London

The UK government has strongly denounced “all acts of violence” in Bangladesh and reiterated its call for peaceful and credible elections, as concerns over attacks on Hindus and other religious minorities were raised in the House of Commons.

The issue was highlighted on Thursday by Opposition Conservative MP Bob Blackman, who urged the Labour government to intervene to safeguard minority communities and ensure that the elections scheduled for February are conducted in a free and fair manner.

Blackman, who chairs the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for British Hindus, told lawmakers he was deeply disturbed by what he described as a “disastrous situation” unfolding in Bangladesh, involving killings of Hindus and the destruction of their homes and places of worship.

“Hindu men are being murdered on the streets, their houses are being set on fire, temples are being burned, and other religious minorities are facing similar persecution,” Blackman said in his parliamentary statement.

He also expressed concern about the political climate ahead of the elections, noting that the Awami League, a major political party has been barred from contesting despite enjoying significant public support in opinion polls.

“Elections are due next month, described as free and fair, yet the Awami League, which commands around 30 per cent support in surveys, has been excluded,” he said, adding that Islamic extremist groups have also called for a referendum that could fundamentally alter Bangladesh’s constitution.

Blackman called on Leader of the House of Commons Alan Campbell to raise the matter with Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper and to brief Parliament on steps being taken by the UK to promote inclusive elections and protect minority rights in Bangladesh.

Responding on behalf of the government, Campbell said the UK remains actively engaged with the humanitarian situation in Bangladesh and continues to support the interim administration’s efforts to conduct peaceful and credible elections.

“We have a long-standing commitment to the promotion and protection of human rights, and we continue to emphasise this in our engagement with Bangladesh’s interim government,” Campbell said. “We condemn all acts of violence, whether religiously or ethnically motivated, and we welcome assurances from Interim Head of Government Muhammad Yunus regarding the safety of minorities, including action where arrests have been made.”

Campbell assured Blackman that he would draw the Foreign Secretary’s attention to the concerns raised and said the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) would consider issuing a statement at an appropriate time.

Blackman’s intervention follows a letter sent last week by the Conservative Party’s shadow foreign secretary, Priti Patel, to Yvette Cooper, expressing alarm over what she described as a “very concerning” rise in violence in Bangladesh and urging the UK to step in.

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“Religious freedom must be upheld. The murders of Hindus and ongoing persecution are unacceptable and must end,” said Patel, an Indian-origin MP. “The UK government must use its influence to help restore stability in Bangladesh and work towards a future where religious freedoms are protected and Hindus are safe.”

Meanwhile, British Hindu organisations, led by the Bengali Hindu Adarsha Sangha (BHAS) UK, have organised protests in London to highlight the attacks on minorities in Bangladesh. Protesters have condemned what they described as the “unethical arrest” of interfaith activist Chinmaya Prabhu, the public lynching of Dipu Das by Islamist extremists, and reports of further violence emerging from Dhaka.