Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment she has made of (a) respect for human rights and (b) the independence of the rule of law in Bangladesh in the past three months.

I met Prime Minister Rahman on 17 February and reinforced the UK's commitment to working with the Government of Bangladesh to advance democratic, economic and social reforms. I welcomed the peaceful and credible parliamentary elections held earlier that month as an important step forward for the country and its people. The UK continues to encourage the Bangladeshi authorities to work towards a sustainable and inclusive political settlement in the interests of all Bangladeshis, and to ensure that the rights and voices of minority groups and civil society are recognised within that process.