British High Commissioner to Bangladesh Sarah Cooke paid a courtesy call on Interior Advisor Lt. Gen. Md. Jahangir Alam Chowdhury (retd.) in his office at the Bangladesh Secretariat in the capital on Wednesday (August 28) morning.
The meeting discussed various issues including inter-state cooperation in counter-terrorism, combating illegal immigration, assistance in police reform, flood rehabilitation and cooperation with Rohingyas.
During the interview, the adviser said, we have taken initiatives to reform the police with the aim of building an efficient, impartial and people-friendly police force, but it is at an early stage. The UK can help with training and ancillary support in this regard. In response, the British High Commissioner said that an expert team from the UK will visit Bangladesh in September. They can provide necessary support to Bangladesh in this regard.
Lieutenant General Md. Jahangir Alam Chowdhury (retd) said that a five-member impartial investigation commission has been formed under the chairmanship of a retired judge of the High Court to search for the missing persons by the law and order forces during the previous Awami League government, who will submit an investigation report in this regard within the next 45 days. Meanwhile, Sarah Cook said that the people of Bangladesh expect an impartial trial of the violence and human rights violations that occurred in the past two months (05 June to 05 August). He said that those who are involved in this incident should be brought under the law and justice soon. The advisor informed the High Commissioner about the visit of the United Nations Fact Finding Mission to Bangladesh.
The British High Commissioner said that the United Kingdom is willing to provide all kinds of help and support to the interim government. He said that the United Kingdom has been working together with Bangladesh for several years in the fight against terrorism. We would like to increase cooperation in this regard in the future. Advisor assures necessary assistance in this regard.
Sarah Cook seeks adviser’s assistance on repatriation of Bangladeshis residing illegally in UK. He said that Standard Operational Procedure (SOP) will be followed in this regard. At this time, the adviser sought the cooperation of the United Kingdom in the rehabilitation and repatriation of the Rohingyas. The High Commissioner said that the United Kingdom is the second largest country in financing Rohingya aid. Over the past 7 years, the country has spent £400 million on Rohingya aid. He also said that the United Kingdom is working with the United Nations Security Council so that the Rohingya issue is under the attention of the international community. The adviser sought the help of the United Kingdom to help the flood victims.
The meeting was attended by senior Home Office officials including Doyin Adele-Shiyanbola, First Secretary (Political) of the UK Embassy and Immigration Liaison and Migration Manager Lee MacRae.
