UK, Bangladesh share commitment to freedom of speech and democracy: Prince Charles

Prince Charles of Wales congratulated Bangladesh on the golden jubilee of its independence in a video message today and said the UK also celebrates its shared values with Bangladesh.

He expressed sadness that the pandemic had prevented him from visiting Bangladesh to mark the occasion, the UK High Commission has said in a statement today.

Reflecting on the past 50 years, Charles commended Bangladesh's remarkable achievements, including bringing more than 50 million people out of extreme poverty since 1990; increasing life expectancy and reducing infant mortality; and turning the economy into one of the fastest-growing in the world.

The prince also commended Bangladesh's "considerable leadership on tackling the existential threats from accelerating climate change" and welcomed "the role of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in chairing the Climate Vulnerable Forum of nations most affected by the multiple threats of global warming, climate change, and biodiversity loss".

The prince went on to recognise the 600,000 strong British-Bangladeshi diaspora community and the "incredible contribution this community has made to all walks of British life," said the statement.

The UK and Bangladesh "have a shared history, a shared constitutional commitment to freedom, the rule of law, free speech and democracy and an affection which continues to bind us in friendship," the prince observed.

"I send my fondest wishes to Bangladesh and all those celebrating this very special occasion. Shadhinotar ponchash bochhore Bangladesh ke amar obhinandan!" he wrote.