Bangabandhu was a champion of human rights

Former UN secretary-general Ban-ki Moon has said Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman was a champion of human rights not only within Bangladesh but across the globe.

Bangabandhu was far ahead of his time and had far reaching vision, and he spoke for all those who were repressed, Moon, also a former South Korean diplomat, said at the Bangabandhu Lecture Series organised by the foreign ministry on Monday, joining virtually.

Recalling that the situation was severe in the war-ravaged Bangladesh, Ban-ki Moon said he still remembers how the Bangladeshi officials were frugal in utilising the resources then, and slowly the country was rebuilt.

Today, Bangladesh has become one of the fastest growing economies of the world. More girls are now going to the schools than boys in Bangladesh. Under the leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, the country has also become a champion in terms of climate actions, the former UN secretary-general said.

Bangladesh has made huge progress in developing early warning system and reducing human casualties, he also said.

He expressed hope that Bangladesh will continue to progress further following the legacy of Bangabandhu.

Sharing an anecdote of his time as a South Korean diplomat after Bangaladesh's independence, Moon said he still preserves the fountain pen that he used in drafting the letter to the then South Korean foreign minister in 1973 recommending establishment of diplomatic relationship with Bangladesh.

Moon was then appointed as a junior diplomat in South Korean embassy in Delhi when he drafted the letter with the pen.

"I am very proud to have played a role in the history. My very own fountain pen was used. I have held it as a personal souvenir," he said.

Mentioning that Covid-19 pandemic has created a lot of uncertainties, Moon said the fight against the pandemic is on and that cooperation among countries will now be more important than ever.

He congratulated Bangladesh on the occasion of the golden jubilee of independence and Mujib Borsho.

Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen, State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shahriar Alam, Bangladesh's Ambassador to South Korea Abida Islam and South Korean Ambassador to Bangladesh Lee Jang-Keun also spoke at the event at the Foreign Service Academy.