PM calls for creating a society based on equality

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has urged everyone, including people around the world, to work towards creating a society that is built on the principles of equality, free from all forms of discrimination and sectarianism.

"We follow Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman's peace policy in running the country," she said in a message on the eve of the Genocide Day 2023.

The nation is set to observe the Genocide Day on Saturday in remembrance of the brutality carried out by Pakistani Army on the unarmed Bengalis on the black night of 25 March 1971 under the infamous "Operation Searchlight".

The Ministry of Liberation War Affairs has taken various programmes to observe the Genocide Day at state level with due respect.

The Prime Minister said in her message, "We do not want war and conflict; killing men, women, and children dipped us in demise. We believe in peace. If sustainable peace prevails, the overall development of the country accelerates."

She said Awami League formed the government after being elected by popular mandate in 1996 after a long 21-year struggle, adding, "On 5 October 1998, we accessed the United Nations Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide. In 1997, we proposed a resolution on the Culture of Peace at the UN General Assembly, which was adopted in 1999."

"Accordingly, the United Nations declared 2000 as the 'International Year for the Culture of Peace' and 2001-2010 as the 'International Decade for a Culture of Peace and Non-Violence.' We have been working tirelessly for more than fourteen years since 2008 to transform the fate of the people with their unwavering support in all elections," she added.

Sheikh Hasina further said, "We ensured the people's right to vote through the Fifteenth Amendment to the Constitution, which also barred the illegal seizure of power. We have recognized March 25 as 'Genocide Day. We have sheltered more than 1.1 million displaced Rohingya people who escaped with their lives from genocide in neighboring Myanmar."

The premier said, "We are working on the principle of 'Zero Tolerance' to eradicate militancy and terrorism. We have already made Bangladesh a developing country. In 2041, the country will be 'Smart Bangladesh.' We are formulating and implementing the 'Bangladesh Delta Plan-2100'. Future generations will be able to implement this plan with the amendment of their needs."

"On this day in 1971, the invading forces of Pakistan carried out the most barbaric crackdown in Bangladesh. I remember with a heavy heart all martyrs who sacrificed their lives on the night of 25 March 1971, whose fresh blood inspired the brave Bengalis to be spirited to take up arms and fight for independence," the Prime Minister added.
 
As part of the officials programmes, one-minute symbolic 'blackout' will be observed from 10.30pm to 10.31pm on 25 March throughout the country.

The Liberation War ministry will also organise cultural programmes, including 'Geeti Natya' (musical drama) based on genocide and Liberation War across the country.