Govt Vows Action Over Dr Yunus’s Harassment in New York
The government will take action over the harassment of Dr Muhammad Yunus at New York’s John F Kennedy (JFK) International Airport, Prime Minister’s Adviser on Information and Broadcasting Dr Zahed Ur Rahman has said.
Speaking at the weekly press briefing at the Secretariat on Tuesday, Dr Zahed ruled out any possibility of reconciliation with the banned Awami League, saying it had neither apologised for genocide and crimes against humanity nor stopped its alleged acts of terrorism and attempts to incite unrest in Bangladesh.
Responding to a question about the incident at JFK airport, he said the party that fled after committing genocide had shown no remorse. Instead, he alleged, its members continued to harass Dr Yunus and other government officials and actress Azmeri Haque Badhon abroad while attempting to incite violence in Bangladesh.
Asked whether there had been any lapse in security arrangements for Dr Yunus at the airport, Dr Zahed said the government would investigate whether the Bangladesh mission in New York had failed to ensure his security.
He said legal proceedings had already been initiated against those who harassed actress Badhon, adding that similar action would be taken in Dr Yunus’s case.
Warning Awami League members living abroad against repeating such acts, he said any further attempts would not go unchallenged.
Asked whether reconciliation would be possible if some Awami League members apologised, Dr Zahed dismissed the question as hypothetical. He said the government had records of the party’s alleged misdeeds, acts of violence and attempts to incite unrest through audio messages over the past two years.
“There is no question of dialogue or reconciliation with them under these circumstances,” he said.
On bringing Sheikh Hasina back from India, Dr Zahed said the government was pursuing the legal process to formally bring her back to ensure justice, as promised.
However, he said the government would have no objection if she returned voluntarily. She would then face the court’s verdict and justice for the crimes against humanity she had committed, he added.
The adviser also outlined progress in reforming and modernising the Bangladesh Press Council Act to protect press freedom and prevent journalistic malpractice.
Joint Secretary of the ministry Dr Md Alam Mostafa and Senior Deputy Principal Information Officer Mosha Mobasshera Kaderi were present at the briefing.
