UK envoy summoned over rights report
The foreign ministry yesterday suggested that the UK refrains from using an form of insinuating and misleading statements about Bangladesh government or the ruling party, Bangladesh Awami League.
It summoned acting British high commissioner Javed Patel to convey the message, along with the government's views and disappointment with certain issues mentioned in the Bangladesh chapter of the Human Rights and Democracy Report 2020 released by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) on Thursday.
According to the report, there was no overall improvement in the human rights situation in Bangladesh in 2020.
It noted concerns over further restrictions on the freedom of expression, including the use of the Digital Security Act, to muzzle criticism of the government's Covid-19 response, and continued violence against women and girls.
Patel was also advised to consult the authorities concerned in case of any confusion over legal issues, in reference to the use of phrases like "house arrest of BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia", according to a statement by the ministry.
The ministry also said it was grossly misleading to use the words "house arrest" in reference to the former prime minister's current situation.
Officials at the office of the director general (West Europe and EU) interacted with the UK diplomat and clarified that on the application of Khaleda Zia's brother, the government had -- as per the provisions of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1898 -- suspended her prison sentence and released her in March 2020 on condition that she would receive medical treatment at home and would not travel abroad.
The ministry pointed out that the suspension of her sentence and release from prison, applicable for an initial six-month period, was subsequently extended twice -- once in September 2020 and once in March 2021.
The foreign ministry officials reiterated the government's position on certain terminologies used in the report in reference to Bangladesh that are either not internationally agreed upon or not recognised by Bangladesh's own laws.
Patel took notes on the government's views and assured conveying those to FCDO authorities.
He said that the UK valued its diversified partnership with Bangladesh and wished to continue a constructive dialogue on human rights and governance issues through established mechanisms.
He recognised Bangladesh as a "maturing democracy" and said the UK government did not take sides with or against any political party of the country.
The officials on both sides agreed on the importance of using authentic sources of information for citations in official documents or reports.