Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what recent assessment he has made of the political situation in Bangladesh.

Bangladesh is an important partner for the UK on a wide range of issues and is a fellow member of the Commonwealth. The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) makes regular assessments of the political situation in Bangladesh, including through the British High Commission in Dhaka.

Like the UK, Bangladesh has made some tough decisions to protect its people during the COVID-19 pandemic. Bangladesh is also generously hosting over 900,000 of Rohingya refugees from Myanmar. The UK remains a leading partner in the international response to the Rohingya crisis.

Bangladesh remains a human rights priority country for the FCO. Ministers, and our High Commission in Dhaka, frequently raise our human rights concerns with the Government of Bangladesh, including on freedom of expression.

The UK will continue to engage with the Government of Bangladesh on a broad range of issues and will support efforts towards a stable, prosperous and democratic Bangladesh.