Prime Minister's Information and Broadcasting Adviser Dr Zahed Ur Rahman today said there is no scope for any form of ‘reconciliation’ with the banned Awami League (AL).
“This is because, instead of apologising for genocide and crimes against humanity, the party continues to engage in terrorist activities, harass Dr Muhammad Yunus abroad, and attempt to incite instability within the country,” he said.
Dr. Zahed was responding to a question at a weekly press briefing at the conference room of the Press Information Department (PID) at Bangladesh Secretariat here.
Referring to the harassment of Professor Muhammad Yunus at New York’s JFK Airport, he said the AL has yet to express any remorse after committing mass killing.
On the contrary, he said, the AL men remain engaged in harassing Dr Yunus, other responsible government officials, and an actress on foreign soil, while also attempting to incite violence at home.
Reply to another query regarding security arrangements for Dr Yunus at the airport, the adviser said the matter of whether there was any lapse on the part of the Bangladesh Embassy there in ensuring his security at New York airport would be seriously investigated.
He added that legal proceedings have already been initiated against those who harassed actress Badhon, and the same course of action would be taken in Dr Yunus's case.
"I want to tell the Awami terrorists located in various places abroad that if they attempt such actions again, it will not go unchallenged. This is out of question," he said.
Dr Zahed said the question of whether reconciliation might be possible if some members of the Awami League were to apologise is entirely hypothetical.
"This is because, even after committing a heinous crime like genocide, the government has a record of their various misdeeds, terrorist activities, and attempts to incite nationwide unrest through audio messages over the past two years,” he said.
Under these circumstances, he added, “It is out of question of holding talks or reaching a consensus with them.”
About repatriation of Sheikh Hasina from India, the adviser clearly stated that the government is pursuing the legal process to formally bring her back home to ensure justice.
“However, the government would have no objection if she were to return voluntarily; upon her return, she would face the judicial process and any sentences handed down by the courts for the crimes against humanity she committed,” he said.
Dr Zahed also outlined the ongoing progress in reforming and modernising the Bangladesh Press Council Act aimed at curbing unethical journalism while upholding press freedom.
Joint Secretary to the Ministry Dr Md Alam Mustafa and Senior Deputy Principal Information Officer (DPIO) Most. Mobassera Kadery were present at the briefing, reports BSS.