Dhaka, 14 October 2018

The Foreign Minister Abul Hassan Mahmood Ali, MP, and Minister for Law Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Anisul Huq briefed the diplomatic corps today at the State Guest House Padma on recent political developments in Bangladesh, particularly on the verdict in the case of the 21^st August 2004 Grenade Attack and the recently passed Digital Security Act 2018.

At the outset, the Minister narrated the incidents that took place on 21 August 2004 in a political rally organized by the then opposition party Awami League where the terrorists sponsored by the government of Begum Khaleda Zia hurled grenades on the Sheikh Hasina, the President of Awami League and the then opposition leader. The attack killed 24 individuals including the leader of Awami Women’s League and injured many. He informed the diplomats how the then government interfered in the investigation and derailed the whole justice process. The judgment has finally been announced after 14 years of arduous journey and the convicts have been awarded with punishment. He also said the attack was planned and executed under direct supervision of Tarique Rahman, the son of the then Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia who now remains fugitive and upon conviction, life imprisonment has passed on him. Hon’ble Foreign Minister referred to the European Parliament’s Resolutions of 2014 and the recent verdicts of Canadian Federal Court declaring BNP as an entity that engages in terrorism and violent extremism.

Hon’ble Law Minister stated that the trial has gone through due process of law having heard 225 witnesses in total. The Defense were allowed to exercise all rights guaranteed to them under the law.

Afterwards, in the context of International Day against Death Penalty the EU Ambassadors raised their general reservation on death penalty and asked whether Bangladesh has any plan to abolish or put moratorium on death penalty.  In response the Foreign Minister stated that Bangladesh is not abolishing the death penalty considering its public opinion and socio political reality.   

The diplomats were also briefed about the newly passed digital security Act. Foreign Minister, referring to the provisions of ICCPR and European Convention Human Rights, explained why such law is necessary to ensure public safety and order.

Law Minister referred to the concerns raised by certain members of diplomatic corps and informed that the law has been finalized after intensive consultation with the editors’ council and other journalist groups as well as diplomats. He reiterated that, the government of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has no intention to curb freedom of expression which lays foundation of its democratic governance and the law would rather ensure people’s right to safe digital space.

The diplomats appreciated the briefing and expressed their eagerness to engage with the government in future.