Deputy Speaker Barrister Kayser Kamal on Tuesday condemned the attack on actress Azmeri Haque Badhan in Italy, describing it as an “extremely unforgivable and reprehensible crime.”
“It is an extremely unforgivable and reprehensible crime. It is a crime against humanity and an extreme manifestation of brutality,” he said.
He made the remarks after BNP lawmaker Jahrat Adib Chowdhury (Women Seat-27) raised the issue in Parliament and sought steps from the Foreign Ministry to ensure action against those who attacked the actress.
Raising the issue on a point of order at the outset of Tuesday’s sitting, which began at 3:30pm with Deputy Speaker Kayser Kamal in the chair, Jahrat Adib Chowdhury said noted actress Badhan was physically assaulted and verbally abused while walking in a park with her family members, including a child in Venice, Italy.
“The only reason behind the attack was that she was a July fighter. She stood beside the people of Bangladesh on July 24,” said the BNP lawmaker.
She alleged that the attackers were identified supporters of the “fascist government” and said their identities have already been established through social media posts.
“I want to know how our Foreign Ministry is working with the Italian law enforcement agencies and the Italian government to ensure strong action against those responsible,” she said.
Azmeri Haque Badhan is currently in Venice for the premiere of her film “The Difficult Bride” was attacked and harassed while spending time with her brother and his family in Italy.
Responding to the issue, Deputy Speaker Kayser Kamal said no representative of the ministry concerned was present in Parliament at that moment.
“Let us wait. There are one or two state ministers for foreign affairs. Once any of them come, we will hear their statements,” he said.
“The Parliament is waiting to know about this. The nation wants to know,” the Deputy Speaker said.
Later, when State Minister for Foreign Affairs Humaiun Kobir joined the session, the Deputy Speaker asked him to make a statement on the issue after the question-and-answer session.