to me.

I have had to find the courage to fight back and now here I am. Asking you ALL to “do the right thing”. To confess and own up to what you did to Lovedesh. And how you treated Rana Plaza victims. And to urge you – be kind. As I cannot bear any more controversy and hardship. Christmas is coming – we can do better. You have to.

How?

I am asking that each of the names in the Hall of Horrors responds to the published set of recommendations, to put right the wrong done to Lovedesh. And to note that we are also giving each of you, a fair right of reply. We are more than happy to publish your reply. For the world to read – in case there has been any misunderstanding or explanation that is missing that can explain why you hurt the interests of the world’s poorest in the way that you did.

I hope you reply?

For now, Phase 1 is being addressed to those who have done the most damage. Are the most influential or perhaps wealthiest and powerful in fashion, banking and politics – who should have known better.

The others will soon have all the details published over the coming weeks. Including my own blood family- who have been the most horrendous of you all. Because if my own can behave this way – of course it was only a matter of time for me to understand that many more would follow.

My first key target is all those in the fashion campaigning sector. As London Fashion Week 2021 starts on Friday 16 September. Before then, Lovedesh seeks urgent resolution with those in the fashion sector who hurt us. If Malala can be brought over to UK in an emergency – so can the Rana Plaza victims. Amazing what the world can do when we all join hands. The only difference is that it is not the Taliban here who hurt the world’s poorest – attempting to educate their kids and recover from a life of tragedy. It Is big foreign rich companies and individuals – middle-class white women mainly. Who have wreaked so much havoc.

This year the annual LibDem Autumn Conference starts on 17th-20th September. And I and the victims of Rana Plaza – expect and hope to address its members – who need to investigate what some of their Party elders have done. And why they lie to and cheat the British public.

The Federal Party Of Liberal Democrats – a political party in UK who in 2018, chose to sack me, when I was an employee of theirs at HQ. Why? I had the lone courage to whistleblow on race and anti-disabled conduct within HQ and amongst senior Party members. Only two Party members helped me – the rest – ignored me. Ran away. Stayed silent, Or worst still whispered in corridors about me. I was cut off. I was left crying and sleepless.

Yet today the very Party members (mostly white liberal women who claim to care about human rights) who knew, saw and were made aware, including the two brown Muslim women I told – continue to enjoy their ascent to power. Councillor Hina Bokhari of Merton and Councillor Huma Humaira Ali of Southwark.

Knowing they hurt and damaged an innocent working mother’s life. Is that ok? No.

I eventually had to take the LibDems to employment court to protect my income and reputation, after none of the Party elders or members (except for the two I mentioned) who helped stand by me. As well as my amazing retired business mentor – a white elderly man.

Not one of their most famous MPs helped – yes Ms Jo Swinson – when I spoke distressed down the phone to you, you went quiet on me.

Yet Ms Swinson. I was broke, I was a single mother. You could have helped – you could have – but no – you focused instead on your bid to be Prime Minister. And failed. When you lost – I whipped in joy. As you are someone alongside others like Rt Hon Sarah Olney – who should not be MPs.

Seeing that I had no funds to fight the legal battle, I had to settle out of court for around £20,000. Of course, they would – as the British judge ordered a five-day public hearing. This money was used to kickstart the Lovedesh Tee. This pot of money was sunk into Lovedesh – and enabled me to fly out and meet the Rana Plaza victims in April 2019.

All of which is documented and recorded and has been published to Lovedesh YouTube account. This political party then reneged on the promise made to me in the non-disclosure agreement and despite writing and asking them to honour the promises made – they did not. In 2019 – no surprise – they were at it again. Another poor employee came to ask me for help in an employment tribunal case I helped them to settle out of court. As this poor individual was extremely distressed and had no money nor stamina to fight them all alone.

I am also asking the British bank Barclays to pay significant damages. This horrendous former employer – then my personal and later business bank has behaved so irresponsibly and greedily. It’s senior executives chose to shut down Lovedesh business bank account for no good reason – without even telling me. Even after I reported unethical conduct of one of their staff – as well as failures negligence and poor service. As well as the Bank Of Ireland. Who took my own money – and then charged me non-stop and failed to protect me as a disabled client – yet when I attempted to access my money in Bangladesh in 2015 – I was left hungry and had nowhere to go.

We also go as far as asking and inviting the world, to boycott, suspend or at least to voice concerns about the evidence I present, surrounding each of your unethical conduct. Until you resolve the bad deeds done to Lovedesh.

Why?

Each of you chose not to solve this privately. Even though you were invited to.

We now have a duty to whistleblow and alert other organisations and individuals from working with you. Because you did the most damage and while you have been a problem – you could also are a part of the solution. Should you wish to take up the invitation I am sending this message.

BACKGROUND

Lovedesh is a British not-for-profit luxury brand.

On a mission to protect people and planet.

The world’s first and only fashion brand endorsed by garment workers of Bangladesh, rural villagers and disabled rickshaw drivers. And blessed and in collaboration with victims, survivors and relatives of those killed, when the Rana Plaza Factory collapsed – killing 1,136 – garment workers.

The 1,136 is very, very significant – we will come to that in a bit.

What is Lovedesh®️?

To help hammer home what or who Lovedesh is – or what we do…?

Imagine Oxfam crossed with…. say…. Gucci…. Or Chanel. Yes – an award-winning luxury brand – that really does donate ALL profits for good. Just to boost the incomes of those in the supply chain. And to give consumers an alternative shopping experience – specifically, that puts people, planet first – then profit – in that order.

We are the 21st century Robin Hood – who take from the rich to give to the oppressed and the poor. We do not steal. We simply create jobs in UK and globally, use profits and then pass it down to the poorest.

While everyone else is busy ripping off the public, lining their own pockets – Lovedesh is the only safe haven for consumers, workers – to know that everything done, is done to protect people and planet.

I also mentioned I am supported by and collaborate with survivors, victims and relatives of the dead, who died in the fourth largest industrial collapse – Rana Plaza. Some of whom whose bodies have never ever been found.

Since 2010, every penny received has been put back into the work being done for people and planet. We also plan to pilot the idea of Universal Basic Income – as well as boost the wages of those in the supply chain (garment workers, weavers, embroiderers). Lovedesh is attempting to pay as many as possible in our direct supply chain London Living Wages. And I, as its chief executive have committed to taking London living wage in the first year. A profit share and donation model is how I plan to distribute wealth.

Despite many setbacks, attempts to sabotage Lovedesh (most notably in 2015 by my own blood family in UK, Bangladesh and USA – many of whom are educated professionals), who destroyed my projects, threatened our volunteers, trashed our office, charity projects, thanks to “Gandalf and a dedicated army of personal and professional mentors, many from charities, as well as for-profit organisations, I began to resurrect Lovedesh again in 2019. By creating the Lovedesh Tee.

The world’s first and kindest T-shirt in the world. 100% organic cotton. Our first sample was made by women in a work owned factory in Bangladesh. In 2019.

I created this fashion merch for Lovedesh, so it could be the world’s first-ever and only sweatshop-free fashion brand. To help garment workers, rural villagers of Bangladesh, disabled, impoverished talented in Global South and nations in Africa. Look at how proud the folks were in Bangladesh to step forward and support it. And why the price and even the dates and times often refer to the numerals in 1136 – the number who died in Rana Plaza.

Rural Villagers & The Lovedesh Tee

I am also the founder of the following organisations.

S|He Stands – a charity for those impacted by THAWBD – Trauma, Harassment, Abuse, Whistleblowing, Bullying, Discrimination.

Amcariza Foundation – grants for poor talented folk in Bangladesh

Hate 2 Love Collective – not for profit global theatre for the poorest

Lovedesh Rana Plaza Victims Group

You and your organisation hurt me, you hurt Lovedesh and our projects. Worst of all? You denied and deprived Rana Plaza Victims. And hurt my own daughter – who has spent the past few years as a minor and now an adult woman having to take care of me. Or having to use her meagre student loan to help support Lovedesh while also working without wages to ensure we kept it afloat during the pandemic.

First. Here is a private video called “Ordinary Voices” to explain who Rana Plaza are. A private video I did.

And here is a video of the evidence of the array of folks I spent 10+ years self-funding – and mentoring. And how my lovely daughter Amber spent her 18th birthday party – working to help me create a sustainable ethical fashion range. All for no pay.

Short film – Lovedesh Behind The Scenes with workers of Bangladesh

(33 mins)

THE PROBLEM

While I may have been incredibly naive in thinking all of you would have supported me and Lovedesh, I had no idea it would be this bad, I really had no idea that your conduct would reach to stooping so low – you would hurt the world’s poorest. I now realise the severity and extent of damage done by so many, is testimony to my resilience. And the over arching belief I have had that the power of the good work that has been done…. will be enough. But it was not. Because doing good work required me to be in good health, fit and having access to resources. All of which has been depleted because of your choices to attack and/or hurt Lovedesh. And to understand the disappointment that I feel, that you chose not to be part of this. But worst of all – worked to derail or erase our work.

I am and have been a single working mother for 20 years. I lost my successful; City career just because I chose to have a child. The minute I dropped a child – it was almost as if I became untouchable.

As a single mother – desperate to put food on the table – I was exploited and often used. By some of the biggest and richest organisations. The then CEO of Monster UK, who refused me annual leave and forced me to work when I had no childcare in Xmas 2009 – leaving Amber then 8 alone in Sainsbury’s with the amazing Scouts and later stripping me of my ability to work from home every Friday just so I could get to pick her up without her having to go to after school club).

Then came along Airbnb who sacked me because they changed my work pattern and insisted I suddenly work at weekends. The only time I had with my daughter – as she was in full time school. I wonder what you Brian Chesky will do when you have kids? And no I don’t care about breaking the NDA – sue me. Because it is time the world found out how tech entrepreneurs make their money – on the blood sweat and tears of desperate mothers.

You see I got myself a backbone and made sure I fought every dodgy employer who thought they could treat working mothers like crap. Not just for me – but for the next one who might come along. After this non stop horror show I began to look at the issues of poverty.

How even I, a woman who went to University, worked for some of the biggest names IBM, Disney had ended up in hardship. You see Amber’s father had also abandoned all financial and emotional care of his own daughter to me. Of course when I rang up asking why no maintenance payment had been halted in 2006 – I was told there was nothing they could do as he had become self-employed and showed no income. I nice little loophole. Funny enough I believe he took redundancy and when I called up the then CSA asking whether they can get a slice of this, the answer came back “No – sorry we can only touch earning working income”. And so the British taxpayer was forced to step in and help raise my daughter via working tax credits – while I became more and more agitated and in debt.

I wanted to give back. I wanted solutions. Not just for me. But for the poorest.

So I became a small business owner to escape the horror of how Corporates behave towards working mothers.

I worked and worked. Saved and saved. I sacrificed family holidays, time with my only child. Whose banker father had abandoned ALL financial and emotional care to me. It was gruelling for me to solve some of the biggest solutions facing our planet today. As well as boost the incomes of the poorest in Bangladesh and in UK. Based on fulfilling the dream of my late father Al-Haj Abdul Muquith Choudhury. Here is the backstory. While also working my fingers to the bone at dodgy big profitable companies who treated single working mothers like dirt. Yes Airbnb, Monster.

Yet to no avail. As the damage done to me, a social impact start up were all unwarranted and specifically designed to hurt me as a human rights campaigner. I know because I wrote and told you about it. You chose to ignore me, ghost me or attack me.

Yet for over 10 years, I have been at the mercy of the most horrendous, greedy, unethical conduct from some of the biggest and most experienced “experts” in all sectors. Who has sought to undermine me, bully me, cheat and steal from me, my work and Lovedesh.

Meanwhile, across the seven seas and many oceans, I began to observe how my Rana Plaza victims suffered colonialist, imperialistic conduct, mired with a white saviour complex, defrauded, cheated, betrayed. Especially by the array of fashion campaigners in UK, Europe and USA e.g. Laudes Foundation, Fairwear Foundation, Fashion Revolution, Remake Our World, Clean Clothes Campaign. On and on they bleated about change. Using posters of brown garment workers.

But behind it all were white privileged, many women – making money from their trauma. I began to wonder more when one Bangladeshi factory owner remarked how “Accord is rubbish – how dare they come in to our country and tell us how to improve standards when all they need to do is pay us more so we can pay workers more – after all the workers are the very engine that keeps our families fed”.

I myself have experienced structural racism. Observed Classisism. Notice how we rarely see Northern or working class whites positions of power as well.

Been slandered or just ghosted. By many organisations. As well as abused, attacked, trolled and persecuted for being an empowered female brown Muslim business leader. The hatred and insults from my own family and members of my own community – as well as the disputes with all of you – have often made me bedridden. Exhausted and ill.

Don’t believe me? Go have a look at my TikTok – much of my videos are done lying down.

A quick look at Accord – the international safety system that fashion campaigning sector is obsessed by – to help guarantee fair treatment of garment workers. This by the way – apparently has no legal validity in Bangladesh. Nor is it clear if and how they protect whistleblowers. Not many Bangladeshi stakeholder or garment workers involved. Oh yes – they have chapters and unions signed up – but the real action is led by white foreign campaigners and trade unionists- running and controlling the agenda. Why nobody has thought to ask brands to pass on profits or %age share to supply chains is beyond me.

You see Global South’s trauma or refugee trauma is often a signal for cash signs in the eyes of charities and campaigners. Money is to be made. And it is easier taking money from the good souls in Western hemisphere feeling guilty about fast fashion – than anyone asking questions – could it be that they are all blindly following the Pied Piper? Where does the money go? How do they get paid?

I used to watch from afar how before May 2020 – not many non white were invited to the fashion campaigning table – then suddenly after George Flloyd – all that changed. And we saw brown and black names popping up more frequently.

Even the British High Commission in Dhaka, Bangladesh under the leadership of Robert Chatterton Dickson stuck his oar in. He and his wife – who stole my fashion event idea. His wife was incredibly racist and colonialist towards me in a private one to one meeting. Fashion is supplied by Bangladesh but somehow how Rana Plaza victims have become untouchable in the eyes of foreigners.

Can we imagine ever a day when victims of say American school gun massacres, would be replaced by black campaigners from say nations in Africa – who speak and campaign on their behalf? Or that victims of the terrorist attack in Ariana Grande’s Manchester Concert had people in Bangladesh speaking up for them. Showing pictures of their dead? That would never happen. Look at the way Ariana treated the victims and relatives of those who were killed with grace and dignity.

Yet time and time again the real life Rana Plaza victims are erased.

Every April 24 as the anniversary of the tragedy approaches – it sees so many disgraceful fashion campaigners climb on board to raise funds and remind the fashion consumers “Never again” – Yet at no point has anyone – until Lovedesh came along – thought to involve the victims. To give them voice, platform and power. Or to even hold a remembrance event for them outside of Bangladesh. What a disgrace – and yes I am looking at your Orsola Di Castro, Laudes Foundation, Remake Our World, Common Objective and Red Carpet Green Dress – many of you were invited but you dismissed the work Lovedesh has been doing with Rana Plaza voices.

And so now me and the Rana Plaza victims seek significant damages or assistance. And now present a series of requests we are asking of you. And also plan to write to all funders to ask that they halt donating money, As this is not in the interest of Rana Plaza victims who wish to take control of campaign funds regarding any event that mentions their trauma or name,

And. Just in case there is lashback. Here is a shorter Lovedesh Rana Plaza Victim Group’s Message LRPVG to those who hurt me, Lovedesh and the work I was doing to assist them. And what they have to say about their experiences at the hands of you and your organisation.

Here is the longer story – of how they gathered – with food and refreshments paid for by Lovedesh. To discuss how they regain their narrative, their joy at a t shirt made to honour and remember their co-workers who died. And the anger they showed of how their trauma has been financially exploited – while many remain disabled, sick, hungry, jobless and in poverty.

They have also vowed that should any harm come to me or my sudden death – (as I have been warned by good souls, that exposing famous names or organisations could get me killed). I really hope it does not come to that.

We are instead inviting you to put right the damage done. As we want to move on.

And for those who will now rush and scramble to bleat, “it was not me” or point fingers at others, it is all too little too late. Your transgression began the moment you knew – yet did nothing about it. My father taught me this – “All it takes for evil to flourish if for good people to do nothing”.

Or as Bishop Desmond Tutu said “If you are neutral in situations of injustice, you have chosen the side of the oppressor. If an elephant has its foot on the tail of a mouse and you say that you are neutral, the mouse will not appreciate your neutrality.”

Doing nothing and turning a blind eye is how Hitler killed Jewish people. Doing nothing and turning a blind eye is how genocide and corruption flourishes – with the aim of killing all that is good in humanity. We need to stop it.

Evidence

Here is a list In Lovedesh Hall Of Happiness – of all those in need, whom I was helping or in talks with – who were impacted by your actions. Reminder that when you get upset – I speak for those who are voiceless. Who were not helped.

Everything will now be played out publicly because you have lost their right for their unethical actions to be kept private. We would remind that anyone who is critical or feels uncomfortable about having to read this, to put themselves in the positions of either myself or the Rana Plaza. victims. We did nothing wrong. We were just trying to make things better not just for the planet but for millions of workers in the fast fashion sector. And I will not apologise nor will I back down in helping to platform, promote and protect the interests of the poorest who until now, have rarely been involved in charity and activist campaigns – due to the structural privilege enjoyed by many who have come from a privileged background.

We don’t operate smoke and mirrors.

I possess evidence and it is not a crime, to tell the truth. But asked that various judiciary is considered and scrutinise vexatious and spurious defamation claims, often bought by rich claimants in an attempt to bully and intimidate whistle-blowers and human rights defenders.

Evidence has been uploaded onto the Lovedesh website as part of The Lovedesh 10+ Files.

THE LOVEDESH COMPENSATION FUND

Today, in 2021, Lovedesh is seeking significant damages for you and your organisation’s role in hurting the human rights and anti-poverty work undertaken to help assist the poorest communities it serves. And that you investigate the individuals who harmed me and the world’s poorest.

The compensation amount can be paid to our crowd funder below. So the public can see the evidence. https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/justiceforyasmin

You and/or your organisations have also been entered into the Lovedesh 10+ Files which features the Hall of Horrors.

This is a personal memoir I am writing, that stretches across the decades, which details the horrific and horrendous treatment I experienced – as I began to build Lovedesh. But I am trying to ensure, that the chapter which will detail my interaction with your organisations and the individuals named here, will be written kinder, than any of you ever were to me.

These damages and suggestions are warranted, for one or more of the following categories.

Who did what and the story on each of you – is listed on the website. And will have a video accompanying it. As well as evidence.

ABUSE

Be it sexually harassing or sexually assaulting me. As well as physical and verbal abuse.

– HURTING THE POOR

Depriving the world’s poorest in Bangladesh – some of whom have since died. Or remain disabled and in need. Please see Lovedesh Hall of Happiness – the array of diverse talent we have been working with – to transform their lives.

– DESTROYING & DAMAGING CHARITY CAMPAIGNS #SAVEJANNA SHUTUPFORRANAPLAZA

Destroying Jannat’s chances to be treated for kidney issues in 2020 by Great Ormond Street Hospital in London for medical treatment. She was aged 5, and a child of mother and father Rana Plaza Victims, whose own blood aunt died aged 13 – in the collapse. Whose body was never found.

Also, the destruction of the Amcariza and Lovedesh Field projects in 2015

– CHEATING, STEALING, COPYING

Infringing Lovedesh’s Moral Rights by ripping off my idea – basically theft of IP.

– CLASSISM, COLONIOLISM, RACISM & OTHERISATION

Erasing the work done by me, a woman of colour, a single mother.

COMPLICITY & SILENCE

Turning a blind eye or refusing to get involved.

– DETRIMENT & DEPRIVATION

Knowingly destroying the current and future income of Lovedesh. Of my career and the wellbeing of our beneficiaries.

– BULLYING & GASLIGHTING – Issuing legal threats. Or slandering me, my name.

Refusing to attend Rana Plaza Victims memorial event. Yet raising funds using their name.

– DUMPING ON OTHERS

– See Lovedesh Hall of Angels for the sheer array of good souls, charities who have helped, support, mentor. Some are in their 70s, white men. Some donated – some even paid money to help Amber my daughter when I could not afford to. Without them, I would not have survived.

FAKERY, FRAUD, MISSELLING – Stealing my hard-earned money and income for your dodgy services or products. Or covering up issues of fraud when I reported it. Or sending me fake faux messages.

HARMING. Causing distress and harm to my own health – I now have a permanent invisible disability

GHOSTING – Just going silent. Refusing to engage, respond or resolve when we reached out for you.

SWEATSHOPS

Enabling modern-day slavery and the neglect and death of the poorest. On your watch.

VIOLATING & ERASING VOICES OF VICTIMS FOR GREED, POWER AND STATUS

Talking over the Rana Plaza victims and depriving them voice

DO THE RIGHT THING

Here is what we invite each of you to consider doing, to help put right the wrong done.

Hopefully, you will put right the wrong done? By considering the invitation below to pay damages. As well as the other suggestions.

Cough Up & Be Contrite? Lovedesh is seeking to raise at least £11.36 million+ in damages, from a combination of organisations and individuals who hurt us. There is enough money for this.
A Business Guarantor is needed for our retail London HQ premises in Central London W1 – a museum and fashion store. More details to follow.
Say Sorry. A public apology and meeting – in person. Which we will publish on this website.
Sign Up. We are asking all fashion campaigners of all ethnicities, to sign up to the Rana Plaza & Garment Workers Protocol. Until then – we ask that all fashion campaigners halt all campaigns or mentions of Bangladeshi garment workers or Rana Plaza because they and I, deem it deeply racist, stigmatising and deeply problematic. Tone-deaf and Colonialist. If any media or event seeks opinions re Rana Plaza – these must come from the victims themselves. And Lovedesh is happy to arrange this. As well as ensuring you use photographs to be taken by existing Bangladeshi photographers – not foreign photographers. And whenever using an image of a dead garment worker or victims of sweatshops – a donation is made.
Seek Permission. We now ask that any foreign organisation outside of Bangladesh, wishing to fundraise or create a campaign in a manner that either refers to or involves Rana Plaza community, puts forward any proposals to Lovedesh. So that the victims can consider this and give permission.
Funding. Never again raise funds without the permission of Rana Plaza.
Embargo Apil 24 – please do not undertake any fundraising events outside of Bangladesh – this week is now to be called #IRemember1136 and no event can occur without the involvement of Lovedesh and Rana Plaza. If you have raised funds for events in 2022 – LRPVG want them administered by Lovedesh who will involve them.

HOW THE FUNDS HAVE BEEN EARMARKED

Our original plan and webinar in 2020 has been utterly hijacked and sabotaged. We invite everyone who hurt us, to join in to help in the work that I am doing to help not only the Rana Plaza victims but also the poorest and most disadvantaged factory workers. And by doing so, we are more than willing to forgive and move on from the damage that these individuals and organisations in the Lovedesh 10+ Files caused to us.

If you or your organisation wish to assist with these programmes, please get in touch. It is about time that the London fashion scene is seen to be welcoming and hosting those in the supply chain. We welcome contributions from those who are experts in the field of human resources as well as international relocation.

I am also 51. At some point `I wish to retire or have a more peaceful life. And therefore, as a gesture of goodwill – am sharing just some of the pioneering projects. I alone have crafted – which I hope you will support and see the value in. Because we all need to come together to rescue our planet.

LOVEDESH MAISON – HQ STORE. We wish to IMMEDIATELY open a luxury fashion Museum store in Central London. To honour and remember enslaved garment workers and those who died. It will be the world’s first-ever retail concept specifically designed to protect people and planet. We have found a WC1 address. We need £11.36 million. And will showcase and fast track solutions that protect people and planet.

LOVEDESH ARTISAN STUDIO. This program aims to relocate as many former garment workers and hard-up talented artisans as we can, away from sweatshop factories and back to their rural villages. First – they will need to retrain, learn either face to face in London and/or online. We are due to be flying weavers, rural villagers for industrial placements/sabbaticals. Pay them London living wage. To help us produce Lovedesh Haute Couture as well as luxury fashion accessories. Which we will sell in Lovedesh Maison.

We plan to establish demonstration space in-store, at Lovedesh Maison so consumers can meet them. This visit to London will provide mentoring and training placements for talented yet disadvantaged artisans, factory workers. Working on sustainability solutions and artisanal handicraft items for Lovedesh. We already have artisans from Kashmir, Palestine, Bangladesh and many more nations on standby.

We then return them to their home nation. And will use funds raised for flights, accommodation and wages.

Upon returning them to their homeland we know they can help boost the incomes of others, they will be supported by teams at Amcariza Foundation. And slowly establish themselves within their local economy. And be empowered business owners supplying Lovedesh.

We are also working in rural areas to reach the hardest-hit poor communities both in the UK (Lowestoft, Bradford, Cornwall), West and Central Africa and Global South.

RANA PLAZA TRUST FUNDS. We will set up trust funds for the children or next of kin – of the Rana Plaza workers who were killed – who should have benefited from the income Lovedesh was due to earn. As well as the income being earned by fashion campaigners who hosted events around Rana Plaza. We also ask for an additional 11.36% of all revenue earned by any fashion campaign organisation that excluded the involvement of `Rana Plaza Victims Group to be paid into Lovedesh Compensation Fund. So, we can fund “Grassroots Fashion Tour”. See below

LOVEDESH GRASSROOTS TOUR. We plan to fly in some of the members of the Lovedesh Rana Plaza Victims Group, garment workers and artisans to attend – online – with some flown in, if possible, to go on a world tour to help find solutions to fast fashion and climate change – and attend high profile events such as global fashion weeks to Davos as well as COP26. They will also ideally be meeting to educate consumers and brands such as Boohoo, Pretty Little Thing, Misguided – as well as the luxury fashion houses running sweatshops ( we see you Christian Dior). 

With our help, and that of qualified medical professionals and doctors their world tour will ensure their voices are heard. Covid permitting of course.

First up? We plan to open and host a tiny event for London Fashion Week, September 16 2021.

Also, to get them to attend Cannes, Oscars, BAFTAS and more – because there can be no fashion event now, now Climate Change event – without the involvement of the grassroots, who are or have been enslaved – or relatives of those who died making it.

LOVEDESH FILMS. To ensure narrative and point of view from diverse voices within the UK, Global South and nations in Africa. From the global supply chain and POV narrative. Either they work with Lovedesh – their story needs to be told directly – or their story is one which the world needs to hear. For example, we wish to help produce Rana Plaza Victims & Garment Workers to create a compelling, inspiring narrative that charts their journey to leave behind the tragedy. And to embark on a new life that follows their attempts to get medically treated, as well as to establish a permanent livelihood that hopefully provide income from Lovedesh profits.

We also wish to fund a Rwandan film team that employs many women to create their film Roots of Forgiveness films. We are due to launch a film where they discuss what has happened during the Genocide. Again this project was impacted. And much damage was done.

RSVP – if you wish to help support the making of their story, without any strings, please get in touch. As am already due to start talks with producers and others. If your organisation or anyone else you know of, may be interested in supporting, feel free to connect please?

ATELIER & MERCH For London Living Wages / Profit Share.

Funding our fashion ranges Valise, Merch, MintVint – that will be sweatshop-free merch or contribute to a Circular Economy. And raise funds for our haute couture line.

As Lovedesh is a luxury company, we are able to charge higher premium prices for some of the products that we have created, which will be used to fund the projects we wish to deliver, in order to help us protect our planet. And pay sweatshop-free wages.

This includes the Lovedesh – Tee I & II series – As well as a Lovedesh Atelier studio where we hope to engage and mentor and train up skilled artisans from Asia and Africa. So that eventually all workers can be paid London living wage. And attend our workshop in London to be trained up.

Lovedesh Tees Series I & Series II

We were due to be selling as Lovedesh Tees Series I, limited edition, with all production to cease at 11:36 pm GMT on the 24th of April. Due to the disruption and damage caused to us since 2019, to Lovedesh Tee Series I, we have had to revise our plans to 2022.

24.04.2022 Rana Plaza Lovedesh IRemember1136 POPP Fest

#ShutUpForRana Savar, Bangladesh.

Try to create a “#IRemember1136” Garden Of Peace in the current site of the Rana Plaza. We plan to host a one-minute silence around the world from cities ranging from Dhaka, Tokyo, Dubai, Brussels, London, New York etc. And to have some of the biggest music acts.

And host a global concert on 24 April 2022. This is a huge plan – and we are currently in talks with major stakeholders. We ask everyone to instead join us as we plan Lovedesh POPP* Fest – #ShutUpForRanaPlaza from April 24 – 27, 2021 – – a 4-day global festival that marks the tragedy in collaboration with the victims – and that all fashion campaigners get under this campaign.

We are also planning a business symposium is as well as literary, theatre and spoken word performances. In an attempt to honour the victims of Rana Plaza.

MEDICAL TREATMENT – Rana Plaza Victims needs urgent medical assistance – from prosthetic limbs to paying off their debts to combating PTSD. To therapy for the trauma. We plan to slowly reach every victim at Rana Plaza & Tazreen factory fire.

We also plan to introduce garment workers to the arts. As well as to art and design.

Pop*Fest Kids4XmasKids By Hate 2 Love Collective

I am hoping that as Christmas is the season of goodwill to extend compassion to ask each of you – from the organisations who hurt us, and instead begin working with us to help mark the annual anniversary of the tragedy in a new way. So we can stop the hurt. And to ensure you do right the wrong done. And then we can all smile and be happy.

I’m very pleased to announce a second Christmas show that Lovedesh is sponsoring. Given we set up Hate 2 Love Collective – a not for profit theatre show – that aims to create wellbeing and laughter – theatre for the broken-hearted.

The flyer from 2021 is below. Which featured opening keynote speech by Dan Biddle – the survivor of the 7/7 terror attack, Ivan Humble a former Far-Right turned Peace Activist and three British kids – all of whom stepped in to help me. After yet another horrific attack undertaken by greedy, horrid cohort of British adult performers who bullied and hijacked my show – after I raised ethical concerns and safeguarding issues.

The online tickets will be priced £11.36. For online. While the offline ticket prices will be £36.11. The show was designed to help fund gifts for children in Africa, Asia and UK -who are in crisis during Christmas. As well as foster talent from hard-up kids and adults unable to access arts training. And get them to perform.

Agreed?

Lovedesh POPP e-zine

With the help of jobless garment workers and victims of modern-day slavery, we are launching a new FREE magazine to feature ethical luxury fashion and beauty trends and innovations. As well as pioneering tech solutions that will help protect our people and planet. Be like Vogue and feature VIPs and celebrities. It will be directed at consumers as well as the business sectors that cover fashion, food and travel retail and wholesale trade. And curated by the Garment workers led by guest editorial team who will volunteer.

We wish to publish this as a supplement online – without having to rely on any advertisements. As we now realise that often there is a conflict of interest editorially when having to hold rich brands or organisations to account. I am inviting anyone to provide opinion pieces and articles for free. And we will never take payment. Nor feature any adverts. Nor ad or PR sponsorship. As we do not wish for Rana Plaza victims to be beholden to anyone. And we will ask that each month – we find a key stakeholder to help us produce it. (Vogue – feel free to get in touch as to date not one of your journalists have found any value in the pioneering work that Lovedesh has been doing – and Rana Plaza are most upset at you have consistently featured voices of privilege to talk on their behalf).

BTW. We will feature many Lovedesh products in this online publication in order to then use profits to help pay the Rana Plaza. victims and survivors for their collaboration. As well as feature for free – upcoming designers – who are not being given a chance by London Fashion Week as we know how white-centric and non-diverse this event remains breadcrumbing ethnic or working-class talent with the odd nod.

RSVP – We now wish to appoint an editorial panel – if you would like your organisation to be considered, please let us know?

PROJECTS FOR GOOD – these include funding climate change projects and projects to combat poverty in UK and abroad. Building a surfing school for girls in Bangladesh to resurrecting extinct fabric Dhaka Muslin.

And have been working on developing the following solutions for the past year.

Rana Plaza Victims & Garment Workers Webinar 11.36am Date TBC

The Rana Plaza victims are also keen to engage in conversation via Lovedesh hosted webinar where I plan to help outline some of the solutions for the fashion sector.

They desire a meeting with all CEOs and foreign senior stakeholders (outside of Bangladesh) in the global fashion sector. Lovedesh is inviting everyone to attend the webinar. With the date to be confirmed. We will then sell tickets with all profits to be donated to the Rana Plaza. victim and survivors’ group. So that they can continue to mobilise and get funded. We hope for all such funds to be managed by volunteer trustees. If anyone wishes to offer their time or services, please feel free to get in touch with me.

We believe this webinar will be the first of its kind to ever platform and promote the voices of grassroots.

T&Cs

We have no intention of taking this to court. We don’t want to pay legal fees. Nor ask the hardworking public to crowdfund our fees.

The compensation amount can be paid into our crowd funder below. So the public can see the evidence.

https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/justiceforyasmin

Lovedesh and the communities it serves, decline to sign any nondisclosure agreement. As we seek protection under the UN Declaration for Human Rights Defenders.

Articles 1, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 11, 12 and 13 of the Declaration provide specific protections to human rights defenders, All of which can be found here.

In particular, I wish to draw your attention to the following paragraphs

To seek the protection and realisation of human rights at the national and international levels;
To conduct human rights work individually and in association with others;
To form associations and non-governmental organisations;
To meet or assemble peacefully;
To seek, obtain, receive and hold information relating to human rights;
To make complaints about official policies and acts relating to human rights and to have such complaints reviewed;

We will also be seeking support from our own British Govt – especially the Foreign Office as well as Prime Minister Boris Johnson – who will be sent a copy of the Lovedesh 10+ files to ask how he plans to help protect whistle-blowers and human rights, defenders. And to prevent political parties from gagging and paying off employees who whistleblew.

Should any of you mentioned in the Lovedesh Hall Of Horrors seek to issue legal threats to try and gag me or Lovedesh, then we are poised to launch a crowdfunding campaign. And are being backed by Rana Plaza victims who have personally told me this “anyone who harms Lovedesh also harms us and we will fight to protect not only the work Yasmin is doing to support and protect us.”

We will also advise you that should you do so, we will ask our legal teams to present this open letter to any court or judge and involve witnesses from your organisations. In order to demonstrate how some of you continued to benefit financially and continue to establish their credentials in “fighting for” human rights, when in fact we possess evidence to show many have in fact ended up doing the opposite. And harmed human rights movement and campaigns.

Who else?

As you can see.

You are not the only ones. Every and any individual and organisation who has ever stolen from Lovedesh, or hurt or prevented us from delivering our human rights work, has been sent a link to this letter.

Many feel it is in the interest of the public to understand the extent to which well-known celebrities and organisations hurt and damage the human rights work undertaken by Lovedesh and me as a CEO – a female entrepreneur. Especially a woman of colour and a single parent. Who has been left having to handle an invisible disability.

This is because Lovedesh attempted to solve this privately. But of course, we got nowhere. Now time is of the essence and we are also not expecting you to make any financial gesture. And also want to bring to the public’s attention the damage and destruction done to Lovedesh. And how behind-the-scenes, some organisations are using individuals particularly those from ethnic minorities to actually harm their own communities.

After George Floyd, the pandemic, the world is a very different place today. The public is no longer tolerant of those who trample over the poorest. And I sat down today to collect compensation because despite all my hard work to let it all go – I find Lovedesh in crisis.

And I spent time during the pandemic understanding this. That had even 5% of you, who have hurt the workload chosen to do done the right thing, say sorry – this letter may not have even been needed to have been written. And Lovedesh could have continued on with its hard work. We just could not.

Gesture of Goodwill

Under no circumstances do I, nor Lovedesh Rana Plaza victims group wish to cause any of you distress or harm.

That is not our intention.

We want you to flourish. We want you to do well. But it should never have been done at the expense of the work I was doing at Lovedesh for the world’s poorest.

All Lovedesh seeks now, is please put right the wrong done. That is a very reasonable request. Because it’s not okay for you to get away with what you have done to me to Lovedesh. And LRPVG.

To show how open and compassionate we wish to be, towards our transgressors, here is a series of gestures.

We will not seek any further compensation – and are more than happy to have legal papers drawn up to confirm this.

Lovedesh would be delighted to invite 1 representative to the store opening – should this be achieved.

We are happy to forgive each of you for the wrong done. Once you show evidence you are genuine and sincere. And received that which we have asked for.

To again invite you one day – to join in and support the work we do. Get stuck in – but of course, this will be at our discretion. And only after rigorous ethical training undertaken at the Lovedesh Academy.

Conclusion

This is an invitation for you all, to do the right thing.

If you happen to think the amount of compensation we are seeking is too much, please provide an explanation? And justification? As we think this is very reasonable due to the evidence presented and the communities we represent.

Because you all did end up bullying me, a humanitarian. A broke single mother.

You trampled over me, my dreams and the work I had done for the world’s poorest. And there have to be consequences for the actions and horrific treatment by many unethical individuals, organisations who should’ve known better, the work has been delayed, harmed and damaged.

I also wish to show our intention was and is not to defame nor to hurt and damage. We do not wish anyone to be bullied, hurt or even lose their livelihoods. Nor vigilantism. And anyone seeking to slander or hurt you – we will do all we can to ensure your protection. And that it will not be in our names.

Humans make mistakes because they often allow themselves to become part of processes and policies which are not designed to protect our planet but in fact uphold and assist individual agendas, greed and status.

And I hope that by publishing damning evidence against you all, especially campaigners, charities – this is further proof of how even the most robust and guerrilla activism in the case of XR, can fall foul to lone wolves operating in a system that allows them to have the power to hurt the weakest in society.

My daughter and I spent more than 10 years exploring the root causes of poverty. We have found solutions. She started when she was 7. We have suffered hardship, homelessness. Every penny has been spent rescuing Lovedesh – despite the enormous attacks. It is unacceptable me and her and the people we work with suffered so much.

What you did was heart-breaking. And I will never be able to see the smiles of the poorest folks who have died since they collaborated with Lovedesh.

Life is short. Think of your legacy? Surely you did not undertake all your hard work and talent only for Lovedesh to have written you a letter such as this?

Should you wish to ignore, or even attempt to take this to court. Feel free. Sue Lovedesh. I am that sick of greed and corruption. And we have already instructed our small but loyal community of followers, to help us fund a Crowdfunding Campaign. The victims of Rana Plaza will then protest on the streets of Bangladesh.

We don’t want that. Nor do you. So please just do the right thing?

Thank you.

Yours sincerely

Yasmin Choudhury

CEO of Lovedesh & Lovedesh Rana Plaza Victims Group (LRPVG)

LOVEDESH HALL OF HORRORS

ALI NAGOR CHOUDHURY FAMILY

A video link is being posted here soon. On why the people below need to be banned from setting foot in Ali Nagor. And why I plan to report them to Bangladeshi Police. And to ensure the entire world knows how they colluded to destroy Lovedesh and all my charitable works in 2015.

My immediate family

Enamul Haque Choudhury (Enam) – British Bangladeshi citizen

Nazmin Choudhury – British Bangladeshi citizen NC Law

Jasmin Choudhury – British Bangladeshi citizen, Advisor to Met Police and former Trustee of Gingerbread.

Naz Choudhury – British citizen and solicitor of NC Law

Nazrin Choudhury – US Resident & Screenwriter

Rima Rouf Founder of ChitChat Pans – Wife Of Nazmul Choudhury – former BBC Producer.

Assisted by

Jahangir Chowdhury (Javed)

Faisal Ahmed Chowdhury – of Baraka Power (this company has done no wrong)

Fahim Ahmed Chowdhury of Barak Power

Saleh Ahmed Khasru – BNP Politician

+ Rushi Ahmed Chowdhury – wife of Faisal Ahmed Choudhury

FASHION CAMPAIGNERS / MEDIA

(In Alphabetical Order)

Fashion Campaigners/Media

– Academy Awards

– Aja Barber

– Apparel Insider – Brett Matthews

– Awaj Foundation – Nazma Akthar & Shimmie Technology Sarah Krasley, Founder & CEO

– Aiden Wicker Of Eco Cult

– Ayesha Barenblaat of Remake Our World

– British Fashion Council – London Fashion Week

– Common Objective Tamsin Lejeune

– Clean Clothes Campaign P25 – Board Members

– Drapers Record

– Ellen Macarthur Foundation

– Extinction Rebellion – Tim Crosland, Plan B and Alanna Byrne for Extinction Rebellion (XR) & Their Stella McCartney Collaboration.

– Fairwear Foundation, EU

– Fashion Revolution Orsola Di Castro

– Forbes

– Justice in Fashion – Sharon Benning-Prince & Marje De Roos

– July Fashion (TBC)

– Laudes Foundation – Leslie Johnson & Jill Tucker

– No Sweat

– Oh So Ethical

– Oxfam Fashion Campaign Division – Second Hand September

– People Tree – Safia Minney

– RCGD – Suzy Cameron and Samata Pattinson of Red Carpet Green Dress

– RCGD CEO Samata Pattinson

– RSA – Royal Society Of Arts

– Sourcing Journal – Jasmine Malik Chua https://twitter.com/jasminchua

– Slave Free Trade

– Slow Fashion Movement

– TENCEL™ Luxe

ACTING

– Academy Awards

– BAFTA

-Former Cast & Crew of Hate 2 Love Colletive – Xmas Panto Mother Goose

– Oscars

ENTERTAINMENT

Love Productions (now owned by Sky Ventures?)

Anne Kibel Management

Nadya Hussain OBE*

– Love Productions Stealing programme ideas from Lovedesh for Chronicles of Nadiya Hussain

– Refusing to honour moral rights and engaging law firms – an intimidating and menacing act

*We want to clarify that we have never had any direct contact with Nadiya Hussain – however, we would like evidence that she was not made aware of the dispute that Lovedesh was in with Love Productions. And that her agent Anne Kibel sent an email to endorse their actions towards the harm done to Lovedesh.

We will also be reaching out to BBC Two (who commissioned the programme) as well as Sky Ventures – whom I believe now own Love Productions.

As well as Channel 4 who transmit the Great British Bake Off (GBBO) – to explain that Lovedesh is in a public dispute with the above. And that we operate without fear or favour and it’s not okay for broadcasters to be complicit with others who have hurt and damaged Lovedesh.

POLITICS

Federal Party Of The Liberal Democrats

Baroness Sal Brinton

Baroness Parminter

MP Sarah Olney Richmond Park

LDCRE – Liberal Democrats Commission For Racial Equality

Councillor Humaira Ali, Southwark

Councillor Hina Bokhari – Merton

Dr Mohsin Khan – he was on the internal panel that got me sacked.

Nasser Butt – Lib Dem Muslim Forum

Labour

– Shadow Home Minister Nick Thomas Symonds

– Labour Women’s conference – question to assembly.

– Ethnic Labour MPs

– MP Steve Reed – he has blocked me.

– Murad Qureshi – former London Assembly Member

Merton Council

Mark Allison

Cllr Natasha Irons

Zak Dada – Merton Mutual Aid

JOURNALISM

Indy Voices & The Independent – UK

New York Times – Elizabeth Paton

Brooke Taylor Islam (via Randall Lane – Forbes Business editor).

Anders Melin – Bloomberg

Nadine White – Independent https://twitter.com/Nadine_Writes?s=20

Hatchett

PUBLIC SECTOR

– Metropolitan Police – Croydon Police & – Brixton Police

– Mayor Of London – Sadiq Khan

– Shaw Trust

– Schools – Ricards lodge School Governors

BANGLADESH

– Bangladesh Ali Nagor Chairman Mamun, Beani Bazaarm Bangladesh

– Aladin Aladin

– Oh So Ethical – see fashion

Crowdfunding Platforms

CEO of Tim Cadogan Go Fund Me (re Shimmy Tech Crowdfunder)

CEO Jerry Needel, Just Giving UK

Banks & Financial Institutions

Barclays – leadership Team

Metro Bank

Post Office – Bank Of Ireland

X- Debt

EMPLOYERS

– Airbnb (2011)

– Barclays (1997-2002)

– Monster – 2010 (not the current leadership)

– McArthurGlen & C and C Search (2018)

Legal firms/Barristers

– NC Law

– Aina Khan & Her Deputy

-Eddie Monioro-Less, Monioro Less Solicitors

-Barker Gottlee

– Paul Stanislas, Barrister

Companies

Apple London

British Gas

Bristow & Sutor

Haarts Estate Agency

Hastings

Vodafone

Trade Unions & Not For Profits

– Prospect Trade Union – CEO Mike Clancy

– CEDR

Charities

– Dress For Success

– Charities Commission

– Chair Simon Bentley, Board & Staff of Gingerbread

– St Mungo’s

– National Zakat Foundation CEO

– Muslim Council Of Britain

– MWN (Muslim Women’s Network)

– Just Giving

– Go Fund Me

– Nia Project

– Victim Support

– Surviving Economic Abuse

The post Our CEO’s Open Letter To Those In The Lovedesh Hall Of Horrors appeared first on Lovedesh.

LOVEDESH POPP*FEST #KIDS4KIDS XMAS SHOW PARTY NEWSLETTER

Lovedesh Team — Fri, 04 Dec 2020 15:42:52 +0000

NEWS

8 December 2020 – London

7/7 TERROR SURVIVOR DAN BIDDLE JOINS BRITISH KIDS

IN A ZOOM XMAS PARTY SHOW TO SUPPORT KIDS IN CHRISTMAS CRISIS

Proudly supported by Gem Of A Gift Wales

Millions of kids this Christmas remain at extreme risk due to terrorism, modern day slavery, life as war refugees, adult addiction in UK and abroad. In April 2013, 1,136 factory garment workers, many women, some of whom were young were killed when the Rana Plaza factory collapsed in Bangladesh.

To help remember the lives lost and the suffering of kids during Christmas, a new pioneering theatre show will be piloted. On Saturday 19 December, at 7pm GMT via zoom show, British kids are taking control to help protect our planet and people – especially kids in crisis. As they, with the help of Hate to Love Collective host Lovedesh POPP*Fest (Protect Our Planet Festival) #KidsForXmasKids Show party. Tickets are £11.36 – to honour those who died in the Rana Plaza factory collapse.

A fun, online, Covid Free not-for-profit Xmas party by British kids for kids in need in UK & Asia and Africa. Sponsored and supported by Lovedesh – British ethical luxury brand run by Yasmin Choudhury and Amber Choudhury-Kaye, a British mother and daughter design duo from London.

The event is family friendly, with prizes to be won. Ideal for family & friends or anyone on their own.

British kids performing in the show include sisters Eva Furey (age 12), Isla Furey (age 10). As well as 9 year old Michael Marshall a pupil at Foxborough Primary School in Slough. Together they will make their online screen debut in a performance reading called “The Xmas Hat”, a new original short play by Lovedesh CEO Yasmin Choudhury. None of them have ever performed before. To explore the concept of jobless parents, power dynamics and bullying as perceived by kids.

Young British musician Valentin Flint-Hartle (aged 10) from South West England, will play a live musical instrument.

The kids will also sing carols and the evening will culminate with the guest speakers and adults hosting a quiz. Attendees are invited to turn up in fancy dress or panto costume.

Ticket are priced £11.36, to remember 1,136 victims of the Rana Plaza modern-day slavery victims. And proceeds will help fund Lovedesh projects to POPP (Protect Our Planet + People) as well as raise donations for kids in crisis. All performances by child talent volunteers are being supported by Hate2Love Collective and its committee of experts, a new British theatre collective supporting adult and child arts & creative talent under hardship. And from disadvantaged backgrounds.

Key speaker is Dan Biddle. Survivor of the horrific 7/7 terror attacks in London, who lost both his legs in the bombing – one of the worst ever acts of terrorism on UK soil, will be giving a reading. As well as Ivan Humble former far right, now peace activist.

Together, they and Lovedesh with the help of this cohort of British kids plan to bring some festive cheer while also reminding audiences of the work being done founder Yasmin’s not-for-profit projects and help being planned for children and adult victims in UK, Asia & Africa.

One such child is Jannat, who features in Lovedesh’s #SaveJannat campaign. Aged 6, a twin girl in need of urgent medical attention. Whose parents are victims of Rana Plaza and whose aunt died in the factory collapse, when she was 16. As well as kids who survived terror attacks as well as those whose parents are drug or drink addicts.

Dan Biddle commenting said “Christmas is a time for healing and peace. As a survivor, I spend my life battling pain and think often of the kids who are also victims. And am so happy to join in to help these amazing British kids to help kids in need.”

Ivan Humble added “Hatred is something we must all combat and at Christmas we are reminded of its message of peace and love – it is an incredible honour to join innocent children to bring some cheer and joy to Brits as well as trying to help kids in crisis”

Yasmin Choudhury, CEO of Lovedesh and founder of Hate2Love Collective, comments: “Millions of kids are in crisis due to the actions of adults – be it abuse, war, modern day slavery as well as addiction. As a mother myself, for years I have dreamed of an event that can be hosted by children for children. Ta-dah – Lovedesh POPP*Fest is it. An event I created to be led by kids for kids. We expect many tech issues as this show was developed by volunteers. And so proud of the kids for stepping up to help others in need. We hope to bring it to a wider national and global acclaim in Easter 2021 and Christmas 2021 – so watch this space”

Isla, & Eva & Michael Marshall explained: “It is so important to help other kids not just in our country but everywhere around the world. It is so sad they cannot enjoy Christmas and we wanted to find a way to let them know we think of them. As well as bringing some fun and joy to audiences who won’t mind us kids running the show – ha ha!”

(ENDS)

Press Queries

Yasmin Choudhury

+44 7786 727 811

press@hatelovecollective.org

media@lovedesh.com

Notes To Editors

Tickets to Lovedesh POPP*Fest (Protect Our Planet Festival) #KidsForXmasKids Show party. by Hate2LoveCollective are £11.36 each and can be booked at the website.

Hate2Love Collective is the brain child of Yasmin. And supported and sponsored by Lovedesh, a British company on a mission to POPP (Protect Our Planet & People).

This is a Zoom show by children with no formal professional training – please be kind. And as there may be tech issues as all this is volunteer run.

We also reserve the right to change the show and its guests due to Covid.

T&Cs apply / Children’s Attendance Under Parental / Responsible Adult Supervision Only

Membership of the Collective is free and open to anyone over the age of 18.

www.hate2lovecollective.org

The post LOVEDESH POPP*FEST #KIDS4KIDS XMAS SHOW PARTY NEWSLETTER appeared first on Lovedesh.

News about Lovedesh Archives | Lovedesh

RANA PLAZA VICTIMS FIGHT BACK AGAINST “FASHION REVOLUTION WEEK” AS A CRIMINAL COURT ACCEPTS BRITISH BUSINESSWOMAN’S CRIME COMPLAINT IN BANGLADESH ON THEIR BEHALF Copy

A reminder that just before 9am local time, 24 April 2013, a factory called Rana Plaza in Savar, Dhaka collapsed. On the heads of 5,000 plus crammed garment workers.

Killing 1,136 (according to survivors). With over 2,000, left injured, disabled. And many more missing to this day.

“A third of people affected by Rana Plaza collapse in Bangladesh still ‘traumatised’ and struggling with physical and mental health a decade on”

(Action Aid Research 2023)

”We used to be voiceless but not anymore. On each anniversary of the Rana Plaza tragedy, I believe millions of Taka have been collected for 10 years, by foreign fashion organisations and others based in Dhaka. But my family never received a penny of this. This is not ok.”

BENGALI

** প্রেস স্টেটমেন্ট **

মঙ্গলবার 16 মে 2023

#IRemember1136 + #Shutup4RanaPlaza

1,136 জনকে হত্যা করা (বেঁচে থাকা ব্যক্তিদের মতে)। সঙ্গে 2,000, বাম আহত, প্রতিবন্ধী. এবং আজ অবধি নিখোঁজ আরও অনেকে।

Official Legal Notice 24.04.24 – 10th Anniversary of Rana Plaza Factory Collapse

10TH ANNIVERSARY – RANA PLAZA SURVIVORS ISSUE LEGAL WARNING TO FASHION REVOLUTION WEEK

Yasmin Choudhury, CEO of Lovedesh asks for protection from U.K., Sweden & Bangladesh’s Govts.

The Horror Of Fashion

OUR COVERING LETTER RE #BakeOffFakeOff – THE GBBO DISPUTE

OPEN LETTER : WHY GBBO WINNER NADIYA HUSSAIN, ITS CREATORS LOVE PRODUCTION & AGENT ANNE KIBEL OF AK MANAGEMENT MUST STOP

#BakeOffFakeOff

Product Prominence

Credits

Open Letter To Barclays

Our CEO’s Open Letter To Those In The Lovedesh Hall Of Horrors

LOVEDESH POPP*FEST #KIDS4KIDS XMAS SHOW PARTY NEWSLETTER

NEWS

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