Democracy in Bangladesh

In an Adjournment debate in the House of Commons, Dr Rupa Huq, the MP for Ealing Central and Acton, opened the discussion on the topic of democracy in Bangladesh. She provided a detailed overview of the recent political upheaval in the country, noting that the previous Prime Minister, Sheikh Hasina, had been unexpectedly overthrown, leading to the appointment of Nobel laureate Professor Muhammad Yunus as an interim leader. Dr Huq highlighted concerns about the erosion of democracy, secularism, and human rights in Bangladesh in recent years, drawing parallels to events such as the fall of Saddam Hussein and the Tiananmen Square protests. She emphasized the importance of safeguarding the rights of minority communities, particularly Hindus and Buddhists, and called for a reset in the UK's relationship with Bangladesh, including a review of any deportation agreements. The MP also praised the courage of the Bangladeshi student protesters who had taken to the streets, and expressed hope that the new interim government would work to restore democracy and human rights in the country. She suggested ways in which the UK could provide support, such as offering expertise in constitutional reform, capacity building for institutions, and asset recovery. In response, the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, Catherine West, acknowledged the UK's historic relationship with Bangladesh and the significant contributions of the Bangladeshi diaspora in the UK. She expressed the government's commitment to supporting a peaceful and democratic future for Bangladesh, and outlined the UK's concerns about the recent violence and human rights violations during the protests. The minister stated that the UK had called for a full and independent UN-led investigation into the events, and that the government was actively engaging with the interim Bangladeshi government to encourage democratic participation, civil space, and accountable governance. She also highlighted the UK's ongoing humanitarian support for Bangladesh, particularly in response to the recent devastating floods. Throughout the debate, several other MPs, including the Chair of the Defence Committee, the Chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group for International Freedom of Religion or Belief, and representatives from constituencies with large Bangladeshi communities, intervened to emphasize the importance of protecting minority rights, promoting community cohesion, and ensuring a free and fair democratic process in Bangladesh.