The British High Commissioner to Bangladesh Robert W Gibson said Britain would not turn a blind eye to countries that claim to have established rule of law but lacked independent judiciary as well as accountability and transparency in order to prevent abuse of state power.
“We will never turn a blind eye to countries which display democratic establishment but violate basic human rights,” he said while addressing the event “DCAB’s Talk” organised by the Diplomatic Correspondents Association Bangladesh (DCAB) at the National Press Club in the capital.
“We will not overlook human rights abuses wherever those take place. Arbitrary imprisonment, political and religious persecution or the denial of the rights of women or any individual, including those of the minorities, are unacceptable to us at any time in any place,” he added. According to the British envoy, the UK government needs strong institutions, responsible and accountable government, a free press, the rule of law, and equal rights for men and women.
He also expressed earlier observations of the UK government on the January 5 election in Bangladesh, saying: “Elections alone do not create a free and democratic society.”
