Thursday
26th Dec 2024
Dhivehi Edition
Minister of Defense Mariya Didi has met with the Bangladeshi Chief of Army Staff General Aziz Ahmed, who is alleged to have committed human rights violations.
The meeting was held at Bandaara Koshi, which is the integrated headquarters of the Maldives National Defense Force. During the meeting, Minister Mariya conveyed warm greetings and gratitude on behalf of President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, for visiting the Maldives even during these difficult times posed by the Covid-19 pandemic.
In response, General Aziz relayed greetings and best wishes to President Solih and the people of the Maldives, on the behalf of the Prime Minister of Bangladesh Sheikh Hasina, the people of Bangladesh and himself.
According to the Defense Ministry, the discussions held during the meeting focused on boosting the close ties of Defense Cooperation between the Maldives and Bangladesh, including in the areas of capacity-building in Disaster Relief operations and Anti-Human Trafficking efforts, increasing allotments for Maldivian doctors at the Armed Forces Medical College of Bangladesh as well as training opportunities for Maldivian military personnel.
General Aziz stands accused of gross human rights violations. For instance, he is alleged to have used the Rapid Action Battalion, a paramilitary group in Bangladesh operating under hi authority to carry out enforced disappearances, extrajudicial killing, and torture. A recent report released by Al Jazeera News details the cruelty and human rights violations committed against the citizens by General Aziz and his family.