Bangladesh Ambassador to the United States, Muhammad Imran, has said the brutal killings of Bangabandhu and his family members, including Sheikh Russel who was a child at the time, are some of the gravest violations of human rights in global history.
Through this barbaric killing, he said, the UN Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the UN Convention of the Rights of the Child have been severely violated.
In his closing remarks at a seminar in Washington on Wednesday, Bangladesh Ambassador Imran paid deepest homage to Shaheed Sheikh Russel, Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, and other martyrs of the August 15 carnage.
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The Bangladesh Embassy in Washington DC on Wednesday observed "Sheikh Russel Day", marking the 60th birthday of Shaheed Sheikh Russel, the youngest son of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, in a befitting manner.
The daylong programmes of the Embassy included placing floral wreaths at the portraits of Sheikh Russel and Bangabandhu, reading out messages of the President and the Prime Minister, screening of a documentary, organising a seminar on the life of Shaheed Sheikh Russel, and quiz and painting competitions for children.
The programmes began with placing floral wreaths by Bangladesh Ambassador to the United States Muhammad Imran at the portraits of Shaheed Sheikh Russel and Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman at the Bangabandhu Auditorium.
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The messages issued on the occasion by President Mohammed Shahabuddin and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina were read out by Minister (Consular) Mohammad Habibur Rahman and Minister (Political) Md Rashedujjaman.
The theme song of the day was played along with a video which was followed by a documentary on the life of Shaheed Sheikh Russel, said the Embassy.
Later, a seminar titled “Brutal Assassination of Sheikh Russel and Human Rights” was held at the Bangabandhu Auditorium of the Embassy. Counselor (Political) Arifa Rahman Ruma presented the keynote speech at the seminar.
In her keynote speech, Ruma said Sheikh Russel's assassination was the most heinous case of killing a child.
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She said the killing was the execution of the conspiracy of the anti-Liberation War elements to halt the advancement of a just-independent state and nation.
Minister (Press) AZM Sajjad Hossain took part in the discussion on the keynote speech and said the anti-Liberation War forces perpetrated the crimes against humanity on August 15 through killings, including 10-year-old Sheikh Russel along with Bangabandhu and his other family members.
In the evening, painting and quiz competitions were held with the participation of children. Later, a special prayer was offered.
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The programmes of the day ended with distribution of prizes by the ambassador among the winners of the quiz and painting competitions.
Counselor and Head of Chancery Mohammad Moniruzzaman and First Secretary (Passport and Visa) Muhammad Abdul Hye Milton conducted the two parts of the programmes.