The statement made by foreign missions in Dhaka over the attack on a candidate of Dhaka-17 by-election is clear violation of the Vienna Convention, said Information and Broadcasting Minister Dr Hasan Mahmud on Thursday (July 20, 2023).He said this while replying to questions from journalists after unveiling the cover of a book on Bangabandhu published by the Press Institute of Bangladesh (PIB) at the secretariat. Also read: Assault on Hero Alam: Foreign missions in Dhaka call for investigation, accountability of perpetrators"Ambassadors are behaving like political parties. I would ask them to abide by the Vienna Convention. At the same time, it is clear from Mirza Fakhrul's statement that they want to politics of violence, which they have already started. However, the government will prevent them with a strong hand," said Hasan."When there is violence in India or Pakistan or in any other neighboring country, ambassadors do not issue statements like this. Why are statements are being made like this in our country?" he asked. Also read: Will investigate if any police negligence led to assault on Hero Alom: Home Minister "They are actually being provoked by some of our politicians and some in civil society members. So before blaming the ambassadors, I think the people who provoke them are responsible for that."However, the ambassadors must comply with the Vienna Convention," Hasan added. Earlier, foreign missions in Dhaka called for a full investigation and accountability of the perpetrators involved in the assault on Hero Alam. In a joint statement, the foreign missions said, “We condemn the July 17 attack on Dhaka-17 constituency candidate Ashraful Alam, popularly known as Hero Alam. Violence has no place in the democratic process.” Also read: Amnesty International condemns attack on Hero Alom “Everyone involved in the upcoming elections should ensure that they are free, fair, and peaceful,” said the diplomatic missions in Dhaka. The joint statement was signed by the embassies/high commissions of Canada, Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom, United States and the delegation of the European Union.Hero Alam, an independent candidate contesting the Dhaka-17 by-election, was physically assaulted while leaving a polling centre in Banani area on July 17.

State Minister for Foreign Affairs Md Shahriar Alam on Tuesday said the government needed to inform foreign missions in Dhaka that there is no room for “misinformation” and “confusion” “It is nothing new. It falls within the normal diplomatic practice as we always do that and keep all informed when something major happens,” he told reporters, noting that BNP’s plan to create anarchy centering its December 10 rally “didn’t work”. Alam said BNP is spreading propaganda at home and abroad and they had chosen December 10 as major countries announced new sanctions on December 9. BNP tried to block major Dhaka streets from December 7, he added. Read more: Tension over Dec 10 rally: Momen says govt doesn’t want conflict, will maintain maximum restraint The government will not allow deliberate violence and vandalism that are threats to public security, the state minister said. He said BNP invested millions of dollars and pounds on lobbyists who assured the party that there will be more sanctions. “Centering this, they were in a celebratory mood and wanted to prove that the government does not have any friends,” Alam said. Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) offered BNP the permission to hold their public rally at the historic Suhrawardy Udyan that has enough space for a large gathering. Alam said that BNP did not accept the venue, as it did not go with their spirit, and they did not have the ability to bring people in large numbers. Read more: US Embassy issues alert for its citizens in Bangladesh He said politics is “not like a picnic” and it is not acceptable to block streets and disrupt public movement. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs on December 12 shared a “non-paper on recent political situation in Bangladesh” with all foreign missions and office of the UN Resident Coordinator in Dhaka. Assessing the possible implications on security, public safety, safety of properties, public mobility and overall law-and-order situation in the capital ahead of Victory Day on December 16, the historic Suhrawardy Udyan was offered.  “Presumably, BNP leaders wanted to make a political issue out of the venue. Their objective was to create anarchy on the busy public street as they did in 2014 and 2018 before the national elections,” the MoFA note reads. Read more: UN reminds Bangladesh of commitments to free expression, peaceful assembly It mentioned that the BNP wanted to take common people under hostage situations to make their unlawful demand. BNP plotted to use the constitutional right to peaceful assembly with unlawful and violent intentions, according to the document seen by UNB. According to police, cocktails were also found in the BNP party office. The circumstantial evidence shows that the actual plan of the BNP was to occupy the street forcefully and unlawfully three days prior to the scheduled public gathering, according to the MoFA document. Later BNP agreed on an alternative venue (Golapbagh Math) for their December 10 rally, and the meeting went peacefully without any major incident. “This reflects the government’s willingness and efforts to ensure freedom of expression and assembly,” reads the document.

Foreign Missions stationed in Dhaka have said they will continue to pursue a long-term solution to the Rohingya crisis and its causes. "Five years on, the international community stands resolute in solidarity in its support for Rohingya and Bangladesh," reads a joint statement by the Embassies and High Commissions in Dhaka on Thursday.  The signatories are Australian High Commission in Dhaka, British High Commission, High Commission of Canada, Embassy of Denmark, European Union Delegation to Bangladesh, Embassy of France, German Embassy, Embassy of Italy, Kingdom of the Netherlands Embassy, Royal Norwegian Embassy, Embassy of Spain, Embassy of Sweden, Embassy of Switzerland and Embassy of the United States of America in Bangladesh. The Foreign Missions in their joint statement said they will continue to work together with the Government of Bangladesh, the UN, and international and national partners, to ensure that Rohingya refugees receive humanitarian assistance, protection and education.  "We underline the importance of Rohingya’s ability to live safe, purposeful and dignified lives whilst they are in Bangladesh and support the efforts to prepare them for return to Myanmar, once conditions allow." The Missions said they also continue to support the local communities in Cox’s Bazar who are hosting the refugee population.  The countries reflect on the horrific events of August and September 2017 that forced around 800,000 Rohingya to flee from their homes in Myanmar to seek refuge in Bangladesh.  "We acknowledge the incredible resilience and courage of the Rohingya in the face of their displacement," said the statement.  The countries remain "deeply grateful" to the government of Bangladesh and people of Bangladesh for their generosity and continuing hosting of Rohingya refugees.  They continue to raise the plight of Rohingya on the international stage and seek a solution to the crisis that allows for the voluntary, safe, dignified and sustainable return of Rohingya to their communities in Rakhine State, Myanmar, as soon as conditions allow.  The Missions noted with concern the reports of escalating violence and serious human rights violations across Myanmar by the Myanmar military.  Read: Nearly 1 mn still await life at world's largest displacement camp "We call for an end of the culture of impunity in Myanmar and reiterate our commitment to international accountability initiatives for the terrible acts committed against Rohingya." Their countries have imposed sanctions on some individuals responsible for serious human rights violations against Rohingya.  "We will also continue to push for a solution to the political and humanitarian crisis in Myanmar caused by the military coup of February 2021, a solution which must be inclusive of Rohingya," said the Missions in their statement.    

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Wednesday accused the government of using Bangladesh embassies and high commissions abroad for conducting Awami League’s ’s (AL’s) propaganda. “It’s the responsibility of all embassies/missions under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to protect the interests of Bangladesh in different countries of the world. The state bears all the expenses of those missions with taxpayers’ money,” he said. READ: Revoke decision to hike in LPG prices: BNP Speaking at a press conference at the BNP chairperson’s Gulshan office, Fakhrul said these missions are being used against the interest of people in a shameless and unprofessional way. “These organisations are being used to spread lies and deceive people.” He alleged that Bangladesh mission in Washington distorted the statements of US Congressman and Chair of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs Gregory W Meeks who talked about the sanctions issue at a fundraising event in New York’s Queens area. "By distorting his (Meeks’) statement and creating a smokescreen in the local and foreign media, the Washington mission has not only deceived the conscious people, but also has utterly humiliated Bangladesh to the United States," the BNP leader said. He said Congressman Meeks himself has already rejected the press release of the Bangladesh Embassy and presented his statement in the international media, on his own website and on the website of the US the House Committee on Foreign Affairs. In the statement posted on the website of the US the House Committee on Foreign Affairs, Fakhrul said Meeks clearly backed the US sanctions on RAB and some of its current and former officials. “Meeks said he strongly supports the Biden administration's decision on the issue of human rights violation. He also said he’ll work to help Bangladesh address the human rights and democratic challenges, including ensuring that the next election is held in a free and fair manner.” Besides, Fakhrul said a press release was issued by Bangladesh’s embassy in Brussels on the basis of a private press conference where the statements have been presented like that of an active worker of Awami League. He said the press release was published in various media. “This is the proof of turning the embassy into a propaganda institution of the Awami League instead of the state. The BNP leader said these activities of the two embassies are the latest proof of the government’s ‘evil’ efforts to destroy the state institutions. READ: People to turn down search committee’s recommendations: BNP  Politicising Foreign Ministry Fakhrul alleged that the Foreign Ministry’s officials in different cities inhabited by Bangladeshi expatriates, including the Middle East, are behaving like the ruling party workers by regularly attending Awami League’s functions. "It has tarnished the image of the Foreign Ministry. Though the professional officers and employees have become angry over the matter, they’re being forced to remain silent.” He said though the Bangladesh embassy in Washington has already withdrawn the press release containing distorted comments of US Congressman Meeks, the Foreign Ministry still did not remove it from its website. “This is a digital document and shameless proof of how the Foreign Ministry has been politicised. These incidents are also exposing how the fascist government has turned entire state machinery into its weapons to hang onto power,” Fakhrul said. He urged the government to take steps for holding a credible election under a non-party neutral admiration to ensure people’s voting rights, shunning all evil efforts against the country and its people.

Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen on Wednesday said the authorities concerned will allow those to go to foreign missions in the city during lockdown considering the prior appointments including visa delivery issues. He said the Police Commissioner has been advised to allow the students or others to go to the missions to get their visas and complete their relevant works. “This is something which came up. Some of the students approached us. It has been resolved and a decision is taken,” Dr Momen told reporters after attending a programme at Foreign Service Academy. READ: S Asian nations should receive vaccines without any strings attached: FM Dr Momen and State Minister for Foreign Affairs Md Shahriar Alam also spoke at the function marking the launching of Foreign Service Debating Club. Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen was also present. READ: Govt. life-and-livelihood policy has worked well in fighting pandemic: FM The weeklong strict countrywide lockdown begins on July 1 and Dhaka Metropolitan Police said they are prepared to arrest anyone who will go out without emergencies during the strict lockdown.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Saturday sharply criticized the foreign missions in Dhaka that made Bangladesh nationals as ‘foreign election observers’ saying that they have done a very outrageous deed.

The government has asked foreign missions in Bangladesh not to include their local Bangladeshi employees in observer teams for Saturday’s Dhaka city elections.