Yesterday in Parliament, Anne Main MP chaired a meeting of the all-party group on Bangladesh to discuss recent issues in the country. The APPG hosted Mark Field MP, Minister in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office who’s brief including Bangladesh.

Mrs Main, as chair of the Bangladesh APPG, wanted the Minister to give an update to the group on the latest work being carried out by the FCO on Bangladesh. Pressing issues such as the recent election was discussed at length by the group. The ruling Awami League party won close to 100% of the vote in what has been widely viewed as not a free and fair election. Other members of the group shared their frustrations and concerns with the apparent backward step in democratic freedom in the country. The group also discussed the recent troubles that garment factory workers have had in the country and the UK government’s longer term planning for the Rohingya refugee crisis.

Following the meeting, Mrs Main said:

“The Minister, as a former member of the APPG on Bangladesh, has always been incredibly committed to improving the lives of Bangladeshis in every way the Foreign Office can and I am always grateful for him coming to our meetings to hear our views. This is obviously a very worrying time for those of us who observe Bangladeshi politics. As I said before the election, a fundamental aspect of a free and prosperous country is the holding of open, transparent and fair elections. I was very concerned at the reports from election observers who witnessed clear abuses of democratic freedom during the campaign and on polling day there. This is something I hope the FCO will continue to press their Bangladeshi counterparts on.

“I hope the Minister appreciated the strength of feeling that there is in our group and across the House on issues relating to Bangladesh. This must continue to remain a priority country for the FCO and I hope we see big improvements in Bangladesh for the people who live there.”