Stop wars, save money spent on arms for children's welfare: PM Hasina
Bangladesh's Premier Sheikh Hasina once again appealed to global leaders, urging them to halt ongoing conflicts and arms races in the interest of children's welfare.
She emphasized, 'Wars and arms races cannot bring about the well-being of people,' making reference to the Russia-Ukraine conflict and the recent bombing of a Palestinian hospital, which resulted in a significant number of casualties.
PM Hasina reiterated this call during her address at the inauguration of Sheikh Russel Day-2023 and the presentation of the Sheikh Russel Medal-2023 at the Bangabandhu International Conference Centre in the city.
She went on to express her concern, saying, 'Children and women are the most vulnerable victims of wars. Presently, Israel has initiated an attack on Palestine, leading to the tragic loss of many children in Tuesday's hospital bombing. Heartbreaking images of bloodied children have emerged from the scene, and children have also lost their lives in Israel.'
Drawing from her own personal experiences, Premier Hasina related to the pain and suffering of those who have lost their loved ones in conflicts. She recounted how, following the 1975 bloodshed, she and her sister Sheikh Rehana had to endure the life of refugees in a foreign land.
'We do not desire war. I appeal to all global leaders to put an end to warfare,' she declared.
Prime Minister Hasina emphasized that the resources allocated for the arms race should be redirected towards ensuring food, healthcare, and the development of the world's children. She stated, "This is our plea, and I endorse it as well."
'We seek peace. Peace fosters development, while war leads to destruction. We do not seek destruction; instead, we aim for progress and peace,' she added. She also highlighted that Bangladesh has consistently worked towards promoting peace.
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