DHAKA, Jan 29, 2024 (BSS) - Foreign Minister Dr Hasan Mahmud today urged Canadian government to handover Bangabandhu's convicted killer Noor Chowdhury while Canadian high commissioner in Dhaka Lilly Nicholls called on him. 

 "We discussed repartition of Bangabndhu's killer Noor Chowdhury who is now residing in Canada," he told reporters after holding the meeting at the foreign ministry here. 

The foreign minister said he suggested the ambassador to consult with the law ministry on what way the Canadian authority can deport the fugitive convicted killer of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. 

In reply, the Canadian envoy assured the foreign minister that she would convey Bangladesh's demand to her government to deport Noor Chowdhury. 

The government so far traced out Bangabandhu's two convicted fugitive killers - Noor Chowdhury and Rashed Chowdhury - residing in Canada and the USA respectively, while the whereabouts of other three fugitives -Khandaker Abdur Rashid, Shariful Haque Dalim and Moslehuddin Khan - are yet to be ascertained.

After tracing the locations of the two killers, the foreign ministry and the law ministry have been deeply engaged with the Canadian and the US authorities to bring back the two absconding murderers.

During the meeting, Mahmud said, they also discussed on various bilateral issues while the Canadian envoy expressed her country's interest to engage more in multiple sectors with the new Bangladesh government. 
 
The foreign minister said he discussed on initiating a preferential mechanism for the Bangladeshi nationals those are intended to become Canadian immigrants. 

Mahmud said they also discussed the Rohingya crisis in details. "I told her (Canadian envoy) that the only solution of Rohingya crisis is to repatriate the displaced people to Myanmar with all the civil rights," he added. 

Replying to a query, the foreign minister said that the Canadian high commissioner did not talk about anything regarding the last election although they discussed on issues related to advancement of democracy and human rights.

"We want to make democracy healthier ... we discussed on that ... human rights is a worldwide issue ... this is an issue in America, this is an issue in Europe ... so we have been engaged with this issue and we value the opinion of our friendly countries," said the minister. 

Earlier after emerging from the meeting, the Canadian high commissioner said they discussed about the special relationship between the two countries and ways to further strengthen the long-standing relations.

"We have a long-standing and a multifaceted relationship, which has many dimensions ... and we also of course, spoke about the evolving Development Partnership and how each of these offers many opportunities for joint collaboration between our two countries," she said. 

The envoy said that, as good friends, they also spoke very openly about the importance of freedom of expression, the tremendous value of civil society, a vibrant civil society.

"And it was my opportunity also to reiterate Canada's continued support for the Rohingya response," she said.

Earlier, Denmark ambassador to Bangladesh Christian Brix Moller called on the foreign minister at his office.  

During the meeting, they discussed various matters related to bilateral issues including expansion of business between Bangladesh and Denmark.

In a separate meeting, new Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) Representative in Bangladesh Dr Jiaoqun Shi also submitted his credential to the Foreign minister Dr Hasan Mahmud at the Ministry office.