DHAKA, Dec 14, 2019 (BSS) – Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has
congratulated British Prime Minister Boris Johnson on the impressive victory
of his Conservative Party in the UK national elections and sought his
personal intervention to ensure justice for the forcibly displaced Rohingyas
from Myanmar.
“The victory is a reaffirmation of the tremendous trust and confidence
the people of the United Kingdom (UK) reposed on the party’s leadership and
the renewed mandate will take Dhaka-London relationship to newer heights,”
she said in a congratulatory message to the British premier.
Sheikh Hasina said Bangladesh will look forward to personal intervention
of the British prime minister to ensure justice for the Rohingyas.
“With the support of the international community and UK’s global
leadership, it will be possible to ensure Myanmar’s accountability for the
atrocities committed against the Rohingyas, and that the Rohingyas will be
able to go back to their homeland with rights, dignity, safety, and in a
sustainable manner,” she said.
In this connection, the prime minister recalled Johnson’s visit to
Bangladesh and the Rohingya camps in February 2018.
Sheikh Hasina said the two countries are enjoying special relations
founded on the strong and common values of democracy and tolerance, and the
common positions on issues such as the challenges of climate change,
countering terrorism and extremism and the shared aspirations for greater
prosperity.
She reiterated that UK has been closely linked with Bangladesh’s history
and recalled the support by the government and people of the UK during
Bangladesh’s War of Independence under the leadership of Father of the Nation
Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman in 1971.
“The steadfast commitment of UK in ensuring freedom of Bangabandhu from
prison in Pakistan without harm was key component in forging the friendly
ties between the two countries,” she said.
Sheikh Hasina expressed gratitude to the friendship and warmth with
which the then Conservative Prime Minister Sir Edward Heath received Father
of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman in London on January 8 in
1972 on his arrival from Pakistani prison.
The premier expressed satisfaction over the multifaceted relationship
between Bangladesh and the UK based on cooperation and collaboration in the
areas of trade, investment, achieving sustainable development goals.
She believes that with the renewed mandate of statesmanship of Boris
Johnson, Dhaka-London relationship can be taken to newer heights for the
mutual benefits of our peoples, including the vibrant Bangladesh-British
diaspora in the UK.
“I look forward to continuing to work with the British government for
further strengthening partnerships in the areas of common interests and for
the interest of the humanity,” she said.
Sheikh Hasina cordially invited Boris Johnson to the birth centenary
celebrations of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman in
2020 in Bangladesh.
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson triumphed a resounding election
victory on Thursday as his Conservative Party secured 356 seats in the 650-
seat House of Commons — the biggest majority since the 1980s heyday of
Margaret Thatcher.