UK Envoy to Dhaka Summoned over Human Rights Report

Bangladesh's Foreign Ministry summoned acting British High Commissioner Javed Patel to express its "disappointment" with the UK government's latest human rights report.

The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office department released the Human Rights and Democracy Report 2020 on Thursday, which contained a chapter on Bangladesh, reports media.

Bangladesh has disputed the report's categorization of BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia's current condition as "house arrest."

“It was clarified to the AHC that the government had - on the application of Begum Zia's brother - suspended her prison sentence and 'released' her in March 2020 under the provisions of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1898, on the condition that she would receive medical treatment at home and would not travel abroad,” the ministry said in a statement on Sunday.

“It was noted that her sentence was suspended and she was released from prison for an initial six-month period, which was then extended twice in September 2020 and March 2021.”

If there was any "confusion about such legal concerns," the ministry advised the acting high commissioner to "contact the competent authorities."

A report from the UK government should not include "insinuating and misleading" claims about Bangladesh's government or ruling party, the Awami League, according to the ministry.

It also expressed concerns about the wording and numbers used to refer to Rohingyas temporarily sheltering in Bangladesh.

Patel gave assurances that these views would be conveyed to the agency responsible for the report.

“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,” Patel said, according to the statement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Patel ‘recognized’ Bangladesh as a ‘maturing democracy’ and added that the UK government did not take sides 'with or against' any political party in Bangladesh, the ministry said.