The diplomatic landscape is changing. After the killing of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijja raised tensions between India and Canada, Bangladesh has now raised its own complaint against Canada’s extradition policy. Canada’s refusal to extradite Noor Chowdhury, the murderer of Bangladesh’s founder Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, is now at the heart of the controversy. Bangladesh Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen made a comment in an exclusive interview with India Today. He said, “Canada cannot be the abode of all murderers. On the one hand, the murderers are safe in Canada, on the other hand, the relatives of the victims are living in hardship.”
These sharp criticisms suggest Canada’s stance on extradition, particularly its stance against the death penalty, is becoming a ‘protective shield’ for criminals. Elaborating on the issue of death penalty, Momen said, “Our judiciary is very independent and the government cannot interfere in it. However, Noor Chowdhury is sentenced to life imprisonment. If both Noor Chowdhury and Rashid Chowdhury return to Bangladesh and appeal to the President of the country for life, then the President can commute their sentence from death sentence to life imprisonment by granting their mercy plea.”
The foreign minister’s remarks touched on global concerns about human rights abuses. He asserts, “Many times the concept of human rights is misused by many people.
This is really unfortunate because it has often become an excuse for some people to protect murderers and terrorists. ”
Extradition politics to countries like Canada, Bangladesh and India have a larger explanation. They emphasize the challenges countries face in balancing international law, human rights and national security. Although Canada is steadfast in its stance on human rights, it is increasingly seen by its partners as a safety shield for criminals and terrorists. With Bangladesh’s claim, the spotlight is now on Canada’s extradition policy. The events will not only affect bilateral relations but also set a precedent for how countries around the world deal with the complex issue of extradition.
