Dhaka, Jun 10 (V7N) – Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has called for building a “fascism-free Bangladesh,” urging the nation to learn from the past rather than repeat it, as he addressed the International UN Peacekeepers Day programme at Senakunj on Wednesday.

Speaking at the event, the Prime Minister said the country belongs to everyone and must move forward through unity, peace, and democratic values rather than political divisions rooted in history.

“The country belongs to all of us. Not to practice the past, but to learn from the past and establish ourselves in a fascism-free Bangladesh,” he said.

He paid tribute to fallen UN peacekeepers from Bangladesh, describing their sacrifice as a “shining example” not only for the nation but also for peace-loving people across the world. He said their contribution under the UN flag continues to enhance Bangladesh’s global reputation in peacekeeping missions.

Highlighting the role of the armed forces, the Prime Minister said the military has been a “symbol of trust, honor, and courage” for over four decades. He referred to the 2009 incident involving an attack on military personnel, urging that lessons be learned from history while focusing on strengthening national unity.

He also emphasized the importance of modernizing the armed forces in line with changing global geopolitics, calling for greater technological adaptation to ensure national security and sovereignty.

The Prime Minister noted the growing participation of women in UN peacekeeping missions, saying it has added a new dimension to Bangladesh’s international peacekeeping role. He expressed confidence that female participation would continue to increase in the coming years.

Earlier in the programme, he handed over awards and honors to the families of six fallen peacekeepers and seven injured personnel in recognition of their service and sacrifice.

The event underscored Bangladesh’s longstanding contribution to UN peacekeeping operations and reaffirmed commitments to continue playing an active role in global peace efforts.

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