UK stresses dialogue for inclusive polls

UK stresses dialogue for inclusive polls

Dhaka, Apr 10 (Just News): The United Kingdom on Tuesday stressed the importance of holding dialogue between political parties to resolve differences on holding an inclusive election.

‘…You will not find me speculating about the politics or election outcomes…But as one Commonwealth partner to another, the UK, together with international partners, [such as] the Commonwealth, [the] EU and others, will continue to encourage a peaceful way forward, and encourage dialogue between all political parties in Bangladesh to resolve any difference,’ British high commissioner Alison Blake said replying to a question at a talk in Dhaka.

She expressed her hope to see a ‘peaceful political process’ for holding free, fair and inclusive general elections in Bangladesh by the end of the year. ‘We hope it would be as participatory [and] inclusive as possible.’

On a question about the possibility of mediation by foreign quarters, she said Bangladesh political parties ‘do not need friends to mediate’ as people here ‘can find a way.’

British foreign secretary Boris Johonson stressed the importance of free and fair elections, a free media and an affordable political space to the opposition when he met prime minister Sheikh Hasina and foreign minister [AH] Mahmood Ali during his visit to Bangladesh in February, Blake said at the talk organised by Diplomatic Correspondents Association, Bangladesh at Nationals Press Club.

Replying to questions on if Bangladesh and the British authorities exchanged extradition requests for getting back convicted persons, the high commissioner said the matters were ‘confidential between [the two] governments’ as the British system did not allow to talk about individual requests.

She said all requests [if made] ‘are dealt with on their own merits’ as the two countries did not have any extradition treaty. ‘It is an area that is taken very seriously. [The matter] comes under the purview of the home secretary and in making any determination, she takes advise including from the foreign office, but also independent assesses about all the circumstances…It is something that we try to keep out of the political arena and judge it [as] a judicial and legal process, not a political one,’ Blake said.

On Rohingya issues, she said they deserved justice with holding proper investigation maintaining international standard and preserving evidences of atrocities committed against them in Myanmar.

DCAB president Rezaul Karim and general secretary Mahfuz Mishu also spoke on the occasion.


(Justnews/ys/2320hr)