Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the human rights implications of the current political situation in Bangladesh; and what representations they have made to the government of Bangladesh over the number of court cases being brought against supporters of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party ahead of the upcoming elections.

A UK priority in Bangladesh is to support free, fair, peaceful and participatory elections in January 2024. Bangladesh remains an FCDO Human Rights Priority Country, and in July 2023 we published our latest assessment of human rights in the country. The UK regularly raises with the Government of Bangladesh, both in public and private, the importance of free and fair elections so that the people of Bangladesh can exercise their fundamental democratic rights. We also encourage the Government to end harassment and intimidation of civil society, the media and political opposition partners, including the Bangladesh National Party. On 11-12 September, the FCDO Permanent Under Secretary visited Bangladesh for the UK/Bangladesh Strategic Dialogue, where he will underline the need to respect human rights and fundamental freedoms.