§ Mr. HancockTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the level of protection afforded by the Government of Bangladesh to the Ahmadiyya Muslim community in Bangladesh. [176437]
§ Mr. Mike O'BrienFollowing reports of attacks against members of the Ahmadiyya community in Bangladesh last year, we made a number of representations to the Bangladeshi authorities asking them to ensure the Ahmadiyyas were given necessary protection and that the perpetrators of attacks are brought to justice. The Bangladeshi Government has accepted that there is a problem. However we remain concerned about the position of the Ahmadiyyas in Bangladesh. Our High Commissioner in Dhaka raised the issue during his introductory call on the Foreign Minister on 19 May. We will continue to monitor the situation closely and make representations when appropriate.