DHAKA, Aug 18, 2018 (BSS) – Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today paid rich tributes to former United Nations Secretary General and Nobel Peace Prize laureate Kofi Annan, saying that he will always be remembered for his support to the forcibly displaced Myanmar nationals.
“Kofi Annan will always be remembered for his support to the forcibly displaced Myanmar nationals and the population whom he addressed in the report of the Advisory Commission,” she said in a condolence message. The prime minister expressed her deepest sorrow for the loss of a leader, who never shied away from taking any difficult challenge.
“He took up the arduous task of the Advisory Commission on Rakhine State with utmost sincerity,” she said.
Sheikh Hasina said Kofi Annan’s work as the Chair of the Commission has brought the plight of the Rohingyas into light and offered sustainable pragmatic solutions.
The premier said Kofi Annan dedicated his life to global peace and ensuring human rights across the world.
“Kofi Annan dedicated his life for global peace, development and for ensuring human rights across the world … his departure will create a vacuum among The Elders to stand for the oppressed, the victims of climate change and for global peace,” she said.
Sheikh Hasina said the people of Bangladesh “will remember him always for standing by us in our efforts to promote democracy and economic development.”
“He (Annan) also rendered his support always to our contribution in the promotion of global peace through our participation in the United Nations Peacekeeping Operations,” she said.
“We convey our sincere condolences to his bereaved family members and colleagues,” she added.
Kofi Annan died in Geneva, Switzerland at the age of 80 on Saturday after a short illness, his foundation announced.
“It is with immense sadness that the Annan family and the Kofi Annan Foundation announce that Kofi Annan, former Secretary General of the United Nations and Nobel Peace Laureate, passed away peacefully on Saturday 18th August after a short illness,” the foundation said in a statement.