FE REPORT
Bangladesh National Party (BNP) called upon on Friday both Russia and Ukraine to stop fighting for the sake of peace and stability in the world.
Expressing concern over the deaths of several hundreds of people including a Bangladeshi sailor during the ongoing war in the last few days, the party said the invasion by the Russian Federation was a clear violation of Ukraine's independence and sovereignty.
"BNP has also voiced concern over the attacks on the Ukrainians by Russia during the last seven days and mourned the deaths of several hundreds people including a Bangladeshi sailor," said BNP secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir while speaking at a press conference held at the office of the party's chairperson at Gulshan in the city.
Russia's attacks on Ukraine were totally against the Charter of the United Nations, he said, adding that except only five nations, other countries including United States of America, Canada, United Kingdom, Northern Ireland and the European Union voted against the Russian attacks on Ukraine during a special meeting of the UN.
During the special session of the UN on Russia-Ukraine conflicts, only 35 countries including Bangladesh abstained from voting.
Mr Fakhrul said the people of Bangladesh always respect the independence and sovereignty of any country including Ukraine and oppose any kind of their violation.
"But the government of Bangladesh does not bother public opinion as it had taken opposite (abstained from voting) side during the UN resolution against Russian attacks," he added.
Fakhrul said the government of Bangladesh had failed to take effective steps to fulfil the country's people expectation and inspiration on Rohingya issue, reflecting its subservient foreign policy and thus putting the country's independence and sovereignty at stake.
"BNP believes that the attacks carried out by Russia on Ukraine were a gross violation of Ukraine's independence and sovereignty. This kind of expansionary and aggressive activities by Russia was totally against the UN charter. These attacks are a clear threat to independence and sovereignty of Ukraine."
"BNP believes enthusiastic public opinion of the countrymen (Bangladesh) has mixed with the whole world's democratic and human rights spirit," he mentioned.
Despite public opinion, the BNP leader said, the government has taken stance as it had abstained from voting during the special session of the UN General Assembly. "It was totally against the spirit of democracy and human values as enshrined in the Constitution of Bangladesh."
BNP standing committee members Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury and Iqbal Hasan Mahmud were present among others.
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