In the first international call for justice against the assassins of Bangabandhu and four national leaders, Bangabandhu’s daughter Sheikh Rehana raised the demand at an international conference in 1979 in Sweden’s Stockholm, a historic beginning that culminated in success, long after, during the Sheikh Hasina-led Awami League government, said speakers.
On May 10, 1979, she turned the global attention to the darkest chapter in the country’s history through a speech at an all-European Bakshal conference, participated by European country heads, the UN chief, and international NGO high-ups in Stockholm.
That incident goes down in the annals of history as the voice for global pressure on the then-Bangladeshi government was raised through that emotion-choked rendition, they added.
Speakers reflected on the event at a virtual meeting, organized by All European Awami League unit, last night (May 10, 2022).
Awami League Advisory Council Member Amir Hossain Amu, International Affairs Secretary Dr Shammi Ahmed, Information and Broadcasting Minister Dr Hasan Mahmud, and Awami League UK unit President Sultan Sharif Mahmud, among others, spoke at the program.
The meeting was conducted by all European Awami League President M Nazrul Islam, who reminisced about the initiatives undertaken in the UK, Sweden, and other parts of Europe, demanding justice for Bangabandhu’s assassination.
As Sheikh Hasina, now the prime minister, could not attend the 1979-international conference, she recommended the participation of Sheikh Rehana, who played an organizational role in advancing the demand forward and delivered a stirring speech receiving a global appeal, he added.
Expressing gratitude for Bangabandhu’s daughters, Sultan Sharif said, “Without Sheikh Hasina’s inspiration, it wouldn’t be possible to organize the conference. At the same time, if Sheikh Rehana didn’t take the initiative with us, we wouldn’t see this bright day today.”
They reinvigorated the party through different activities in London, raising voices for the justice for Bangabandhu’s assassination, Amir Hossain Amu said.
Through Bangabandhu’s murder, he said, the spirit of the Liberation War and achievements were destroyed.
Appreciating Sheikh Rehana for her ability to handle situations in a calm manner, Dr Hasan Mahmud said that she guided them at critical moments such as the time when Sheikh Hasina was arrested.