Apologies to His Excellency Dr.Khalil Rahman
OTTAWA, July 25, 2022- We would like to address the infelicitous and untoward incident that took place in Bangladesh Canada Association of Ottawa Valley (BACAOV) annual picnic 2022 – the assault on the chief guest of the event Bangladesh High Commissioner by a disgruntled ex-employee of Bangladesh High Commission. BACAOV picnic is a joyous occasion, a celebration of the Bangladeshi-Canadian community in the region and this heinous incident took a toll on everyone present.
Firstly, we would like to extend our deepest apologies to Bangladesh High Commissioner Dr. Khalil Rahman for this incident. The perpetrator of this egregious act is not a member of BACAOV. We, as the organizers of the event, had no affiliation with this person. We regret that we failed to foresee such a heinous act on that day.
Secondly, we would like to debunk any fake news or rumors that the perpetrator of this incident has been spreading within the community. On the day of the incident, as His Excellency High Commissioner Dr. Khalil Rahman, our chief guest was giving away prizes, the attacker shoved the High Commissioner and yelled profanities but he was apprehended before he could commit any further act of violence. We would like to be on record and affirm that anything else you may have heard through social media or grapevine is incorrect.
The person who assaulted Bangladesh High Commissioner is an ex-employee of Bangladesh High Commission, who left Bangladesh High Commission dishonorably. With this attack on Bangladesh High Commissioner, this person has defamed the Government of Bangladesh and cast a long shadow on the Bangladeshi expat community in Canada. This ex-employee of Bangladesh High Commission should be declared persona-non grata in all the Bangladeshi communities in Canada. Raising and shoving hands on His Excellency, the High Commissioner is equivalent to attack on the President of Bangladesh. We sincerely hope that the Government of Canada takes this incident seriously and the attacker is brought to Justice under the law. We aim to extend any support required to serve justice in this regard. We also urge the Government of Canada to ensure full protection of His Excellency, the High Commissioner & his family members, of the Bangladesh High Commission and the Bangladesh House under the 1961 Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations.
As the President of BACOV I am deeply regretful that this incident took place in our event. This is an unfortunate and unprecedented incident in the 50 years history of BACAOV. BACAOV will ensure that the aforementioned individual will never be able to participate in any future BACAOV events. On behalf of BACAOV and the Bangladeshi Canadian community, I apologize sincerely to His Excellency Dr. Khalilur Rahman for this deplorable incident.
Sincerely yours,
Shah Bahauddin (Shishir)
President, Bangladesh Canada Association of Ottawa Valley (BACAOV)
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