BANGLADESH

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today reiterated her government's tough stance against terrorism and militancy and vowed that it (government) would never

compromise on this question.

She also called for united global efforts to curb the menaces as the terrorists and militants have no boundary.

The Prime Minister expressed the resolve when Canada's Special Envoy on Commonwealth Membership Renewal Senator Hugh Segal paid a courtesy call on her at her

office here this morning.

After the meeting, Press Secretary to the Prime Minister Abul Kalam Azad briefed reporters.

Sheikh Hasina informed the envoy that her government contained terrorism and militancy with an iron hand in the last three years. In this connection, she mentioned the

massive terrorist activities including the August 21 grenade attack on an Awami League rally in Dhaka and series bomb explosions at 500 places across the country

simultaneously during the rule of the previous BNP-Jamaat alliance government.

The Prime Minister said incumbent President Zillur Rahman's wife Ivy Rahman, former finance minister Shah AMS Kibria, MP, and Ahsan Ullah Master,MP, were brutally

killed in the terrorist attacks during the period.

She also said her government is working tirelessly to further
strengthen the democratic system including the Election Commission and ensure human rights of the people.

"No country could achieve its desired goal without continuation of democracy and ensuring the human rights of the people," she added.

She mentioned that all elections, including 12 Jatiya Sangsad by-polls, city corporation, upazila, municipality and union council, staged under the present government, were

held in a free, fair and neutral manner with the spontaneous participation of all.

"No single allegation was raised about the polls from any corner," she added.

About bringing back of the convicted killer of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, Maj (retd) Noor Chowdhury, who is residing in Canada, the Prime

Minister said Canada should return him (Noor Chowdhury) to Bangladesh to face justice.

In response, the envoy told the Prime Minister that he would convey her message on the issue to the appropriate authorities of the Canadian government.

Segal highly appreciated the dynamic and visionary leadership of Sheikh Hasina and the successes Bangladesh achieved in the last three years under her leadership. They

also held a detailed discussion on the preparation of the next Commonwealth Summit to be held in Sri Lanka.

Issues relating to the trial of war criminals, climate change, food security and poverty alleviation also came up prominently for discussion.

Ambassador-At-Large M Ziauddin, Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister Sheikh M Wahid Uz Zaman, PMO Secretary Molla Waheeduzzaman, Press Secretary Abul Kalam

Azad and Canadian High Commissioner in Dhaka Heather Cruden were present.