Avoid political arrests to build more trust in elections: UK minister

Staff Reporter :
The UK’s Indo-Pacific Minister Anne-Marie Trevelyan has suggested that in order to build more confidence among other parties in elections, the ruling party should refrain from making politically motivated arrests, detentions, and legal cases.
During her keynote address at an event called “Bangladesh-UK Partnership in the Context of Indo-Pacific” held in the Foreign Service Academy on Sunday, Anne-Marie Trevelyan suggested that political parties should strive to engage in dialogue with one another and prevent acts of violence.
Highlighting the importance of credible elections, the UK minister welcomed the dedication of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in ensuring a fair and credible election.
“We welcome the decision of the international observer group to participate in the election. We hope that the Election Commission will keep their pledges.”
Regarding the Rohingya crisis in Myanmar, Trevelyan mentioned that the only solution to this problem is the safe and voluntary repatriation of the Rohingya to Myanmar.
“The global community, Bangladesh and Myanmar need to work together on this issue,” she stated.
She also assured that the UK government will keep continue the financial assistance for the Rohingyas.
Speaking in the event, State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shahriar Alam discussed Bangladesh’s strategy about the Indo-Pacific region.
He said that Bangladesh is not aligned with any military alliance in the Indo-Pacific Strategy.
During the event, Shahriar Alam drew the attention of Trevelyan to restart flights between Dhaka and London.
At the end of the discussion program, a climate change agreement was signed between Bangladesh and the United Kingdom.
Shahriar Alam and Trevelyan signed the agreement on behalf of their respective countries regarding climate change and the implementation of decisions made at COP-26 and COP-27.
Regarding the agreement, Shahriar Alam stated that through this agreement, the decisions made at COP-26 and COP-27 will be implemented by Bangladesh and the United Kingdom working together.
“It has been our long-standing demand that the decisions made regarding loss and damage be implemented, and Bangladesh and the United Kingdom will work together to make that happen,” he said.