UK seeks consular access from Bangladesh

Dhaka, May 15: The United Kingdom has formally sought from Bangladesh the consular access to the British nationals arrested in eastern Sylhet town yesterday on charge of violating the State of Emergency rules that restricted all political activities in the country.

Ten British and Canadian nationals of Bangladeshi origin came to Dhaka from London on May 7 with former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina who was earlier barred from entering the country.

The army-backed interim caretaker government restricted Ms Hasina's return apprehending that her presence would disturb law and order situation and stability in the country. However, the restriction was withdrawn under intense pressure from the international community.

Yesterday, the army-led joint forces arrested nine Bangladeshi-British and one Bangladeshi-Canadian nationals along with 30 local leaders of Awami League party led by Ms Hasina while allegedly holding a meeting in Sylhet town. They were immediately sent to Sylhet jail with one month's detention order for alleged violation of the emergency rule.

Under the Bangladesh Constitution, a Bangladeshi citizen can posses two nationalities but they can not participate in national elections.

''We are aware of the arrest and detention of a number of British nationals in Sylhet and in touch with the relevant authorities,'' British High Commissioner to Bangladesh Anwar Choudhury today said responding to media queries.

''We have asked for confirmation of the details of the arrests and have formally sought consular access to the British nationals,'' he added.

The British government expects that the detainees will be well treated and given full access to their consular rights, Mr Choudhury said.

Since promulgation of the State of Emergency on January 11, the caretaker government of Chief Advisor Fakhruddin Ahmed rounded up hundreds of political leaders, former ministers and members of parliament on corruption charges. The emergency imposed to quell the political turmoil over the abortive general elections earlier slated for January 22.

Dr Ahmed promised to the nation to hold the stalled parliamentary elections before the end of 2008 after implementing some reforms to hold credible elections free from money and muscle powers.

UNI