‘UN observation not a problem, anti-drug drives to continue’

Staff Correspondent: “The government will not bow down its head to any international pressure or UN observation in launching anti-drug drives. The operation will continue until drugs are uprooted from the country,” said Road Transport and Bridges Minister and Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader.

The minister made the comment while replying to a query of journalists after a signing ceremony at Bangabandhu International Conference Centre (BICC) in the capital on Sunday.

Quader said the United Nations is monitoring the anti-drug drives in Bangladesh. The government will not bow down its head to any international pressure or UN observation in launching anti-drug drives. The operation will continue until drugs are uprooted from the country.

The drug dealers will not be spared, no matter whatever the political party they belong, Quader said.

Responding to another question, the minister said Abdur Rahman Bodi, the lawmaker from Cox's Bazar-4 (Ukhia-Teknaf), will not be spared if proof of drug dealing is found against him.

Earlier on Friday, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) said it is closely following anti-drug operations in Bangladesh that have allegedly resulted in dozens of deaths.

The UNODC also urged all member states to adhere to their commitments to promote balanced, human rights-based approaches to drug control, in line with the three international drug control conventions and the outcome document of the United Nations General Assembly special session on the world drug problem.


risingbd/Dhaka/June 3, 2018/Hasan/AI