Paying
homage to the victims of the Holey Artisan Bakery tragedy that claimed lives of
over 20 persons of different nationalities back on July 1, 2016, Italian
Ambassador to Bangladesh Antonio
Alessandro has recalled the role of the youth in building a better society,
both in Bangladesh and across the world.
Antonio
Alessandro was speaking at a reception marking the 10th anniversary of the
Holey
Artisan Bakery tragedy at his Gulshan tragedy on Wednesday.
He said
“The victims were coming from different background. Most of them were young,
bright and with great dreams for their future. Paying homage to them means to
recall the role of youth in building a better society, both in Bangladesh and
across the world”
He also
said “Honoring their memory is also a way to pay homage to the community of
expatriates in Bangladesh who contribute with their skills and entrepreneurial
spirit to make the local textile and garment industry so solid and renown
globally”
He also
said “The Japanese victims were all affiliated with JICA, the official
development agency of Japan. Honoring their memory in this case means also
paying homage to the many professionals and humanitarian workers who form the
international development community in Bangladesh. Every time we travel on the
metro line in Dhaka – the victims were all working for that project - we
acknowledge their contribution.”
“My
heartfelt thought also goes to the police officers who responded bravely during
the attack; they remind us how crucial a sense of duty can be when the
protection of others and the security of our nation are at stake,” he said
Italian
Ambassador to Bangladesh Antonio
Alessandro in his also speech said “
I thank you
all for joining our commemoration today, 10 years after that brutal terrorist
attack on a Saturday afternoon that took 24 innocent lives.
This is a
very important event for the Embassy of Italy. We aim to make it as inclusive
as possible: all victims are remembered from every nationality, religion and
background. All those who wish to pay homage to the victims are welcome.”
He also
said “This is a very participated event for the Italian community in Dhaka,
which has been deeply affected by the attack. The Italian victims were all from
the expatriate business community.”
He also
said “My heartfelt thought also goes to the police officers who responded
bravely during the attack; they remind us how crucial a sense of duty can be
when the protection of others and the security of our nation are at stake.”
He also
concluded “And lastly, why do some people kill innocent individuals simply
because they represent a foreign culture and a different religion? It is a
question that continues to deserve reflection and leads me to my concluding
message: let us not forget-never again! May friendship, respect, and
inclusivity always prevail.”
Meanwhile,
State Minister for foreign affairs Shama Obaed Islam renewed Bangladesh’s unwavering commitment to
combating terrorism and violent extremism as the government and foreign
diplomats commemorated the 10th anniversary of the Holey Artisan Bakery attack,
vowing to uphold peace, tolerance and humanity.
Honouring
the memory of the victims of the July 1, 2016 terrorist attack, Shama said
terrorism can never be justified on political, religious, ideological or any
other grounds.
"Our
government remains steadfast in its determination to confront terrorism and
violent extremism at all spheres," she said, adding that such forces have
no place in Bangladesh and will never be allowed to undermine the country's
peace and stability.
The state
minister reaffirmed Bangladesh's unwavering commitment to combating terrorism
and violent extremism with zero tolerance in all its forms and manifestations.
The
government of Bangladesh, together with diplomats from India, Japan, Italy and
the United States, paid tribute to the victims of the Holey Artisan Bakery
attack in Gulshan, where 24 people, including nine Italian nationals, were
killed.
They
recalled the government's sustained efforts to combat terrorism and highlighted
Bangladesh's achievements in countering violent extremism over the past decade.
On July 1,
2016, terrorists stormed the Holey Artisan Bakery in Dhaka's Gulshan diplomatic
enclave, killing 24 people, including 20 hostages and two police officers,
during a 12-hour siege that remains one of the deadliest terrorist attacks in
the country's history. Six attackers were also killed.
