Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Friday issued strong words of warning against those who would torture children.
“I want to make my stand clear that our government intends to offer children a better life free from torture, barbaric behavior, drugs, militancy and terrorism,” she said.
Sheikh Hasina, also President of ruling Awami League, came up with this statement at an event marking the 55th birth anniversary of Sheikh Russel, the youngest son of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.
Sheikh Russel Jatiyo Shishu-Kishore Parishad organised the function at Bangabandhu International Conference Centre.
Referring to the recent barbaric murder of a child at Jaintiapur in Sylhet, she said it is unimaginable how people can torture children like that!
“Those who will torture and humiliate children they will not be spared. They will be brought to justice,” the prime minister said.
Born in 1964, Sheikh Russell was killed along with his father and most of his family members by a group of soldiers in 1975.
“Such barbaric incidents happen again and again in our country. I’m calling upon all of you to stop torturing children. If anyone found guilty of torturing children, he or she will be dealt with iron hand,” Sheikh Hasina cautioned.
“The assassination of child Russel is a heinous crime in the history of human civilisation,” the prime minister said.
In school life, she said, like Bangabandhu, Russel also used to give away his toys and personal belongings to entertain and help his poor friends and fellow schoolmates as he deeply felt their sufferings.
“We (Sheikh Hasina and her younger sister Sheikh Rehana) had to stay abroad for six months after the assassination of Father of the Nation along with most of his family members on the dreadful night of August 15 in 1975,” she said.
Sheikh Hasina, also the eldest daughter of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, said Bangabandhu used to love children most.
“Bangabandhu always held the expectation that every child would be a worthy citizen of the country,” the prime minister said.
She said the government is working hard to build Bangladesh as a developed and prosperous country so that today’s children can enjoy a worthy future in the days to come.
“Now the dreams of Bangabandhu are becoming true as the county is progressing under the leadership of the Awami League government,” she said.
Spelling out Bangabandhu’s initiatives in this regard, she said Bangabandhu enacted the children’s law in 1974 to protect the rights of children.
“My government is firmly committed to ensuring a ‘bright future’ for the children by building Bangladesh as a developed and prosperous one free from hunger, poverty and illiteracy,” she added.
Highlighting the contribution of the Father of the Nation, the premier said that Bangabandhu only had three and a half years and by this time he rebuilt the war ravaged country and shaped Bangladesh as an independent nation.
She mentioned Bangladesh would successfully celebrate the birth centenary of the Father of the Nation in 2020 and golden jubilee of Independence in 2021.
The government has already declared 2020-2021 as ‘Mujib Barsha’, she said. “Inshallah, we would be able to build Bangladesh as a hunger and poverty free country,” she said.
“Bangladesh will go ahead with the ideals of the Father of the Nation who dreamt of a hunger and poverty free country as children of present time would turn the dream of Bangabandhu into reality,” the prime minister said.
She urged the children to grow as honest, dedicated and sincere citizens of the country. “I’m calling upon you (children) not to be selfish. You will also have to take care of other poor and physically challenged children,” Sheikh Hasina said.
