Govt will ensure safety of foreign investments, uphold human rights: Adviser Touhid

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has reassured diplomats stationed in Dhaka about protection of foreign investments, safety and security of foreign nationals, and the government's commitment to upholding human rights. 

The affirmation came from Foreign Affairs Adviser Md Touhid Hossain during a diplomatic briefing at the state guesthouse Padma today, where ambassadors and high commissioners from various missions raised their concerns on several issues.

Talking to reporters, Touhid said the diplomats raised their concerns about the safety of their families and residences in the current political climate and "we assured them that more security will be provided within a few days after consulting with the home affairs adviser."

Regarding foreign investments in the country, he said, "We told them that they should not be disappointed. Security will be ensured so that their investments can be protected."

"The interim government will give particular attention to far-reaching financial sector reform, with priority attached to combating corruption, mismanagement and anomalies," he told diplomats during the closed-door briefing to envoys. 

The government urged all the development partners, including the multilateral development banks and other international financial institutions, to extend meaningful support to Bangladesh to help tide over the economic challenges. 

The government also called upon international trade and investment partners to maintain their trust in Bangladesh, and work in partnership with Bangladesh to help improve the labour sector, environmental standards and logistics efficiency, he said.

Some of the diplomats wanted to know about security measures and Rohingya issues apart from issues related to the prevailing situation.

"We seek continued support of the international community in Rohingya humanitarian operations and their sustainable repatriation," he said. 

Emerging from the briefing, one of the diplomats told news agency UNB that the main discussion was centred on the present situation of Bangladesh.

Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh Yao Wen termed the present condition of Bangladesh as its internal affair. 

"It is the internal affairs of Bangladesh," he said, adding that China welcomes the formation of the interim government and "will continue to work with Bangladesh."

Russian ambassador Aleksandr Mantytsky wished for the success of the new interim government of Bangladesh and said, "I hope the Russia-Bangladesh relationship will continue to flourish."

Human rights top priority of interim govt

After the briefing, Touhid told reporters, "Human rights is one of the concerns of the diplomats. We said we are working on eliminating discrimination in order to uphold human rights. Because, students protested against discrimination."

He conveyed to the diplomats that the interim government is very serious about human rights issues. The adviser referred to the inclusion of advisers who have track records of working on human rights issues.

He told diplomats that the interim government remains committed to promoting and protecting the fundamental rights and freedoms, including the right to peaceful assembly and freedom of expression. 

Referring to the recent student protest, he told diplomats, "You are all aware that Bangladesh witnessed a second liberation last week through a mass uprising spearheaded by valiant students. The then Awami League government, in their efforts to suppress the popular movement, committed gross human rights violations by abusing and misusing the state power." 

"However, the sheer force of 'people's power' added momentum to the movement leading to the fall of the authoritarian regime," he said. 

The interim government makes it a priority to ensure justice and accountability for all deaths and violences committed during the recent mass uprising through nationally-led, independent investigation and judicial processes, he added.

In the process, the government shall remain engaged with relevant international partners, including the UN, to avail itself of appropriate support for facilitating such processes in a sound and seamless manner, he further said.

Touhid said the government has taken quick and decisive measures to restore law and order and bring back normalcy. "It is pledge-bound to ensure safety and security of all religious and ethnic groups and will not tolerate any violence or intimidation against them," he added.

"We are working on creating an environment conducive to resumption of the full-fledged operations by the police force. The patriotic armed forces will continue to serve the nation with its hallmark responsibility as the situation warrants," he said.

"We remain mindful of the pressing demand for security sector reform," he added.

No reason for ties with India to get affected

Touhid Hossain said bilateral relations is a big thing and emphasised that the relations with India will remain unhurt even if former prime minister Sheikh Hasina's stay there prolongs. 

"This is a hypothetical question. If someone stays in a country why would the relations with that particular country be affected? There is no reason for that," he said, adding that bilateral relations are a big matter.

The adviser made the remarks when a journalist wanted to know whether bilateral relations with India will be affected if Sheikh Hasina's stay in India gets prolonged.

Touhid said bilateral relations are relations of interest and friendship is also for interest. "Friendship does not exist if the interest is hurt," he added.

He said the two sides – Bangladesh and India – have interests and they will follow those interests.

He also said that they were not abandoning any commitment with any country as those commitments were made by Bangladesh.