Fight Against Terror: Hasina, Trudeau for joint action

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her Canadian counterpart Justin Trudeau have underscored the need for initiating a global movement to stamp out terrorism.

They expressed the view while talking over the phone yesterday morning.

“The Canadian premier phoned Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina this [yesterday] morning and strongly denounced the terrorist attacks on two Christchurch mosques in New Zealand,” PM's Press Secretary Ihsanul Karim told BSS.

During the nearly 20-minute conversation, Trudeau expressed concern over the safety of Bangladesh national cricket team that narrowly escaped the Friday's brutal attack.

He expressed relief that the cricketers were safe, the press secretary said.

The Canadian PM offered deep condolences over the loss of 50 lives, including those of five Bangladeshis, in the attack.

Hasina told Trudeau that there was a need for initiating a global movement against terrorism.

Supporting her view, the Canadian PM said the world community should act together to uproot terrorism.

Reiterating her government's “zero tolerance” policy against terrorism, Hasina said Bangladesh denounces terrorism in all its forms and manifestations.

“Bangladesh is a land of peace and communal harmony. We've asked the law enforcement agencies to keep a strong vigil and protect all the places of worship, including mosques, temples, churches and pagodas,” she said.

The PM said Islam does not allow terrorism in any forms and the terrorists have no religion.

She told Trudeau that the Bangladesh government took concerted efforts for ensuring people's safety and security and rooting out terrorism from the society.

Hasina renewed her call to extradite Bangabandhu's self-confessed killer Noor Chowdhury to Bangladesh.

“Noor Chowdhury is presently fleeing justice and now staying in Canada. It would be a great service to the rule of law if Canada hands over the killer to Bangladesh so he faces justice,” she said.

The Canadian PM said it was a legal matter and they would look into it.

Hasina expressed firm optimism that Bangladesh and Canada would remain engaged in a mutually cooperative, supportive and respectful partnership in the journey towards further development and progress.

She invited Trudeau to visit Bangladesh and wished his success in the coming Canadian polls.

Trudeau greeted Hasina on her party's landslide victory in the December 30 general elections, said the PM's press secretary.