US should hand over Bangabandhu’s self-confessed killer: Shahriar Alam

Describing August 15, 1975 as the biggest human rights violation in independent Bangladesh, State Minister for Foreign Affairs Md Shahriar Alam on Thursday urged the United States to hand over Bangabandhu’s self-confessed killer, showing respect to the law of Bangladesh.

"Rashed Chowdhury, one of the prime culprits of the incident, took shelter in the United States. We don‍‍`t know exactly why, at whose behest and for what purpose they (US) are not returning him,” he added.

The state minister said that the United States is profoundly vocal on the question of human rights and democracy and Bangladesh considers the US as a friendly country but it gives Bangladeshis pain and makes them frustrated when the US shelters the killer of the Father of the Nation, reports UNB.

Shahriar Alam was speaking at a protest rally organized by Bangladesh Awami Swechhasebak League on August 17, 2005, on the 18th anniversary of the series bomb blasts in 63 districts across the country by the militant organization JMB.

The five killers of Bangabandhu who still remain fugitives are Khandaker Abdur Rashid, Shariful Haque Dalim, Nur Chowdhury, Rashed Chowdhury and Moslehuddin Khan.

Of them, Nur Chowdhury and Rashed Chowdhury have been traced in Canada and the US.

To respect the laws of Bangladesh, to end injustice and to restore the rule of law, there is no alternative to implement the verdict of the trial, Shahriar Alam said.

"I hope they will definitely return Rashed Chowdhury,” he said.

Earlier, Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen criticised the United States and Canada for giving shelter to killers of Bangabandhu instead of handing them over to Bangladesh with various excuses.

“It’s a shame for those countries while (it is) unfortunate for us,” he said, referring to the US and Canada not returning the convicted killers of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.

Referring to a recent survey conducted by the US-based organisation that shows massive support for Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Shahriar Alam said no space was given to any terrorist party who gives threats.

He highlighted government efforts in boosting security and how militants were uprooted from Rajshahi and other parts of the country.