Canadian envoy discusses polls, rights issues with BNP

Canadian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Dr Lilly Nicholls on Monday met BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir and discussed various issues relating to Bangladesh's upcoming national election and human rights situation.

Nicholls arrived at the BNP chairperson's Gulshan office at 1:30pm and had a 'closed-door' meeting there with a BNP delegation, led by Fakhrul.

BNP Standing Committee Member Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury and Organising Secretary Shama Obaed were present at the meeting that ended around 3:10pm

Later, Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury briefed reporters about the meeting and subjects they discussed.

"We had a very good discussion. We talked about all issues relating to Bangladesh's present perspective, especially, human rights, our elections, and the rule of law and security of public life," he said.

Khosru said Canada attaches great importance to human rights, democratic rights, security of public life, the rule of law, and good governance. "Canada and some other countries always take a strong stance on these issues."

He said Canada has been bilaterally telling the Bangladesh government at different times that human rights have been violated here in the country.

Like the people of Bangladesh, democratic countries, multilateral bodies, and human rights organisations all over the world, Canada is also concerned over many issues since it gives importance to democracy and human rights.