Joint statement by 13 foreign missions and US State Department briefing: Not every interference in Bangladesh's internal affairs makes sense

The government has expressed displeasure with the joint statement of 13 foreign missions condemning the attack on Hero Alam, an independent candidate in the Dhaka-17 by-election. Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Shahriar Alam briefed the diplomats at the Rashtriya Guest House Padma on Wednesday (July 26). He said this while talking to reporters at the Foreign Service Academy later in the afternoon. He said, “We have expressed our dissatisfaction. I hope they will realize that their joint statement was presented prematurely, out of step with the flow of events, and they will refrain from such undiplomatic behavior in the future."

He said they advised diplomats to be constructive by reminding them of the Vienna Convention.

Shahriar Alam said diplomats were warned that avoiding the government and behaving "without objectivity, neutrality and neutrality" would only create a crisis of mutual trust.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has invited ambassadors or high commissioners of 13 foreign missions who recently issued a joint statement after a candidate was assaulted in the Dhaka-17 constituency by-election.

The joint statement was signed by the embassies/high commissions of Canada, Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, the United States and the European Union.

The United States Ministry of Foreign Affairs has responded to the issue of summoning 13 foreign ambassadors assigned to Bangladesh to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs yesterday. A journalist raised this issue before spokesperson Vedanta Patel in a regular briefing. In response, Patel said that Bangladesh and the United States are working together to achieve the goal of a free and fair election. We have always highlighted this issue. It is an important aspect of our bilateral relationship.

That journalist wants to know from Vedant Patel - If I look at the media reports of Bangladesh, I will see that the attack on an independent candidate in the Dhaka-17 seat by-election has been condemned by the heads of 13 foreign missions, including the United States, the United Kingdom, and the European Union. For this they were summoned to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Earlier on July 20, the resident coordinator was summoned. You are calling for free and fair elections. Western allies and development partners are also demanding free and fair elections. But the government is going the other way. They are summoning the diplomats posted in Dhaka. What are your comments and reactions to this?

  In response to this question, Vedanta Patel said, we have clearly said that there is no place for political violence in democracy. We have also made it clear that the United States does not support any political party. We support achieving the goal of a free, fair and peaceful election in Bangladesh. For this, the United States and Bangladesh are always giving importance to working together. This is an important aspect of our bilateral relationship. We believe free and fair elections are a shared priority. Many officials of the Bangladesh government, including Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, have said that this is their goal too. ok So it doesn't make sense to be so snotty about everything. The work of the United States is just greed.

One after another killing of Bangladeshis in USA: The way Bangladeshi citizens are being killed in the USA and after each killing the US ambassador to Bangladesh is giving empty words of condolences to the families of the victims, the big question is how long Bangladesh will be a victim of US interests. Extrajudicial killings have become an almost daily occurrence in the United States. We constantly read in the newspapers about gunmen attacking the US with cheeky anecdotes about 'champions of democracy and human rights'. In the first six months of 2023, there were 28 gun attacks and 140 extrajudicial killings in the United States, according to data from a joint research-archive by the news agency AP, USA Today and Northeastern University in Boston. It is time for the United States to focus on improving its own internal law and order rather than others.

On July 17, by-elections for Dhaka-17 constituencies were held. A candidate named Ashraful Alam (Hero Alam) was beaten up by some people while visiting a polling station in Banani on the election day. This is a heinous crime and of course we condemn it. No one can attack an election candidate or even a common voter. We know the attackers have been arrested and action will be taken against them as per law.

What is the reason for the attack on him? It is important to find out the motive of this attack. Not only should the attackers be brought to justice, but those involved in the instigation should also be punished. Either way, every eligible citizen of Bangladesh, regardless of their political affiliation or social background, should have the right to participate in the democratic process without fear. And it is the government's responsibility to ensure that.

The country has the necessary laws. The culprits will be punished according to that law. No one is above the law. The government is not at all indifferent in this regard. But the statement of the foreign diplomatic mission in Bangladesh about that incident is definitely a violation of diplomatic norms. And they made a statement in a group. A journalist defined it as a 12-party alliance. Just like in our country or neighboring India, where political parties form alliances for elections or political programs. I don't know if foreign embassies in other countries have a history of forming such alliances. If not, why are they doing it in Bangladesh and not in Pakistan, Nepal or Sri Lanka? Is it something to pressure Bangladesh for other reasons? Some analysts say, they are pressing considering the geopolitical importance of Bangladesh. They easily see the engagement of China and Russia in the South Asian region. The Russia-Ukraine war situation and China's moves may worry them about Bangladeshi involvement, even though Bangladesh has excellent relations with those countries.

Apart from our foreign minister, some other ministers spoke about this statement. Expressing outrage at the statement, the foreign minister raised a reasonable question - when they are gunned down in their country, do diplomats stationed there have a say? He further told the media that such statements are not acceptable and it is time to stop it.

I would like to quote Article 41.1 of the Vienna Convention of 1961 which states, "Without prejudice to their privileges and immunities, it is the duty of all persons enjoying such privileges and immunities to respect the laws and regulations of receiving States. They also have the duty not to interfere in the internal affairs of that State." Ambassadors working in Bangladesh enjoy full privileges and immunities mentioned in the Vienna Convention but why are they violating Article-41? Do they think they can interfere in the internal affairs of Bangladesh at will? Bangladesh is an independent and sovereign state. The preamble of the Vienna Convention states that an international convention on diplomatic relations, privileges and immunities will contribute to the development of friendly relations between countries irrespective of their different constitutional and social systems. If they concentrate on their duties, it will be good for them as well as the people of this country.

The first task of foreign diplomats working in Bangladesh is to strengthen and improve Bangladesh's bilateral relations with their country. In this regard, the preservation of mutual interests and cooperation and support in the international field should be given importance. Just as they need to understand the people and politics of this country, they also need to know the social system of this country. They have to remember that they come from different states and socio-economic backgrounds. It would not be appropriate for them to do anything that creates misunderstanding between the two countries. There is nothing wrong if they come forward with their suggestions to contribute to our development and welfare activities. However, it should be done in a friendly atmosphere, not with any efficient attitudes.

Our political parties always have some overzealous people or activists. They always indulge in undesirable activities which ultimately harm the team. Our political parties will pay the price if they are not careful about them. Tolerance is very important in politics. It is natural to have differences in political philosophies. Because of this there are many political parties in the country. But everyone should have a common philosophy about patriotism. Compromise in this case will never bring the good of the country. Otherwise, foreigners will not stop poking their noses into our internal affairs.

Written By: Pathik Hasan

Pathik Hasan, is a Dhaka based security and strategic affairs analyst

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