Canadian Delegation Visit Bangladesh to observe situation of Minorities
EURO MEDIA LTD. /
Canadian Delegation Visit Bangladesh to observe situation of Minorities
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27(th) December 2013, Toronto, Canada
A Canadian delegation led by Rev. Majed El Shafie, President and Founder of One
Free World International ('OFWT'), visited Bangladesh from December 16 to
December 21, 2013. The delegation included two Honourable Canadian Members of
Parliament: Mr. Brad Butt, Member of Parliament (Mississauga-Streetsville), Co-
Chair of Canada Bangladesh Parliamentary Friendship Group; Mr. Jay Aspin, Member
of Parliament (Nipissing-Timiskaming). The two Members of Parliament
participated in the capacity of observers.
The OFWI-led delegation met with representatives of the government and
opposition parties, as well as civil society and religious minority leaders. The
delegation expressed its support for religious freedom and minority rights in
Bangladesh and listened to the concerns and perspectives of Bangladeshi leaders
and civil society. The delegation also met with Her Excellency Prime Minister
Sheikh Hasina to discuss these important issues.
OFWI travelled to Bangladesh in order to stand with the people of Bangladesh
against religious extremism in any form. OFWI is deeply concerned by the
ongoing and increasing attacks against religious minorities in Bangladesh. OFWI
firmly believes that only a clear separation between religion and the state can
ensure the rights of all Bangladeshi, including its minorities.
The nation of Bangladesh is at a crossroads in its history. The Bangladesh
polity has repeatedly though the constitutional and judicial institutions
affirmed the values of secularism, equality, and religious freedom. Today
resurgent extremism and resulting attacks on religious minorities threaten to
undo the progress made towards meaningful and universal human rights in
Bangladesh. In order to choose the path of freedom and justice, the people of
Bangladesh must affirm that the rights of religious minorities can only be truly
protected by a secular political order that recognizes everyone's right to
practice their religion freely. They must reject the attempts by religious
extremist parties to exert influence over the political process and impose a
restrictive view of religion that would make political and civil rights
contingent on one's religious identity. The threat of extremism is not only a
threat to Bangladesh's minorities; it is a threat to the Bangladeshi people as a
whole.
The road towards universal human rights is far from easy. The current political
struggle goes to the very heart of Bangladesh's collective national identity. If
human rights are to prevail, the Bangladeshi people must have the strength of
conviction to separate their religious identity from democracy and politics, and
affirm everyone's right to full democratic participation and protection under
the law.
OFWI is committed to standing with the people and government of Bangladesh in
their efforts to ensure freedom and human rights, and to fight extremism and
intolerance.
Media Contact
Brian Mayes
One Free World International
Tel: +1 416 436 6528
Email: info@onefreeworldinternational.org
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