State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaid Islam has
said that terrorism can never be justified. Bangladesh will not allow anyone to
destroy peace and stability.
The State Minister said this in a speech at a memorial
service at the residence of Italian Ambassador to Bangladesh Antonio Alessandro
on the occasion of the 10th anniversary of the attack on the Holly
Artisan Bakery on Wednesday (July 1).
The State Minister said that the government is firmly
against all forms of terrorism and violent extremism. Such forces have no place
in Bangladesh. They will not be given a chance to destroy the peace and
stability of the country.
Shama Obaid said, “We pay tribute not only to their (the
deceased) memories, but also to the courage, tolerance and unity of their
families. As a mother and guardian, my heart goes out to the families who have
lost their children and family members. May their memories guide us against
hatred and conflict.” May we always uphold the values of humanity, compassion
and tolerance.
Mentioning the government’s commitment to eradicating
terrorism, the State Minister for Foreign Affairs said that accountability has
been ensured by bringing the criminals to justice through due legal process.
The Bangladesh government and diplomats from India, Japan,
Italy and the United States commemorated the victims of the attack on the Holy
Artisan Bakery at the event.
Paying tribute to the victims of the attack, they recalled
the efforts and achievements of the Bangladesh government in combating
terrorism.
Shama Obaid Islam, Dean of the Diplomatic Corps and
Palestinian Ambassador to Bangladesh Yousef SY Ramadan, Italian Ambassador
Antonio Alessandro, Japanese Ambassador Shinichi Saida, Indian High
Commissioner Dinesh Trivedi, Acting Chief of Mission of the United States
Embassy Albert Shea and representatives of the Bangladesh Police paid tribute
to the victims by laying wreaths.
A minute’s silence was observed in memory of the victims
of the attack.
On July 1, 2016, a brutal terrorist attack took place at the Holly Artisan Bakery in the Gulshan diplomatic area of Dhaka, Bangladesh, which claimed the lives of 24 people (20 hostages and 2 police officers, and 6 attackers). The 12-hour siege was one of the most horrific and brutal incidents in the country’s history.
