Bangladesh
Noor Chowdhury Law Minister suggests alternative way to extradite fugitive Noor Chowdhury from Canada
Dhaka, November 1: Bangladesh has requested Canada to find an alternative way to send back Noor Chowdhury, the absconding accused in Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman murder case. Minister of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Anisul Huq made this request in a courtesy meeting with Canadian High Commissioner Lilly Nicholls at the Secretariat on Tuesday (November 1).
After the meeting, the law minister told reporters, "There was a discussion about the return of Noor Choudhury, the accused in the Bangabandhu murder case. The High Commissioner told me that it is not possible to return the accused who was sentenced to death under Canadian law. I requested them to find an alternative method. I told her, a providing asylum to a murderer is a violation of human rights."
Anisul Huq said, "Lilly Nicholls was appointed as Canada's High Commissioner to Bangladesh about a year ago. Today was our first meeting. Of course, we had important discussions."
He said, "Bangladesh has a very friendly relationship with Canada. We both want this friendly relationship to be stronger and deeper."
The Law Minister said, "We have discussed the Digital Security Act. We have talked about the elections. I have clearly said that the Bangladesh government has made a law regarding the appointment of the Chief Election Commissioner and the Election Commissioners. The responsibility of the Election Commission is to conduct fair elections. The government needs support there. All will cooperate. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's government is determined to conduct free and fair elections in the country."
He said, "Noor Chowdhury, the murderer of Bangabandhu and his family and accused in the Bangabandhu murder case, has fled to Canada. We have discussed bringing him back to the country."
Anisul Huq also said, "There is a law in Canada, they don't extradite any convicts who have been sentenced to death. She told me that very clearly. I still requested the High Commissioner that if we examine the law and the rules, I think Canada should send him back to us. I will also find a way to bring him back. I have also made it very clear that keeping Noor Chowdhury in Canada is a violation of human rights."
