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Govt's top priority is to bring back Sheikh Hasina

Press secretary tells press briefing


FE REPORT | January 06, 2025 00:00:00


The government's top priority is to bring back deposed Sheikh Hasina to face trial for her alleged crimes, Chief Adviser's Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam said on Sunday.

"We have sent a note verbale (to India) requesting her extradition and will persist in our efforts to ensure she faces justice," he told a press briefing at the Foreign Service Academy.

He emphasised the government's unwavering resolve, saying, "We will not back down even an inch in our determination to bring her back for trial."

He added that the government would exert efforts far surpassing those Sheikh Hasina herself undertook to bring her father's murderers to justice.

Responding to questions, Mr Alam expressed optimism about the extradition process, noting, "Nobody in the world wants to harbor a killer."

He expected that global awareness, including within India, would increase regarding her alleged crimes, which he described as "sinful acts" and "horrors."

When asked about the possibility of bringing her back during this interim government's tenure, he said that political parties are their stakeholders and asserted that future political administrations would continue pursuing her return as a matter of generational commitment.

The press secretary said they did not hear anything from the Indian side yet on her extradition request but the government's efforts are there to bring her back.

In a related announcement, he revealed plans to grant media workers a rare opportunity to visit the infamous Aynaghar, a facility known as a torture cell and secret prison during the previous Awami government's tenure.

"Media personnel will witness firsthand the Aynaghar, where countless individuals endured unspeakable suffering. This initiative aims to expose the inhumane treatment inflicted upon innocent people by the previous fascist regime," he said.

Mr Alam highlighted that many detainees left writings on the cell walls, chronicling their harrowing experiences. These remnants, he noted, stand as stark evidence of past atrocities.

This move aligns with the interim government's pledge to promote transparency and accountability. By shedding light on these dark chapters of history, the administration seeks to foster public awareness and reinforce its commitment to human rights.

He said that discussions with political parties regarding the July Proclamation are planned, although no specific date has been set.

Asked about the deadline for publishing the July proclamation, Mr Alam said: "We mentioned in our declaration that it would be released within a few days. We are currently working towards that goal."

On December 30 last year, the interim government announced that it had taken the initiative to prepare a proclamation of the July mass uprising based on national consensus.

He said this declaration will be adopted in order to consolidate the people's unity, anti-fascist spirit and desire for state reform developed through the July uprising.

He said the proclamation will be prepared based on the views of all participating students, political parties and stakeholders, including the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement that led the uprising.

On the progress of the Sagar-Runi murder investigation, the press secretary disclosed that a task force, formed in November, had recently interviewed 25 to 30 new individuals.

He expressed hope in the efforts of the Police Bureau of Investigation (PBI), noting that substantial progress is being made.

"We remain optimistic about achieving positive results, as the PBI is working diligently and with great determination," he concluded.

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