Jamaat hand in targeted murders: FM tells EU

The foreign minister has told European diplomats that the Jamaat-e-Islami and its associate groups were involved in the recent targeted murders to “tarnish” the image of Bangladesh and to “discredit” the government.

Abul Hassan Mahmood Ali was briefing the heads of the European missions in Dhaka on Sunday at Padma, the state guest house. EU Head of Delegation Pierre Mayaudon led the delegation, the foreign ministry said.

Ali briefed them on the actions the government had taken, the progress made in maintaining law and order and in ensuring public safety in the aftermath of these killings in Bangladesh.

Secular bloggers, online activist, teachers, human rights activists, members of religious minorities, law-enforcing officers and foreigners were killed in these targeted attacks.

Ali condemned the “senseless, pre-meditated and clandestine” killings, saying they were carried out by “some vested groups” to destabilize the country.

He informed the envoys that from the initial investigations, “it appeared that Jamaat-e-Islami and its outfits such as Jamaat-ul-Mujahideen (JMB), Ansar al-Islam, Ansarullah Bangla Team, Harkatul-Jihad-al-Islam (Huji-B), Hijbut-Tahrir Bangladesh, and the newly-formed Al Mujahid were involved in these killings”.

Abul Hassan Mahmood Ali (File Photo)

He said the BNP was “unfortunately” supporting them and that the party did not pay heed to the European Parliament’s Jan 2014 resolution asking BNP to sever ties with Jamaat.

The EU Delegation in Dhaka, in a separate statement, said that they urged the government to break the cycle of recent attacks, and warned that these could “undermine” Bangladesh’s international reputation as “an open and tolerant society”.

They also urged the government to bring the perpetrators to justice and ensure the protection of all citizens at risk.

The foreign ministry said the minister gave “a detailed account” of the progress made in individual cases and assured the envoys of the government’s resolve to bring all the perpetrators to justice.

He stressed that progress had been made in cracking down on radicals’ hideouts and weapons caches, and said the agencies were alert to detecting any possible linkage among these groups with various regional and international terrorist groups or networks.

He also reiterated the government’s ‘zero tolerance’ approach to all forms of terrorism and violent extremism and firm commitment to contain the violence and ensure protection and safety for all people in Bangladesh.

Ali updated the EU envoys on various steps taken by the government to heighten surveillance and enhance security and law enforcement measures throughout the country.

He also stated that the overall law and order and security situation in Bangladesh had remained “stable and peaceful”.

Referring to Pakistan’s statement on Bangladesh’s war crimes trial and the 1974 agreement, the foreign minister said the agreement only referred to 195 prisoners of war who were taken into custody for heinous crimes including crime against humanity.

He hoped that EU would work together with Bangladesh in fighting common challenges of terrorism and violent extremism.

State Minister for Foreign Affairs Md Shahriar Alam was also present at the briefing.