Dhaka has ‘zero tolerance’ policy on terrorism
WHEN Bangladesh finally became independent on Dec. 16 1971, after declaration of independence on March 26, 1971 by the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman which led to a bloody War of Liberation of nine months, many doubted whether Bangladesh would be able to stand up on her own feet.
Now Bangladesh is a miracle to many development practitioners around the world.
The first task of the government of the day in early 1972 was to get recognition from the international community. Bangabandhu made a clarion call in London on Jan. 8, 1972: “I now appeal to all states to extend recognition to the People’s Republic of Bangladesh, to enter into diplomatic relations with us and to support our immediate admission to the UN.”
Bangladesh gained enormous support from the international community and is now a nation with pride and many successes under the dynamic leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, daughter of the Father of the Nation.
She stated at the UN High-Level Panel on Rule of Law in New York in September 2012 that “Bangladesh believes in peace and justice within the state, and in stateto-state relations. Bangladesh also believes in sovereignty, territorial integ- rity and non-interference in the internal affairs of other nations. These emanate from the philosophy of ‘friendship toward all, malice toward none’ of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, Father of the Nation, who declared it as the foundation of our foreign policy along with the importance and necessity of the rule of law and justice for all in 1974 at the UN General Assembly.”
Bangladesh is now a role model for the developing world in poverty reduc- tion, achieving success in health and education, women’s empowerment, fighting climate change, and is a major UN troops contributor for peacekeeping operations around the world.
Bangladesh is maintaining a “zero tolerance” policy toward the menace of terrorism and violent extremism in all its forms and manifestations.
Bangladesh was the second fastestgrowing economy in the world in 2016 with more than 7 percent growth.
Bangladesh is now well regarded by the international community with excellent relations with important countries of the world including Saudi Arabia.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina had a very successful visit to Saudi Arabia in June 2016 and held fruitful talks with King Salman.
During a recent visit to Bangladesh, the World Bank Group president stated: “Bangladesh has shown the world that a long list of hardships can be overcome. In fact, its people have shown that innovation, commitment, setting goals, and visionary leadership can accomplish feats that few dared imagine. I believe that Bangladesh can continue to build on this record and can end extreme poverty by 2030 and boost shared prosperity.”
The prime minister was awarded the UN Champions of the Earth award in recognition of her outstanding initiatives to address climate change.
“Serving as the prime minister of Bangladesh — one of the world’s leastdeveloped countries — Sheikh Hasina has proven that investing in climate change is conducive to achieving social and economic development,” said the award announcement issued by the UN Environment Programme (UNEP), which conferred the awards in 2015.