PM Hasina vows to bring back Tarique

Prime minister Sheikh Hasina on Tuesday vowed to bring back convicted fugitive Tarique Rahman to be exposed to justice as he has been staying in London to evade trial in several cases.

"He (Tarique) will have to face the court," she said replying to a query at a discussion titled 'Bangladesh's Development Story: Policies, Progresses and Prospects' at Overseas Development Institute (ODI) in London on Tuesday afternoon, reports BSS. The premier added that her government was in talks with the British authorities for extradition of Tarique, acting chairman of BNP.

Sheikh Hasina also criticised the UK for giving shelter to a fugitive convict like Tarique Rahman.

She said the United Kingdom is a free country and it is true that anybody can take shelter and refuge in the country. "But, Tarique Rahman has been convicted by the court for committing crimes and I don't understand how the UK has given shelter to a convicted person," she said.

Talking about the Rohingya issue, Sheikh Hasina said Bangladesh has signed an agreement with Myanmar for the repatriation of Rohingyas.

"Unfortunately, Myanmar is not taking any initiative for their repatriation and that is the problem," she said.

The premier said: "As Myanmar is our nextdoor neighbour, the government has been showing friendly gesture to it."

"Ministers of both countries visited Bangladesh and Myanmar and our foreign ministers discussed the issue with all the neighbouring countries of Myanmar to find out a solution to the crisis," she said.

The prime minister said although Myanmar showed eagerness to take them back, practically they did nothing. "That's why we want the international community to put more pressure on Myanmar in this regard."

She said the government made arrangements and is also developing a place where they can live in a better way as monsoon is approaching and accidents may take place.

"We are giving all kinds of support, including food...everything we are providing. We have started building some houses and cyclone shelters in that place so that they can go there," Sheikh Hasina said.

"If they wish they could do some livelihood works," she added.

The prime minister said there are many refugees staying on the border, but Myanmar took only half members of a family.

"May be they want to show the world they are taking them back...it's a good sign. But, why only half of one family?" she said.