8th commemoration of Holey Artisan Bakery attack on Monday

8th commemoration of Holey Artisan Bakery attack on Monday

Dhaka, June 30 - The 8th anniversary of the Holey Artisan Bakery attack, the deadliest night of terror in the country’s history that saw 22 people killed, will be commemorated on Monday.

Diplomats including Ambassador of Italy Antonio Alessandro will pay tribute to the victims of the attack of July 1, 2016 at Holey Artisan Bakery through deposition of the wreath of flowers on Monday.

They will also pay tribute to the victims of the attack at Diplomatic Police Headquarters.

Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen, Director General for Italian Citizens abroad of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Luigi Vignali, representing the Italian government will attend, an official told UNB on Sunday.

Ambassadors and High Commissioners and/or their representatives of India, Japan and the United States of America are also expected to join to extend their deepest condolences to the loved ones of the victims.

The international community commends Bangladesh’s efforts to bring those responsible to justice and recommit to their strong partnership to prevent future attacks.

Representatives of the families of the victims and victims’ friends from the expatriates’ community in Dhaka will also remain present.

The majority of the victims were foreigners residing in or visiting the capital’s diplomatic quarter around Gulshan-Baridhara.

The threats of violent extremism in Bangladesh has “subsided significantly” since the Holey Artisan bakery attack in 2016 due to the ‘whole of society’ approach of the government to prevent violent extremism (PVE).

The ambassador of Italy to Bangladesh praised Bangladesh’s accomplishments in particular the community based approach to PVE.

In an event last month, he said that Bangladesh drew lessons from the Holey Artisan Bakery attack and aptly translated them into action.