India-Bangladesh enclaves agreement a model for world: Sheikh Hasina

New York: Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina held up the India-Bangladesh agreement on enclaves as an example for the world in solving problems.

Speaking on Wednesday at the United Nations General Assembly, Hasina said the implementation of the boundary agreement "brought to a peaceful end the lingering humanitarian situation" of 50,000 stateless residents in 162 enclaves. 

"By doing so jointly with India, we have a unique precedent for the world," she said.

Hasina listed terrorism along with climate changes as the twin greatest threats to the sustainability of human civilisation. She recalled her personal experiences saying that she had been the target of 19 terror attacks and her father, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, and her mother had been killed by extremists.

"My government, therefore, maintains a 'zero tolerance' policy to all forms of terrorism, violent extremism and radicalisation," she said. 

"We are steadfast in tackling the extremists and the anti-liberation forces who remain active in destroying the democratic, progressive and secular ethos of our nation."

Hasina also reiterated her determination to punish war criminals - an issue to which some Western nations have been lukewarm. In the spirit of upholding peace and the rule of law and ending the culture of impunity, Hasina said, "We are pursuing the culprits of war crimes, crimes against humanity, rape and genocide committed during our 1971 Liberation War."