Hoping for inclusive, transparent election in Bangladesh: UK minister
UK Minister Lord Tariq Ahmad today said he hoped for an inclusive and transparent election in Bangladesh, saying that the country has shown sustainability of democracy but there is an opportunity to go even further.
"As Bangladesh approaches its next election period, the constitution emphasises on both transparency and due process of its law-abiding right to everyone," he said at a talk on "Bangladesh-UK: Partners in Progress" at the Foreign Service Academy in Dhaka today.
Lord Tariq, who arrived in Dhaka yesterday to attend the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) ministerial meeting on November 17, spoke elaborately on the solid relationship between the two countries, and the growing importance of Bangladesh in the region and on the global stage.
He lauded Bangladesh's socio-economic development and assured that the two countries will continue to forge partnership to uphold and improve development and human rights both here and in the UK and beyond.
Lord Tariq said Bangladesh's founding values are an example to the world. Those are very farsighted and guarantee the rights of freedom of all Bangladeshis, and they stress the importance of human rights.
"We stand with those who promote respect and tolerance between communities … I do hope and believe that … In Sha Allah (if God willing) the citizens of Bangladesh will have an open and vigorous debate about the country's directions," said Ahmad, minister of state for South Asia, UN and the Commonwealth.
He said inclusive politics is essential for every country's prospect – something that Bangladesh's Father of the Nation Sheikh Mujibur Rahman knew very well.
"Bangladesh has today built something quite remarkable. Yet, no country progresses by sitting on its laurels. There is an opportunity for this great nation to go even further."
Noting the recent meeting of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her British counterpart Boris Johnson and Bangladesh's leadership of the climate-vulnerable countries in the COP26, he said the country has become important on the global stage.
Therefore, the UK also is working to strengthen the ties with Bangladesh in terms of trade, education, climate change, and more.
"We must work together so that economic development does not come at the cost of the planet. It is now the time to act now, not tomorrow," he said.
He assured that the UK would continue to stand with Bangladesh in urgently finding ways to a resolution to the Rohingya crisis, stressing the need for accountability as well as repatriation.
"We will not let this matter drop."
The UK minister also announced that the UK would invest up to £54 million in support for education in Bangladesh. The funding will be used for two new programmes which will help ensure disadvantaged girls and youngsters have access to quality education, he added.