Staff Correspondent

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today paid her heartfelt respect to career diplomat and former speaker of parliament late Humayun Rasheed Choudhury on his 94th birth anniversary to be observed tomorrow.

On the eve of the day, the Prime Minister issued a message expressing her deep respect towards him.

She said: "Humayun Rasheed Choudhury is a shining star in the history of our great independence."

Risking his life, he responded to the call of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and made mental preparations for a diplomatic war on behalf of the Bengalis in March of 1971, the premier said.

After the 1971 war broke out, he left the side of Pakistan while working at the Pakistani embassy in New Delhi, she said, adding that at that time, Humayun played a leading role in saving the lives of Bengalis working in the embassy.

She said Humayun strongly called for the independence of Bangladesh and the release of imprisoned leader Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman through foreign media.

After the victory of the war and under the direction of Bangabandhu, Humayun started his diplomatic activities to get the recognition of the newly independent Bangladesh, she said, adding that more than 40 countries recognized Bangladesh in a short time for his prudence and efficiency at workplace.

As Humayun was the ambassador to Germany, the premier mentioned that upon hearing the news of the brutal murder of Father of the Nation and his family on 15 August, 1975, Humayun risked his life to keep the two daughters of Bangabandhu-- Sheikh Hasina and Sheikh Rehana - safe at his residence in West Germany.

"He and his wife Mehjabeen Choudhury took care of us (Sheikh Hasina and Sheikh Rehana) with utmost compassion during our worst time," Sheikh Hasina added.
"At that time, Humayun contacted the then Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi and ensured the safety of our lives by arranging our political asylum in Delhi," she continued.

For that, this fearless diplomat had to fall under the wrath of murderous conspirators and their tortures in various ways, she said.

He successfully served as the speaker of the great Jatiya Sangsad from 1996 to 2001, she added.

Humayun Rasheed Choudhury always strived to make the Jatiya Sangsad dynamic and accountable, she said, adding that he will be remembered for his contribution in modernizing and reforming the traditional practices of the National Parliament.

In 2018, Humayun was posthumously awarded the Independence Award (Swadhinata Padak) for his significant contribution to the Great War of Liberation, she said.

The premier wished eternal peace of the departed soul of Humayun Rasheed Choudhury.