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Canada Condemns Deadly Violence in Bangladesh
March 8, 2013 - Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird today issued the following statement:
"Canada is deeply concerned by the escalating and deadly violence that has injured thousands and claimed the lives of scores of Bangladeshis. We urge all parties to end the violence, to work toward peacefully resolving the conflict and to reverse the growing divisions in Bangladeshi society.
"We also call on authorities to protect the rights and the lives of all Bangladeshis.
"We condemn in the strongest terms senseless attacks on civilians, most notably those on minorities in their homes and places of worship. Canada has welcomed Bangladesh's commitment to pluralism and religious freedom, and we encourage further efforts by the government and all parties to promote peace and tolerance throughout the country.
"In the lead-up to parliamentary elections, we call on all parties to respect the rights to freedom of expression and of assembly and urge everyone to exercise these rights in a peaceful and democratic manner."
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2013-03-13
Statement by Wayne Marston, New Democrat Human Rights Critic, on the escalation of violence in Bangladesh
New Democrats are deeply concerned about the escalation of conflict in Bangladesh. Several bombs exploded in the capital city of Dhaka yesterday morning, and news reports confirm the presence of thousands of security officials being deployed in the city to maintain order.
"We are concerned about the potential for human rights abuses," said NDP Human Rights Critic Wayne Marston. "We call on all sides to halt the violence and work towards a peaceful settlement of the conflict."
The attacks come in the context of large scale, violent protests that have been raging across Bangladesh for weeks over the country's ongoing war crimes tribunal, the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT). Tens of thousands of people have taken to the streets in both protests and counter protests.
New Democrats call for authorities to provide religious minorities with better protection, and urge authorities to equally and completely respect the human rights of all Bangladeshis.
"We stand in solidarity with the democratic aspirations of the Bangladeshi people, and recognize their desire for a legitimate justice process," said NDP Foreign Affairs Critic, Paul Dewar.
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