Not any country, some groups campaigning against Bangladesh on minority issues: Foreign adviser

Some specific groups are conducting a global campaign against Bangladesh on minority issues, Foreign Affairs Adviser Md Touhid Hossain said today (2 December).

"Mostly some organisations are doing it, not any country. You all know about these organisations better than me," he said without mentioning any names in reply to a question from The Business Standard while talking to reporters.

The adviser was addressing a press briefing after a meeting with foreign diplomats stationed in Dhaka on current issues, especially on the minorities at State Guest House Padma.

He said the groups have "more reach" than the interim government. "They are trying to hit everywhere. There is no doubt that they have more reach. We have talked about the global campaign in the briefing [with foreign diplomats].

"We have to accept that they have more reach than us. We must tackle them," said Touhid.

He alleged that these campaigners have influenced the Commonwealth All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) to publish a report recently, detailing the aftermath of Bangladesh's political turmoil following the fall of Sheikh Hasina's government on 5 August.

The report claimed Bangladesh's minority communities have faced the brunt of the violence, with the Hindu, Buddhist, and Christian populations suffering attacks on their places of worship, homes, and businesses. Between 4 and 20 August, over 2,000 incidents of violence were reported, affecting thousands of families. The APPG documented 69 cases of temple vandalism, 915 home attacks, and multiple instances of rape.

"We will talk to Britain about the report. They have published a one-sided report," said Touhid.

Noting that the report evaluated the last four general elections on the same level, he said, "They did not mention a word about the standards of the elections. Some 1,500 people were killed [in the July-August uprising], but they did not write a word about this.

"Most importantly, they did not even inform our embassy about the report."

The adviser said he has found out that the APPG has more members from the last ruling party of the UK. "They have more influence on the parliament."

He said the interim government is countering the global campaign against Bangladesh. "We are definitely trying. We have more plans and programmes in this regard," he said in response to a question from TBS.

What did foreign diplomats wanted to know

Adviser Touhid said the diplomats wanted to know about various matters apart from the minority issue.

"They asked and I gave them a comprehensive briefing. I have never tried to say that there is no problem [in Bangladesh] at all. There is no reason to believe that. We have problems and we are trying to solve them," he said.

"We are succeeding in many cases and have asked for cooperation from all. I think they are convinced," he added.

Touhid also addressed remarks by West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee where she urged the central Indian government to seek the deployment of a peacekeeping mission by the Union Nations in Bangladesh to tackle the ongoing situation.

"We want to see Mamata's comment as only her comment. We are not sure why she made that comment," he said.

"I know about her electorate. I lived in Kolkata for a long time. I know her personally. I even visited her home. Hence, I personally think, politically, this was not the right move for her. West Bengal's politics might not be favourable to her stance. But that's my opinion. She certainly thinks it will be favourable for her," he observed.

Bangladesh wants to see a friendly and normal relationship with India, he stressed.