Bangladesh High Commissioner to the UK Saida Muna Tasneem on Monday said the battle is between secular and non-secular forces and asked the UK which side it stands with.
“We are pursuing the same values, fostering secular and inclusive societies. This battle is between secular and non-secular forces. To the United Kingdom, my message is which one do you choose?,” she asked during an event in the House of Lords’ Attlee and Reid Room.
The Study Circle London, Chaired by Syed Mozammel Ali, organized the event titled “Democracy and Human Rights in Bangladesh” on Monday, said a press release.
The event was chaired by Lord Daniel Hannan of Kingsclere, who described himself as a “twin of Bangladesh” and spoke of the many trade opportunities offered by the nation.
A cross-party group of leading politicians, as well as diplomats and community leaders, attended the talk.
Speakers included Dr Mizanur Rahman, former chair of the Human Rights Commission of Bangladesh, Dr Gowher Rizvi, international affairs advisor to Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, and Martyn Day MP.
Bangladesh’s High Commissioner to the UK Saida Muna Tasneem, emphasized the strong trade relationship between the UK and Bangladesh.
While speakers underlined the secular aspiration of Bangladesh’s founder, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, and the efforts undertaken by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to protect minorities, they acknowledged that this harmony was threatened by the efforts of some Islamist groups in the country to stoke communalist tensions and that there was a need to remain vigilant.
Keynote speaker Dr Mizanur Rahman, former chair of the Human Rights Commission in Bangladesh, said: “When opportunistic foreign powers bring extremism into the mainstream, that puts our democracy in peril. Let us join hands to prevent democracy from dying. Tell the people of Bangladesh that I come back home to say the United Kingdom is with us and stands by us.”
Dr Gowher Rizvi, international affairs advisor to the Prime Minister of Bangladesh Sheikh Hasina said: "I want to issue a reminder that there is a lot still wanting, but we are trying to achieve democracy and development. It is not one or the other.”
The meeting and prominent moment between Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak at the G20 Summit in New Delhi was noted.
The high commissioner was proud to note that this was the second meeting between the two leaders, who had also met earlier in the year at the Coronation of King Charles III.
Saida Muna Tasneem also noted that the recent Airbus agreement was of significant importance to the United Kingdom, as Airbus planes are equipped with British Rolls Royce engines.
The event was also attended by Timothy Loughton MP, representatives from the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), and well wishes were sent from many parliamentarians in support of the event.