Staff Reporter :
Three prominent anti-corruption organisations from Bangladesh and the United Kingdom (UK) have called on the UK government to intensify efforts to assist Bangladeshi authorities in recovering assets allegedly misappropriated during the previous Awami League administration.
The appeal coincides with the official state visit of Chief Adviser Mohammed Yunus to the UK.
The groups – Transparency International Bangladesh, Spotlight on Corruption, and Transparency International UK – issued a joint statement urging the UK government to impose targeted sanctions on members of Bangladesh’s elite suspected of involvement in serious corruption.
They also highlighted the urgent need for UK law enforcement agencies to escalate asset recovery operations relating to funds allegedly held within the UK.
Iftekharuzzaman, Executive Director of Transparency International Bangladesh, emphasised, “The UK must act swiftly to capitalise on this unique opportunity for democratic transition and strengthened governance in Bangladesh.”
He added, “Returning stolen wealth should be a cornerstone of the country’s ongoing anti-corruption reforms and send a clear message that money laundering will be effectively challenged in both the source and destination countries.”
Susan Hawley, Executive Director of Spotlight on Corruption, warned, “There is no time to lose for the UK government to introduce robust anti-corruption sanctions that ensure Bangladeshi assets linked to misappropriation and bribery are frozen both in the UK and its overseas territories.”
“This approach will provide law enforcement with the vital time needed to pursue investigations and recover these assets, sending a strong deterrent message that grand corruption will not be tolerated,” she added.
Duncan Hames, Director of Policy at Transparency International UK, called on the UK to “immediately investigate the £400 million worth of British properties linked to associates of Sheikh Hasina and seize any assets proven to be connected to corruption.”
“Swift and decisive action would demonstrate the UK’s genuine commitment to accountability and support Bangladesh’s pursuit of democratic renewal,” he said.
According to investigations by The Observer and Transparency International UK, at least £400 million worth of UK property is owned by allies of Bangladesh’s ruling party leader Sheikh Hasina. To date, the UK’s National Crime Agency (NCA) has frozen assets valued at £90 million.
Chief Adviser Yunus has pledged to eradicate corruption and recover billions stolen during Hasina’s 15-year tenure, which is estimated at £11 billion (approximately $16 billion) annually.
A white paper commissioned by Bangladesh’s interim government estimates that between 2009 and 2023, some $234 billion was illicitly transferred out of the country at an annual rate of $16 billion.
The British High Commissioner has pledged to support Bangladesh’s interim government in efforts to restore peace and uphold accountability, while the UK Foreign Secretary has declared that the “golden age of money laundering is over.”
