Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment he has made of the potential implications for his Department's policies of the (a) arrests and (b) detention of (i) student leaders and (ii) protest participants in Bangladesh.

The Foreign Secretary and I have raised concerns publicly and privately about the recent unprecedented levels of violence, and tragic loss of life in Bangladesh. In July, I spoke to the Bangladesh High Commissioner to reiterate our concerns about the events unfolding in Bangladesh. In our public statements, we urged for an end to the violence and a de-escalation of the situation to prevent further loss of life. We were clear that a full and independent UN-led investigation into recent events was important. The UK Government welcomed the appointment of the Interim Government in Bangladesh, and it has the UK's support as it works to restore peace and order as well as ensure accountability.