Home affairs adviser lieutenant general (retired) Md Jahangir Alam Chowdhury on Monday said that 100 per cent security had been ensured for all foreign nationals living in Bangladesh.
The adviser said this during a meeting with the Canadian high commissioner to Bangladesh Lilly Nicholls at his office at secretariat.
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 adviser said that there was no reason for foreigners to fear about security. 鈥榃e have provided complete security for them.鈥�
He further stated that the law and order situation in Bangladesh was gradually improving and the situation would be able to be brought to a more satisfactory level very soon.
When the envoy expressed concern about the recent Rohingya situation, the adviser said that they were monitoring the Rohingya situation very closely and had given top priority to the safety of the Rohingyas, as well as the local and foreign NGO workers working there and the international community.
He also said that Bangladesh had been providing shelter and necessary support to 1.2 million Rohingya refugees for many years despite its limited financial capacity.
鈥楴ow is the time to repatriate this huge population and rehabilitate them in other countries.鈥�
The adviser also requested the resettlement of some Rohingyas in Canada.
When the adviser asked for Canada鈥檚 assistance in police reform, Lilly said that a project related to Canada鈥檚 cooperation in police training was underway in Bangladesh. Canada could play a greater role in this by expanding it.
When the envoy sought Jahangir鈥檚 cooperation in implementing the Canada-funded 鈥楢gricultural Technology Centre鈥� project to transfer modern agricultural technology to Bangladesh, the adviser assured full cooperation.
Drawing attention of the High Commissioner regarding smuggled money from Bangladesh to Canada, Jahangir 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 Lilly said that bringing back the money was 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 counsellor (political) Marcus Davies, senior trade commissioner and counsellor Debra Boyce along with senior officials of the ministry of home affairs were present.