Stop wars and save money spent on arms for children’s welfare: PM
UNB :
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Wednesday reiterated her call to the world leaders to come forward to stop the ongoing wars and arm races for the sake of the global welfare.
“The wars and arms race can’t bring the welfare of the people,” she said referring to Russia-Ukraine war and Tuesday’s bombing of a Palestine hospital that caused huge casualties.
The premier made the call while addressing the inauguration of Sheikh Russel Day-2023 and the awarding-ceremony of Sheikh Russel Medal-2023 at Bangabandhu International Conference Centre here in the city.
The event was organised to mark the 60th birthday of Sheikh Russel, the youngest son of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.
Russel was one of the martyrs of the August 15 tragedy when he was just 10 years old.
Hasina said the children and women are the worst victims of the wars. Now Israel has started attack on Palestine.
Many children were killed in Tuesday’s bombing attack on a hospital. The bloodstained images of children were seen there. Children were also killed in Israel, she added.
She said they can understand the pain and sufferings of the people who are losing their parents and children in the wars as they — two sisters Sheikh Hasina and Sheikh Rehana— had to lead such life and stay as refugees in foreign lands after 1975 bloodbath.
“So, we don’t want war. I call upon … to stop the war,” said the prime minister.
She said the money spent for arms production and races should be used for ensuring food, healthcare and development of the world’s children.
“It is our demand. I also demand it,” she added.
“We want peace. Because, peace brings development and war causes destruction.
We don’t want destruction, rather want development and peace,” she said, adding that Bangladesh has always been working for peace.
Focusing on her government’s steps for the welfare of children and success, Hasina said they took all necessary measures for the development of children.
So, the rates of child mortality and maternal mortality declined as well as food and nutrition security was ensured for them, she said.
