Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what discussions he has had with his Bangladeshi counterparts on the safety of journalists.

The UK recognises the fundamental value of journalism in creating free and open societies, enabling people to learn about and understand their rights and holding governments to account. The British High Commission in Bangladesh regularly meet with journalists through the UK Government's engagement with the Media Freedom Coalition. The UK works with partners in the Media Freedom Coalition to advocate for media freedom and the safety of journalists. The UK raised protection of journalists and media freedom during the 44th Universal Periodic Review of Bangladesh in November 2023.