US highlights security of their diplomats following Vienna Convention

Staff Reporter:
Quoting the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, the United States said that host countries must ensure the protection of their foreign diplomats and take necessary measures to prevent any attacks on them.

The remarks came just after a day following Bangladesh government’s decision to withdraw additional police protocol necessary for the protection of the diplomats stationed in Dhaka whenever they move across the country.

The White House Spokesperson Vedant Patel told this to the journalists at a press briefing on May 15 when he was asked about the Bangladesh government’s steps to withdraw additional security personnel for the envoys.

Meanwhile, Bangladesh’s Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen on Tuesday said that the government will offer the services of the Ansar – a paramilitary auxiliary force – to the foreign missions in Dhaka as alternatives as the withdrawal of “additional escort services” for four diplomats came into effect.

A journalist asked White House Spokesperson Vedant Patel that the Bangladesh authority withdraws additional security to envoys, including U.S. and UK. The Bangladesh Foreign Minister told reporters that they will not give any additional security to the diplomats of the US and the UK and others, around six countries.
In response to the question, Patel said, “I’m not going to get into the specifics about security details concerning the US embassy or its personnel. But I will note that as per the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, any host country must uphold its obligations to ensure the protection of all diplomatic mission premises and personnel and take all appropriate steps to prevent any attack on personnel.”

Though Patel did not specifically comment on the security details concerning the US embassy or its personnel, he emphasised that the safety and security of diplomatic personnel and facilities are of utmost importance.

“The safety and security of our diplomatic personnel and facilities are of the utmost importance,” he said.

Earlier, the government of Bangladesh told the media if the diplomats want to take additional force the envoys have to hire them for their additional protection.
In reply to another query of Bangladesh election, Patel said, “Our hope for any election taking place around the world is that they are free and fair and accessible, but beyond that I have nothing else to offer insight on when it comes to political parties or candidates or anything like that.”

He was also asked whether the US would continue to engage with Bangladesh in counterterrorism and if Biden administration has any new plan regarding lifting the sanction on Rapid Action Battalion.

The White House spokesperson said, “I don’t have any new policy to announce. No new news on any sanctions or anything like that.”
About the US-Bangladesh relation, he said, “Last year our two countries celebrated 50 years of diplomatic relations. And what we’re looking forward to is deepening that relationship and deepening our cooperation with Bangladesh on a number of key issues regardless of political party or candidates or anything like that.”
However, Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen on Tuesday said, ‘If they want it, they can get it in exchange for payment. We won’t provide this extra (security) escort service with taxpayers’ money.’

‘In developed countries, no government provides such extra facilities,’ Momen said.
The minister said that there had been no deterioration of the law and order situation that such service is required.
On the other hand, talking to reporters, the Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen said they are likely to hold a meeting with the director general of the Ansar on Wednesday to know about the facilities they can offer and build a connection with those missions who are willing to take this service.

“We will talk to Ansar and will let the missions know officially,” Masud Momen said, adding that additional escort was mainly used for traffic clearance purposes.
Responding to a question, the foreign secretary said the government is aware of the responsibilities as a host country under the Vienna Convention and regular security measures for foreign missions and their personnel remain unchanged.