Visiting UK minister Desmond Swayne briefs newsmen on TuesdayThe United Kingdom maintains that the reported extra-judicial killings in Bangladesh cannot be tolerated for the sake of democracy.
Desmond Swayne, the UK minister for international development, reiterated the UK’s position while addressing the media at the British High Commission Staff Club on Tuesday.
“I’m not in a position to make any judgement on the basis of a three-day visit. All I can say is that it is essential that those crimes are investigated and the perpetrators are brought to justice,” he said.
The UK minister mentioned that Bangladesh is a democracy and “it is essential that democratic values should be preserved and maintained.”
“And that you can’t tolerate extra judicial killing,” Swayne insisted.
He made it clear that it is for the government and the police of Bangladesh to ensure that those crimes are investigated and pursued.
With respect to the arrest of a British national, he said, “It’s a fact that there are wicked people in the UK as well. It is right that the police should pursue the investigation wherever the evidence leads and if it is UK citizen who is responsible for these crimes then he should be held to account for it.”
He, however, said his understanding is that the individual in question has been arrested as the mastermind rather than actual individual.
“That does not preclude him having been taken into custody irrespective of what time it was committed. That’s a huge speculation on my part,” he added.
As for concern about freedom of speech, the UK minister said, “That’s part of the new SDGs (sustainable development goals). We want a peaceful society with strong civil society, strong institutions which of course include the press able and able to hold the government to account.”
“But,” he added, “It is not for me to lecture you how and tell you how to achieve that. This is your country and your democracy and your politicians and you sort it.”
He said the Bangladeshis themselves have to find a solution to their issues.
Source: Prothom Alo
