UK concerned over unrest in Bangladesh

UK Minister of State at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office Hugo Swire has expressed his deep concern at the ongoing violence and political unrest in Bangladesh.

Swire said, "I raised my concerns about the violence and shrinking of democratic space in Bangladesh with Dr Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury, the Bangladesh Parliament Speaker, during her visit to the UK on March 9.”

“I also raised these concerns, not least the reported office confinement of Bangladesh Nationalist Party leader Khaleda Zia, when I met the Bangladesh Law Minister on January 20, 2015. I made a public statement reiterating these messages on March 5. We are also encouraging the UN and others in the international community to play an active role."

He has called on all political parties in Bangladesh to take necessary confidence-building measures to stop the violence and ensure an inclusive and participatory political process, reports our London correspondent.

Swire was responding yesterday to a written question put forward by the Bradford East lawmaker who had asked what support the foreign office was providing to the government and opposition in Bangladesh to help address the constitutional crisis.