Ambassadors of different countries, including the US, the UK and India, posted in Bangladesh will no longer receive additional protocol privileges from now.
The special protocol had been in place since the 2016 Holey Artisan Attack in Dhaka's Gulshan.
The government took the decision to withdraw the additional protocol privileges on Sunday, Dhaka Police Commissioner Khandker Golam Faruq told the media on Monday.
Embassies and police were informed of the decision through a letter from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs a week ago.
Speaking to Dhaka Tribune on Monday evening, State Minister for Foreign Affairs Md Shahriar Alam said: “We are not getting extra protocol, are we? Actually, there are no rules for extra protocol for anyone here. However, after the Gulshan attack, some of the diplomats working in Dhaka used to get extra protocol for security reasons. Now we are reassessing the situation,” clarified Shahriar, who was in his car without protocol in front of the Ganabhaban gate.
In this regard, Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen said that the extra privileges of all ambassadors have been withdrawn, as no one gives such benefits in developed countries.
“Apart from this, the law and order in Bangladesh is not so bad that people would be shot dead in the streets or in shopping malls. There is no such situation in Bangladesh,” the minister added.
“We have decided that if anyone wants this privilege, she or he can hire it for money, and it is something available in other countries too."
Momen also said that ambassadors do not travel with flags on their vehicles in a developed country like the US, the UK or any European country.
“We are thinking whether we will also withdraw this protocol,” added the minister.
