Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to support free and fair elections in Bangladesh.

The UK wants to see free, fair, participatory and peaceful elections in Bangladesh. I made this clear to the Government of Bangladesh when I met Prime Minister Hasina in October. We are concerned at the violence that has taken place at recent demonstrations and have called on all stakeholders, privately and publicly, to exercise restraint. The UK continues to stress to the Government of Bangladesh that respect for human rights, rule of law and access to justice are essential elements of the democratic process.