Bangladesh hosts 58 embassies, high commissions and consulates, and 13 international agencies, and arranges round-the-clock deployment of police members for the security of the officials, residences and other infrastructures in Dhaka and elsewhere in line with the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations of 1961.
Of the entities, the government has deployed 117 police members at the US embassy and residences in Dhaka, 39 for its diplomats, and two gunmen for the ambassador.
On the other hand, 48 police members are given for the Saudi Arabian embassy, clubs and residences, 47 for the Indian High Commission, and 39 for the British High Commission.
Tight security
Every envoy stationed in Bangladesh is provided with a gunman. Apart from that, they are also given police protection in most places, including their homes and embassies to ensure full-proof security as per the Vienna Convention, the Foreign Ministry says.
During their travel outside Dhaka, the district or range police units are ordered to provide adequate security to the envoys' convoys.
There are police checkposts at the entry points of Gulshan and Baridhara diplomatic zones as well as on the streets in front of some embassies and high commission offices.
Usually, regular traffic and movement of commoners are restricted on the streets during the entry or departure of the top officials of the embassies and international agencies from offices and residences. One or more individuals roaming around in close vicinity of an embassy or high commission is also seen suspiciously.
Top officials of the embassies and high commissions usually use SUVs that carry flag stands and honk like police cars. The government provides unique yellow number plates for these vehicles.
Police escorts
Bangladesh usually provides police escorts to any of the heads of the missions on demand during their movements.
Apart from regular police deployment at the infrastructures and gunmen with the ambassadors, several countries were given an additional facility -- five to eight extra personnel as escorts when the envoys travel -- in 2016, as mentioned by State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shahriar Alam.
Under this special arrangement, eight police members used to stay in two cars with the US ambassador's convoy, seven each for the UK and Indian envoys and five for the Saudia Arabia ambassador.
On May 15, the government withdrew the facility enjoyed by the envoys and announced that it has established a special unit or Protection Guard Regiment under the Ansar force to provide security in exchange for money for foreign diplomats and embassies operating in Bangladesh. Individuals seeking this service must submit a written application to the Foreign Ministry.
Since the privilege was granted to them unofficially, it is not obligatory for us to formally inform them about its withdrawal, the state minister said. However, embassies and police were informed of the decision through a letter from the Foreign Ministry a week ago.
In 2016, nearly two dozen people, mostly foreign nationals, were brutally killed by members of a militant group linked to the Islamic State at the Holey Artisan Bakery in Gulshan area.
The additional security was granted unofficially under special considerations and no related documents were found anywhere, according to Shahriar Alam.
Officials from Bangladesh embassies all over the world, and other stationed officials do not receive security provided by the host countries' leading police officials, nor do they receive any additional security at their residences or offices, he says.
Several former ambassadors said the special arrangement for the envoys of the US, the UK and India began at least 30 years ago. Saudi Arabia's name was included sometime later.
Foreign Ministry officials said they took the decision as the situation has improved and to ensure equal treatment to all the 58 foreign offices in Bangladesh. Recently, many other foreign embassies have sought such 24-hour free escort service from the ministry.
There are no rules for providing any additional protocols for diplomats in Bangladesh, not even for ministers or state ministers, Shahriar Alam said on Monday.
He noted that the Bangladesh government follows internationally recognized rules and widespread practices around the world when it comes to giving protection to diplomats.
What does the Vienna Convention say?
The Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations was agreed upon by the State Parties believing that an international convention on diplomatic intercourse, privileges and immunities would contribute to the development of friendly relations among nations, irrespective of their differing constitutional and social systems.
According to Article 22 of the convention, the premises of the mission shall be inviolable. The agents of the receiving State may not enter them, except with the consent of the head of the mission.
The receiving State is under a special duty to take all appropriate steps to protect the premises of the mission against any intrusion or damage and to prevent any disturbance of the peace of the mission or impairment of its dignity. Moreover, the premises of the mission, their furnishings and other property thereon and the means of transport of the mission shall be immune from search, requisition, attachment or execution.
Article 26 states that Subject to its laws and regulations concerning zones entry into which is prohibited or regulated for reasons of national security, the receiving State shall ensure to all members of the mission freedom of movement and travel in its territory.
Extremely irresponsible, says BNP
On May 16, the day the matter came to light, BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir termed extremely irresponsible the government's move to withdraw the additional police escorts, saying it may weaken the country's international relations.
“I think there are two things--extreme irresponsibility and arrogance-- behind the decision to withdraw the additional security escorts for the six ambassadors and high commissioners,” he said at a press briefing. He feared that the government's such decision can invite international problems and the people of Bangladesh will be the ultimate victims. “So, I consider this decision nothing but irresponsible.”
“The abrupt cancellation of that protocol means something is very wrong with these countries. There's no doubt that it will damage the international relations of Bangladesh… The people of Bangladesh have to suffer the consequences or after-effects of this decision,” Fakhrul warned.
On this point, Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen on Tuesday said the withdrawal of additional police escort services would not affect Bangladesh's bilateral relations with the four countries.
It is a protocol issue. Many substantive elements are involved in bilateral relations, he said. “The decision does not violate the Vienna Convention, as the Bangladesh government is keeping regular security measures for foreign envoys and missions unchanged.”
Security threats
Since independence, the attack on then-UK envoy Anwar Choudhury was the first such incident against a diplomat in Bangladesh on May 21, 2004. Later, two other incidents of chase were reported in the last few years.
The newly appointed high commissioner, a British citizen of Bangladeshi origin, and his bodyguard were praying at the shrine of Hazrat Shahjalal in Sylhet when grenades went off, killing three and injuring the envoy. Three militants were convicted and sentenced to death in 2008 and were executed in 2017.
On August 4, 2018, US envoy Marcia Barnicat's convoy was chased near the Iqbal Road residence of NGO worker Badiul Alam Majumder, according to the police. The attackers also threw brick chips at the envoy's car. A Dhaka court has ordered further investigation into the case.
On December 14, 2022, US Ambassador to Bangladesh Peter Haas was forced to cut short his visit to the residence of Sanjida Islam, the coordinator of Mayer Dak -- an organization of relatives of missing persons, in Shaheen Bagh of the capital. In response, the US envoy hurriedly left the area with a police escort.