Press Release
Lisbon, Wednesday, 18 October 2023
Bangladesh Embassy in Lisbon observed the ‘Sheikh Russel Day’ today (18 October 2023) with due solemnity. The event marked the 60th birth anniversary of Shaheed Sheikh Russel, the youngest son of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. In the commemorative event, Professor of the Lisbon university, human rights activists from the host country, the members of the Bangladesh diaspora, media activists, members of the different social and cultural organizations and members of the staff of the Embassy attended.
The observance of the Sheikh Russel Day began with laying of floral wreaths by the Ambassador of Bangladesh to Portugal H.E. Rezina Ahmed at the portrait of Shaheed Sheikh Russel at the auditorium. The members of Bangladesh diaspora living in Lisbon also laid floral wreaths on the Portrait of Shaheed Sheikh Russel. Then, a special prayer was offered seeking divine blessings for Bangabandhu, Shaheed Sheikh Russel and other martyred members of his family as well as for the continued peace, progress and prosperity of the country. Later, messages of the President and the Prime Minister of Bangladesh, were read out by the officers of the Embassy. Afterwards, a video documentary on the life of Sheikh Russel was screened.
On this occasion, the distinguished human rights activists from the Fundacão de Assistencia Médica Internacional (AMI) Mrs. Tania Barbosa and Mrs. Ana Luisa Ferreira spoke on the occasion of Sheikh Russel Day. Mrs Ana Luisa remarked that Bangladesh is doing a lot in preserving the rights of children and women. They both remarked that the murder of sheikh Russel is tantamount to gross violation of international human rights laws and Convention on the Rights of the Child and observed that the killers of the Sheikh Russel must be brought to justice.
Mr Shiv Kumar, Professor of the Lisbon University made a keynote presentation on the occasion of Sheikh Russel. He said that Sheikh Russel Day is being observed to create awareness about the rights of children all across the world. Referring to the international human rights laws and convention on children’s rights, he mentioned that justice for Russel will be justice for millions of children suffering in the world.
This was followed by a discussion session on the life of Sheikh Russel with participation of officers of the Embassy and expatriate Bangladesh community leaders was held. The speakers dwelt on the promising traits of Sheikh Russel that would make him a great leader, if he could live. They condemned the dastardly, cold-blooded murder of Sheikh Russel by the conspirators who wanted to annihilate the spirit of liberation of Bangladesh.
In her speech, Ambassador Rezina Ahmed paid her deepest tribute to the greatest Bengali of all time Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the father of the antion and his youngest son Sheikh Russel and all the martyrs of 15th August of 1975. She added that this killing of a ten-year- old child revealed how brutal and ruthless the anti-liberation, reactionary force can be. The Ambassador remarked that if Sheikh Russel were alive till today, we would have had a visionary and ideal leader but the anti-liberation, reactionary forces did not allow that to happen. She remarked that Sheikh Russel is part of history of Bangladesh liberation struggle and will always be remembered for his unmatched sacrifice. The Ambassador also said that the murder of Sheikh Russell is the most heinous crime against humanity committed in the world. According to international human rights laws and related conventions, the murder of 10-year-old innocent child Sheikh Russell is a gross violation of human rights and a crime against humanity. She remarked that no child in the world should face this kind of brutality. She also urged the members of Bangladesh community to send their remittance to the country through proper channels for the development of the country.
