'Diplomats voice concern over detention of protesters’

Some Western diplomats have voiced concern over continued arrests and fate of those already in police custody over recent student demonstrations for safe roads.

They expressed their concern at a discussion with Foreign Secretary Shahidul Haque yesterday, diplomatic sources said.

Though the foreign ministry officials called the meeting an “informal and usual” one, the sources said most of the Western envoys, including US charge d' affaires, European Union, Denmark, Sweden, Spain and Italy, talked about a host of current issues like squeezing of freedom of expression, rights of media, attack on US ambassador's vehicle, ongoing political situation and Rohingya repatriation.

They also raised their concern over not taking any action against those responsible for attacks on protesters and journalists, and called for an investigation into those attacks.

They said they were worried about the fate of photographer Shahidul Alam and several female students detained over recent protests.

The envoys also enquired about the progress of investigation into the August 4 attack on the official vehicle of US Ambassador to Bangladesh Marcia Bernicat.

In response, the foreign secretary informed them that the government already strongly condemned the attack and law enforcement agencies were investigating it. On completion of the probe, action will be taken against the attackers.