Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether he has had discussions with his counterpart in Bangladesh on (a) ending violence and unrest and (b) ensuring that (i) the right to peacefully protest is upheld and (ii) independent investigations will take place.

The Foreign Secretary and I have publicly called for an immediate end to the violence and unrest in Bangladesh, and for all sides to find a peaceful way forward. I discussed the situation with the Bangladesh High Commissioner to London on 19 and 23 July and stressed the need for democratic freedoms and the rule of law to be protected. The British High Commissioner to Bangladesh has engaged with Bangladesh government ministers reinforcing messages on de-escalation and the need for constructive dialogue to reduce tensions. We are monitoring the situation closely and will continue to engage with counterparts.