Foreign Ministry briefs diplomats about Oct 28 violence

Diplomatic Correspondent :
The Foreign Ministry held a briefing on Sunday, aiming to inform diplomats stationed in the capital about the recent violent clashes between the BNP and law enforcement agencies recently.

During the briefing, the Ministry outlined the actions taken by law enforcement personnel in the execution of their duties and also shed light on the activities of the BNP during their grand rally held in front of their party headquarters in Naya Paltan on October 28.

During the briefing at the State Guest House Jamuna in the capital, the diplomats did not pose any questions in response to the Ministry’s presentation.

Representatives from various international organisations, as well as foreign missions of countries such as the United States, India, China, the United Kingdom, Pakistan, South Korea, Turkey, Spain, Singapore, Canada, Germany, Italy, France, Russia, Japan, the Netherlands, Sweden, Switzerland, Brazil, Australia, Malaysia, the European Union, the United Nations, and IOM, were present in the briefing.

On the government side, Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen, Law Minister Anisul Haque, the Prime Minister’s foreign investment advisor Salman F. Rahman, State Minister for Foreign Affairs Md. Shahriar Alam, and Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen were present.

In a written statement, Dr Momen told the envoys, “You have already learned through print, electronic and social media about the killings of innocent citizen and law enforcement agent, arsoning, vandalism and violence by the BNP activists.

We are shocked at what unfolded on 28 October and yesterday.

We are not, however, surprised as we experienced BNP-Jamaat’s dreadful violence in the past. My only regret is that they have not changed much.”

The foreign minister also recalled BNP and its allies have a long history of violence and aggression.

“The motive behind terrorizing the nation and misguiding our people is to impede democratic processes and promote unconstitutional forces.

BNP’s tactics of fear and forgery did not work out before and they will not now,” he said.

He also reaffirmed government’s strong and unwavering stance to stick to the democratic process as mandated by the Constitution and hold free, fair and credible elections in time.

He said, “We will keep showing utmost patience and restraint, and at the same time our law enforcement agencies should also do everything under their disposal within the legal parameters to provide safety and security to our citizens, to maintain public order and to foil any attempt to destroy our private and public properties and to destabilise the country or to damage the democratic and constitutional processes,” he said.

In reply to a query what they said to the envoys, Dr Momen said, “We have invited the diplomats to convey what happened on Oct 28.”

Law Minister Anisul Haque said, “We have reiterated the commitment made by the Prime Minister regarding a free, fair, and impartial election.

The election will be conducted without any hindrance.

We invited diplomats to inquire if they had any questions, but they did not pose any questions during the briefing.”

Shahriar Alam said, “We have immediately shared the footage of all the events that occurred on the 28th, including the instant footage available on that day, with foreign missions.

Today, we have presented them with various documents and videos showing the incidents of violence.”

When asked about the statements made by foreign diplomats, Shahriar Alam responded, “Their expressions indicate that they were quite astonished when they observed these events.”

Regarding the election context, the State Minister mentioned, “To participate in the election, one must adhere to the current procedures that have been outlined in the Constitution.”