§ Mr. LyonsTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions he has had with the Government of Bangladesh on protecting the Ahmadiyya Muslim community in that country. [178133]
§ Mr. Mike O'BrienWe continue to be concerned about the situation of Ahmadiyya Muslims in Bangladesh, and raise this regularly with the Bangladeshi Government. I did so with the Bangladeshi High Commissioner in London during his introductory call in January. The British High Commission in Dhaka raises the subject regularly, most recently when our High Commissioner met the Bangladeshi Foreign Minister on 19 May. My right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for International Development (Hilary Benn), raised our concerns about the general law and order situation with the Bangladeshi Prime Minister on 25 May in Shanghai.
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§ Mr. DismoreTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he is making to the Bangladesh Government concerning the security situation in the country with reference to attacks on and harassment of opposition party members; and if he will make a statement. [178187]
§ Mr. Mike O'BrienI discussed the worrying political situation in Bangladesh with the Bangladeshi Finance Minister Saifur Rahman in London on 10 March. I stressed the importance of all parties adopting a constructive approach and working together to allow Bangladesh to address the key issues it faces. Officials at our High Commission in Dhaka regularly raise our concerns about human rights and law and order with the Bangladeshi Government, most recently when our High Commissioner called on the Foreign Minister on 19 May. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for International Development (Hilary Benn) also raised these issues with the Bangladeshi Prime Minister on 25 May in Shanghai.
§ Mr. DismoreTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the bomb attack in Bangladesh which injured the United Kingdom High Commissioner. [178188]
§ Mr. Mike O'BrienAs my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary said in his press statement of 21 May, we were deeply shocked to hear of the events in Sylhet earlier that day in which three people died and some 50 were injured including our High Commissioner to Bangladesh, Anwar Choudhury. A copy of the press statement is available on the Foreign and Commonwealth Office website: www.fco.gov.uk/policy/news/press-releases. We extend our sympathies to all the victims and their families. Mr. Choudhury was visited in hospital by the Foreign Secretary and I visited twice. I am plesed to report that Anwar is recovering well and has now been discharged from hospital. Officers from the Metropolitan police visited Sylhet soon after the event in order to assist the Bangladeshi police with the investigation, which is still on-going. We are very grateful to the Bangladeshi authorities for the support we have received, and will, of course, be following the progress of the investigation closely.
§ Mr. DismoreTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the assassination of Bangladesh member of parliament Ahsanullah Master. [178189]
§ Mr. Mike O'BrienWe noted with concern the murder on 7 May of Ahsanullah Master MP. We understand that a police investigation has been launched, and urge the Bangladeshi authorities to make every effort to bring those responsible to justice. We also urge the main political parties in Bangladesh not to let this assassination worsen their relationship. We encourage all parties to adopt a constructive approach and work together to help Bangladesh to address the challenges that it faces.