Killings, abductions worry outgoing German envoy
Outgoing German Ambassador to Dhaka Albrecht Conze yesterday said some parts of Bangladesh have “slipped away from state control” which is a matter of concern for its people.
Referring to the recent abductions and killings in the country, he said, “We have seen quite horrible incidents in certain places not too far away from Dhaka and the law seems to have disappeared partially.”
“So, return to rule of law everywhere in the country is in the interest of all of you, which is a major challenge for the country,” the diplomat told reporters after a farewell meeting with Speaker Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury at the latter's parliament office.
The rule of law, said Conze, is the basis of a modern country.
Bangladesh faced various challenges ever since it has existed as a nation, he mentioned, adding that the current and future challenges would certainly be different from the previous ones.
“And what now is a matter of concern is that the state very quickly finds a way of imposing correct state control in all parts of the country,” he noted.
The Speaker, said Conze, has given the assurance that the present government would make sure the state protects all its citizens from those who want to exploit people.
Pointing to the January 5 parliamentary polls, the German ambassador said: “None of our position as European has changed [regarding the election].
“The future now seems to be more important than the past. And this is what I will leave to my successor -- Try and build up friendly relations with the Bangladesh society with regards to the coming challenges,” he mentioned.
He is scheduled to leave Dhaka on Sunday after discharging his duties for around two years.
Comments