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 deport Bangabandhu’s self-confessed killer, showing respect to the laws of Bangladesh.
"Rashed Chowdhury, one of the prime culprits of the incident, took shelter in the United States. We do not know exactly why, at whose behest and for what purpose they (US) are not returning him,” Shahriar said while speaking at a protest rally organized by Bangladesh Awami Swechhasebak League on the 18th anniversary of a series of bomb blasts in 63 districts by the militant organization JMB on August 17, 2005.
The state minister said the United States is profoundly vocal on the question of human rights and democracy, and Bangladesh considers the US to be a friendly country, but it gives Bangladeshis pain and makes them frustrated when the US shelters the killer of Bangabandhu.
The five killers of Bangabandhu who 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, end injustice and restore the rule of law, there is no alternative to implementing the verdict of the murder trial, Shahriar Alam said.
"I hope they will definitely return Rashed Chowdhury,” he said.
Earlier, Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen criticized the United States and Canada for giving shelter to killers of Bangabandhu instead of handing them over to Bangladesh.
“It is a shame for those countries and unfortunate for us,” he said, referring to the US and Canada not returning the two convicted killers of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.
Referring to a recent survey conducted by a US-based organization that shows massive support for Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Shahriar said no space has been given to any “terrorist party” that issues threats.
He highlighted government efforts to boost security and how militants were uprooted from Rajshahi and other parts of the country.