NN Online:
Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus on Sunday conveyed to UK Minister for the Indo-Pacific Catherine West that the reform initiatives are aimed at ensuring “free and fair” elections in the country and to break away from the “rampant vote rigging” practiced by the previous regime.
During the meeting at the State Guest House Jamuna in Dhaka, Prof Yunus described his government’s reform initiatives to fix the country’s key institutions and the election commission, reports UNB.
Minister West backed the reforms, saying Britain would like to see vibrant debates on the key aspects of electoral, judiciary and constitutional reforms. “Debates are very important.”
She said her government would extend “full support” to Bangladesh, including in its efforts to bring back billions of dollars of laundered money, according to the Chief Adviser’s press wing.
“It is important to let you know that you’ve got our support,” Catherine West said.
The British minister said the United Kingdom would also extend its support to Dhaka’s efforts to bring back tens of billions of dollars siphoned off abroad during Sheikh Hasina’s nearly 16-year-long rule.
Yunus thanked her, saying that returning money laundered by corrupt politicians, oligarchs and bureaucrats is a top priority of the interim government.
He quoted a recent Transparency International Bangladesh report, saying that annually more than $12 billion were siphoned off abroad.
The minister announced £10.3 million of UK grant support to provide essential services and assistance to the Rohingya refugees, the host communities and those affected by natural disasters in Bangladesh.
Prof Yunus reiterated his call for an “UN-overseen safe zone” for communities in Myanmar’s violence-plagued Rakhine so that they don’t have to flee across the border to Bangladesh and charities and aid groups can take food and assistance at the doorsteps of the displaced people.
During the meeting, they also discussed geopolitical issues, minority rights, ties with South Asian neighbours, and Bangladesh’s recent 40 megawatt energy deal with Nepal.
Yunus said his government has fully backed the creation of a South Asia electricity grid to bring power from hydroelectricity-rich Nepal and Bhutan.
He said Bangladesh can ease off its reliance on fossil fuels if it can import renewable energy from the two Himalayan countries. He said Bangladesh needs collaboration with India to this effect.
During the meeting, Sarah Cook, the British high commissioner to Dhaka, said a UK medical team arrived in the country this month to treat students and other demonstrators who were critically injured during the July-August mass uprising.
“They are conducting three surgeries a day,” she said.