The alleged harassment and assault of Bangladeshi actress Azmeri Haque Badhon in Venice, Italy, was raised in parliament on Tuesday, with lawmakers demanding strict action against those responsible.
State Minister for Foreign Affairs Humaiun Kobir said the government would notify Italian law enforcement authorities of the incident, seek action against those involved and ensure the actress receives the highest level of consular assistance.
The third session of the 13th National Parliament began at 3:30pm on Tuesday, with Deputy Speaker Barrister Barrister Kayser Kamal in the chair. The incident was later discussed under a point of order.
Rangpur-4 MP Akhter Hossain, speaking under the point of order, said a well-known Bangladeshi actress had been attacked abroad, allegedly because of her participation in the July uprising.
He alleged that Awami League and Bangladesh Chhatra League activists had repeatedly harassed and attacked BNP, Jamaat and other political activists, as well as ordinary Bangladeshis, when they travelled abroad. They had also been threatened, he said.
Sharing his own experience, Akhter said he had faced a similar attack while travelling to the United States to attend a UN programme.
He asked what measures the government planned to take to bring those responsible for attacks and harassment of Bangladeshis abroad to justice and whether it would take firm action against them.
The deputy speaker said another MP had raised the same issue and invited the foreign affairs state minister to respond.
Attack on a July fighter is an attack on democratic governance
In response, State Minister Humaiun Kobir said it was his first address to parliament. He began by paying tribute to those who lost their lives in the July movement for the restoration of democracy and expressing respect for those injured.
Describing the incident, Kobir said Badhon was in a park in Venice with her brother, sister-in-law and nephew on the evening of September 7 when supporters of the ousted Awami League allegedly attacked her.
“An attack on a July fighter is an attack on the democratic governance of this country,” Kobir said.
He said he had spoken to the foreign secretary that morning and conveyed the government’s concerns, while ordering the strongest possible measures to ensure that Italian police were informed of the incident and that Badhon received the highest level of consular assistance.
Kobir said local police had been informed of the incident following the prime minister’s instructions. The Bangladesh Embassy in Rome and the Bangladesh Consulate in Milan had also been directed to contact local police and provide necessary assistance.
The embassy would also contact Italy’s foreign ministry to convey the Bangladesh government’s position on the incident, he said.
He added that the embassy and consulate had been instructed to provide Badhon with all necessary consular assistance.
