Information minister critical of diplomats’ statements over Abrar murder

Information minister Hasan Mahmud on Thursday said statements from the foreign diplomats stationed in Dhaka on Abrar Fahad murder are uncalled for, reports news agency UNB.

Minister said this while addressing a programme, organised by Chattogram Divisional Journalists’ Forum, at the National Press Club.

“Do they express their concern when students get shot to death at schools in the United States?” the minister asked.

“The issue of the murder of BUET student Abrar is our internal matter. Any comment from diplomats is uncalled for,” he said, adding: “I’m concerned over hundreds of students being killed every year in the US.”

Meanwhile, US Ambassador in Dhaka Earl R Miller said they join all voices asking for a full investigation and offer heartfelt condolences to the family of murdered BUET student Abrar Fahad.

“I am shocked and saddened by the killing of BUET student Abrar Fahad. Freedom of expression is a fundamental right in any democracy,” said the US ambassador in a message shared on official Facebook page of the US Embassy in Dhaka on Thursday night.

On Wednesday, the Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany in Dhaka also expressed its heartfelt sympathy to the family and friends of Abrar and called on everyone to advocate freedom of expression, emphasising the importance of this keystone of democracy.

The United Nations also deplored the killing of Abrar Farhad, saying freedom of speech is a human right.

“Freedom of speech is a human right, and nobody should be harassed, tortured or killed for exercising it,” said the Office of the UN Resident Coordinator in Bangladesh in a statement on Wednesday.

The UN Bangladesh noted steps taken by the authorities to apprehend alleged perpetrators, the statement reads.

The British High Commission in Dhaka, in a Facebook post on its verified page, said they are shocked and saddened at the events at BUET.

“Shocked and saddened by events at BUET. The UK stands unconditionally for free speech, media freedom, human rights and the rule of law,” the message reads.

Abrar, a second-year student of BUET’S EEE department, was beaten to death, allegedly by leaders of Bangladesh Chhatra League, at the university’s Sher-e-Bangla Hall around 3:00am on 7 October.