Bangladesh is “unwavering” in its commitment to rooting out terrorism and fighting the use of weapons of mass destruction by terrorists, the foreign minister has said.
Abul Hassan Mahmood Ali on Monday said his government’s unshakable stand against terrorism was “the greatest strength” helping Bangladesh to contribute to regional and global peace and security.
Ali said this at the inauguration of a workshop on the UN Security Council Resolution 1540, adopted in 2004, proposing legally binding measures against the use of weapons of mass destruction by terrorists.
Bangladesh’s national committee, chaired by the foreign secretary, organised the workshop jointly with the New York-based 1540 Experts Committee of the Resolution and the Kathmandu-based UN Regional Centre for Peace and Disarmament in Asia.
The foreign minister said Bangladesh was “deeply committed” to the full resolution’s full implementation, saying “we unequivocally support all international efforts at promoting a more peaceful and safer world”.
He said this commitment was derived from the country’s Constitution.
He said Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina had always strongly campaigned for “complete elimination of all weapons of mass destruction”, and upheld her own foreign policy conviction — disarmament for development and a nuclear-weapons free and terrorism-free South Asia”.
He said the Awami League-led government had taken “a number of bold, pragmatic, and concrete steps” to eradicate terrorism, snap its finance routes, and halt the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and small arms.
“We have maintained zero-tolerance towards terrorists to ensure Bangladesh territory is not used by them against the interest of our neighbouring countries, thereby making our region safer and more secure,” he said.
He said Resolution 1540 and the series of subsequent follow-up resolutions were “watershed achievements”.
“These resolutions demonstrate the determination of the UN Membership to pursue comprehensive efforts to address the nexus between WMD and terrorism and to close the gap in international law regarding non-state actors and WMDs”.
He said Bangladesh was aware of the legally binding obligations under the resolution.
“We remain conscious of our national actions that need to be further strengthened under Resolution 1540, especially in implementing appropriate national measures.”
Among the things that he felt needed shoring-up were national criminal laws and penal processes, national plans of action, export controls, border vigil, law enforcement, physical security and nuclear material accounting techniques.
He said Bangladesh had already “fulfilled its obligations of submitting two reports on its national implementation of UNSCR 1540 to the 1540 Experts Committee”.
He, however, added: “It is not surprising that as a developing country we may have some gaps in our legal, regulatory and national coordination infrastructure, and deficiencies in our agency-wide capacity and experiences to fulfil every provisions of Resolution 1540.”
He said the two-day workshop, ending on Tuesday, would discuss, identify and address the gaps and factors that “impede Bangladesh from fulfilling its obligations to the fullest under the terms of the resolution”.
He, however, sought continued support of the international community, including the UN.
Zawar Haider Abidi, an expert of the Committee Established Pursuant to Security Council Resolution 1540, welcomed Bangladesh’s move to organise the workshop on the eve of its 10th anniversary.
He said Bangladesh is the “first country in the region and beyond” that invited 1540 resolution expert team for the workshop.
Foreign Secretary M Shahidul Haque, who chairs the Bangladesh committee, said development would founder without peace and stability.
He said Bangladesh witnessed an economic slowdown during phase of violence before Jan 5 elections.
Director General (UN) at Foreign Ministry Saida Muna Tasneem said the workshop was being organised under the aegis of Bangladesh’s National Committee on UN Security Council Resolutions formed in Oct 2012.
Principal Staff Officer of the Armed Forces Division Lieutenant General Abu Belal Muhammad Shafiul Huq, who is also the Chair of the National Authority for the Chemical Weapons Convention, also spoke at the inauguration.
Source: Bd news24
Mr. Ali, the Bangladesh Foreign Minister must know that by now people of Bangladesh as well as the international community have had enought of AL’s bluff on terrorisim. They are aware that in order to garner support to its hold on power that it has helped itself to, through a sham election, the AL government has few but “terrorist” card to play. Mr. Ali’s ask that there should be more stringent laws to curb terrorism is a clear indication that his government may already be contemplating to adopt more legally koshered tools to justify further ruthless suppression of all opposition.
I agree with ADK. The politicians always think that the populace at large is ignorant and are fools. The present govt – because of of unflinching support of our big neighbour – is under the illusion that international community is buying all the stories that are being cooked up. They will continue to cry wolf and one day be caught with the pants down!
ADK has said it all. Just want to add that it was the last BNP led government which brought all the known terrorists like Shayekh Abrur Rahman, Bangla Bhai and many others and brought them to justice. AL is just trying to play the terrorist card as a desperate attempt to hang on to power which they grabbed against people’s will. Now USA gave this government a direct blow: http://mzamin.com/details.php?mzamin=%20MjAyOTE=&s=Mg==
If Awami League has minimum patriotism, they must immediately start dialogues with BNP and other political parties to agree on the format of an election-time government in order to hold a credible election within the next three to five months. Awami League should not worry too much because, they have dome so many good things for this country as they claim. Let people freely decide whom they want to run this great country. BNP is not asking to bring them into power. If people reject them, in a fair election, they will be happy to be the opposition party in the parliament.
I fail to understand why Awami League (AL) government is participating in such a seminar while they themselves are often accused of many terrorist acts during the tenure of their term in office. I hope, if enacted, the anti-terrorism law will help solve cases like BDR carnage, Sagar-Runi murder case, Illias Ali abduction, and many other cases which are shrouded in mystery. Since clinching to power beyond their legal term and forcing their will on the people is also act of terrorism, the AL government should hand over power to the President and leave; and the President should discuss with all political parties and hold the election as soon as practicable.