Dhaka again urges foreign missions to abide by diplomatic norms

Bangladesh has again urged the foreign missions operating in the country to abide by the diplomatic etiquettes and norms that they themselves expect from foreign missions in their country to practise.

"The people will determine who will rule this nation. No external power or any internal conspiracy will determine who will run the nation," State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shahriar Alam said yesterday at an event organised by the foreign ministry on the occasion of International Human Rights Day.

"The Government of Bangladesh is patient and cordial to our foreign guests and is sincerely willing to maintain friendly relations to all nations, but we do have some red lines," he added.

He made the remarks in response to a joint statement released by 15 diplomatic missions in Dhaka on 6 December.

Fifteen foreign missions in Bangladesh, including those of the USA, the UK, the EU and Japan, reaffirmed the importance of adhering commitment to peaceful assembly and free, fair, inclusive, electoral processes in the spirit of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR).

"We celebrate the freedoms enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and reaffirm the importance of all UN member states adhering to their commitments to free expression, peaceful assembly, and elections, among others outlined in the Declaration," read the statement.

During yesterday's seminar at the Foreign Service Academy, the foreign diplomats of various countries including US and UK envoys were also present.

Shariar Alam said that the government is determined, against all provocations and misinformation, to ensure that the law-and-order remains stable, and the safety and security of the citizens remains intact.

"Apart from its ongoing sincere efforts to ensure all human rights for its citizens, Bangladesh as a responsible member of the United Nations is continuing to maintain close engagement with UN Human Rights Mechanism," he said

"Unfortunately, after 74 years of its (UDHR) adoption, the spirit of brotherhood is markedly absent in global discourse on human rights issues. Developing countries like Bangladesh are being targeted of undue pressure by a handful of countries from the North," he pointed out. 

He stressed that Bangladesh will prosper against all odds and said, "We are only committed and accountable to the people."

As the chair, Foreign minister Dr AK Abdul Momen said, "For the last many years, we have no terrorist activities and no fatality. Since, 2017, there has been no fatality due to terrorism."

Law minister Anisul Huq was the chief guest of the event attended by Kamal Uddin Ahmed, chairman of National Human Rights Commission, Ambassador Abdul Hannan and Human Rights Activist Rokeya Kabir among others.