'All political parties should compete': Motion in UK parliament calls for 'free, fair' polls in Bangladesh

Key Highlights

• One of the key aspects of the motion was the fact that the British MPs insisted that all parties in Bangladesh should be allowed to contest in the polls. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD“That this House condemns the recent violence in Bangladesh and urges the Government to ensure free, fair and inclusive elections are called in which all political parties should be allowed to compete; and notes that those who are guilty should be prosecuted under fair trial and ensuring minorities’ rights should be protected,” the motion read. More from World Bangladesh at a crossroads: Between street unrest and a soft state Mob sets Bangla cultural group Udichi Shilpigosthi’s office on fire in DhakaWhy it mattersIt is pertinent to note that the UK MPs have been calling for inclusivity in Bangladesh elections at a time when the erstwhile ruling party, Awami League, has been banned from contesting in the polls.
• Awami League was put to the site following the violent July protests that toppled the government of former Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. The British parliamentarians also called for fair trials and the protection of minority rights.
• Last month, Hasina was sentenced to death by Bangladesh’s International Crimes Tribunal (ICT), after she was convicted of committing crimes against humanity. Hasina and her supporters called the trial unfair, describing ICT as a “Kangaroo court”.
• While Bangladesh is calling for her extradition from India, Hasina said that her case should be tried in the International Criminal Court. Since Hasina left the office, the minorities in Bangladesh have been facing persecution from radicals operating in the country.
• Last week, a Hindu man was mob lynched after he was accused of committing blasphemy.