Bangladesh summons British high commissioner over a rights report
The officials on both sides agreed on the importance of using authentic sources of information for citations in official documents or reports
Bangladesh foreign ministry has summoned acting British High Commissioner Javed Patel to express its views and "disappointment" over a recent report of Human Rights from the UK government.
The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office last Thursday released the Human Rights and Democracy Report 2020 with inclusion of a chapter on Bangladesh.
The government expressed its disappointment to the Acting High Commissioner over the use of the words "house arrest" in reference to the current situation of BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia in the report, terming it as grossly misleading.
"It was clarified to the AHC that on the application of Begum 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 MOFA said in the press statement on Sunday.
It was pointed out that the suspension of Khaleda Zia's sentence and release from prison, applicable for an initial six-month period, were subsequently extended twice in September 2020 and March 2021, the ministry added.
Bangladesh requested the British envoy to consult the concerned authorities of the government in case of any confusion over such legal issues.
The UK government was also urged to refrain from using any form of insinuating and misleading statements about the Bangladesh government or the ruling party, Bangladesh Awami League in its official document.
Bangladesh also raised concerns over the use of the number of Rohingyas now temporarily sheltered in Bangladesh.
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 assured them of conveying those to the authorities of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office.
He said the UK valued its diversified partnership with Bangladesh, and wished to continue a constructive dialogue on human rights and governance issues through the established mechanisms.
He recognised Bangladesh as a 'maturing democracy' and said that 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, the ministry said.