UK has stressed protection of human rights to Bangladesh’s interim govt: Commons leader
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The UK is actively engaging with the humanitarian situation in Bangladesh and has stressed its long-standing commitment to human rights to the interim government of the country, says Alan Campbell, leader of the House of Commons.
He made the remarks in response to a question from Bob Blackman, the Conservative MP from Harrow East in Greater London during a debate in parliament on Thursday, bdnews24.com reports.
“At the pre-recess adjournment debate, I raised the situation in Bangladesh, and the leader of the house quite rightly wrote to the foreign secretary about the disastrous situation there,” Blackman said.
“Hindu men are being murdered on the streets; their houses are being burned; the temples are being burned; and other religious minorities are suffering similar fates. Next month, there are due to be so-called free and fair elections. The Awami League, which is a major political party in Bangladesh, is banned from competing in those elections, despite its commanding about 30 percent in the opinion polls. Equally, the Islamic extremists have called for a referendum which would change the Constitution of Bangladesh forever.”
He asked for a statement from the foreign secretary on what action the UK government would take to ensure free, fair, and inclusive elections and the protection of minorities.
Campbell responded that the UK government is actively engaged with the humanitarian situation in the country and supporting the interim government on peaceful and credible elections.
“We have a long-standing commitment to the promotion and protection of human rights, and we continue to stress that to the interim government of Bangladesh,” he said.
“We condemn all acts of violence, whether they are religious or ethnic-based, and welcome the commitments of the head of the interim government to the safety of minorities, including where arrests are made. But I will draw the honourable gentleman’s comments to the attention of the foreign secretary and, of course, I am sure that the department will want to bring forward a statement when it is appropriate.”