Home Affairs Adviser Lt Gen (retd) Md Jahangir Alam Chowdhury has said that 100 percent security has been ensured for all foreign nationals living in Bangladesh.
The adviser said this during a meeting with the Canadian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Dr Lilly Nicholls in his office at the secretariat this afternoon.
They discussed issues of bilateral interest including development of mutual relations between the two countries, safety of foreign nationals including Canada, Rohingya situation, police reform, cooperation in agriculture sector, return of smuggled money.
When the High Commissioner asked about the safety of foreigners including Canadians, the advisor said that there is no reason for foreigners to fear about security. “We have provided complete security for them.”
He further stated that the law and order situation in Bangladesh is gradually improving and the situation would be able to be brought to a more satisfactory level very soon.
When the High Commissioner expressed concern about the recent Rohingya situation, the advisor said, we are monitoring the Rohingya situation very closely and we have given top priority to the safety of the Rohingyas, as well as the local and foreign NGO workers working there and the international community.
“Necessary instructions have been given to the authorities concerned in this regard.”
He also said that Bangladesh has been providing shelter and necessary support to 1.2 million Rohingya refugees for many years despite its limited financial capacity. Now is the time to repatriate this huge population and rehabilitate them in other countries.
The adviser also requested the resettlement of some Rohingyas in Canada.
When the advisor asked for Canada's assistance in police reform, the High Commissioner said that a project related to Canada's cooperation in police training is underway in Bangladesh. Canada can play a greater role in this by expanding it, she said.
“When Dr Lilly Nicholls sought the advisor's cooperation in implementing the Canada-funded 'Agricultural Technology Centre' project to transfer modern agricultural technology to Bangladesh, the adviser assured full cooperation in this regard.”
Drawing attention of the High Commissioner regarding smuggled money from Bangladesh to Canada, he said that many felonious criminals of Bangladesh had smuggled a large amount of money to Canada and taken refuge there.
Assuring full cooperation in this regard, the High Commissioner said that bringing back the money is challenging and time-consuming but not impossible. She requested to send a formal proposal and letter with specific information and evidence through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Bangladesh.
Canadian High Commission Counselor (Political) Marcus Davies, Senior Trade Commissioner and Counselor Debra Boyce along with senior officials of the Ministry of Home Affairs were present in the meeting.