British envoy calls for exercising restraint in holding free, fair, and peaceful polls

Centring the upcoming elections in Bangladesh, British High Commissioner Sarah Cooke reiterated the UK’s deep concern at the violence and loss of life seen on 28 October. 

She expressed the UK’s call for all stakeholders to exercise restraint, eschew violence and work together to create the conditions for free, fair, participatory, and peaceful elections.

The British envoy made the call during her meeting with Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan in Dhaka on Wednesday (1 Nov).

The wide-ranging discussion reflected the strength of the UK and Bangladesh’s modern economic, trade and security partnership, says the British High Commission.

The High Commissioner and Home Minister discussed next steps in enhancing bilateral security cooperation between the UK and Bangladesh, in line with commitments undertaken by both sides during the Fifth UK-Bangladesh Strategic Dialogue, which was held in Dhaka on 12 September 2023.

They agreed to hold the first UK-Bangladesh Joint Working Group discussion in mid-November to enhance bilateral migration and security cooperation.

The High Commissioner and Home Minister also discussed the UK’s development contribution to Bangladesh through its Access to Justice Programme which has worked to support poor and vulnerable people to have better access to the justice system, through paralegal services.