Dhaka, March 18 – Bangladesh government has issued travel alerts for its citizens who are living in New Zealand or preparing to visit the country after the gruesome attacks on two mosques in Christchurch.
Foreign minister AK Abdul Momen yesterday said, “We have issued travel alerts for our citizens who are staying in New Zealand and who are planning to visit there after the attacks on Muslims in two mosques.
The alert has been issued on March 15 on the day of the attacks.”
Besides, brushing aside the recent report of Human Rights Watch about the negative portrayal of Bangladesh, he said, “The report has been made not based on facts. We have also sent a letter of protest against the report to the Human Rights Watch.”
The minister came up with the statements at a press conference held at the ministry of foreign affairs. State minister for foreign affairs Shahriar Alam and foreign secretary Shahidul Haque, among others, were also present on the occasion.
He also said that foreign ministry is thinking to bring a resolution at the United States “Such attacks in New Zealand, a peaceful country, are really regrettable for all. We have condemned the incident and requested the New Zealand government to be aware. We think the lethal weapons that have been used in the incident should be properly examined before handing to the private persons,” he added.
“I think such weapons should not be given to general hands except the military operations. We will take an initiative in this regard. Such incidents occur in many countries in the world. We witnessed incidents of killing by automated guns in schools and malls. We should take a lead how to control the automated guns,” he added.
“We will try to bring a resolution through United Nations to bring control of selling automated guns to the general people,” he added.
About the total number of killing in the New Zealand attack, the minister said, “Five Bangladeshi nationals have been killed. One is missing in the name of Shaon. Besides, one woman Lipi from Kishoreganj is critically injured.”
He also said that two other Bangladeshi nationals –Mutassim of Gazipur and Sheikh Hasan Rubel – who were injured are out of danger.
The deceased persons are former professor of Bangladesh Agriculture University Dr Abdus Samad, Hosna Ara Ahmed of Sylhet, Mozammel Haque of Chandpur, Zakaria Bhuiyan of Palash upazila of Narsingdi and Mohammad Omar Faruk of Narayanganj.
The minister said they have entrusted a focal point with the duties to provide necessary information about the overall matter of the Bangladeshi nationals who have been killed and injured in the attacks.
The focal point person is Walid bin Kashem, assistant secretary to the foreign ministry. His mobile number is +8801713111227 and email is aswelfare@mofa.gov.bd.
He also said family members of Abdus Samad has decided to bury the body in New Zealand. “We still did not get full information about the burial of other persons.”
He also said New Zealand government has taken a decision that one close relative of the deceased will be able to visit New Zealand for receiving body.
About the Human Rights Watch of US Department of States on March 13, foreign minister said, “I have a lot of doubts whether they carried out their own investigation before making such report. The violation
of human rights what the report has published is mainly violated in America.”
Asked about his stance about the report, he said, “I reject the report. We have also sent a protest letter against it.” – Staff Reporter
