UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy has called for a full and independent UN-led investigation into the Bangladesh crisis following unprecedented violence and the loss of hundreds of lives over the past two weeks.
With the Army Chief announcing a transitional period, Lammy urged all parties to collaborate to end the violence, restore calm, and prevent further casualties. Notably, Lammy did not mention the country’s longtime leader, Sheikh Hasina, who fled to India and is reportedly seeking asylum in the United Kingdom.
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The last two weeks in Bangladesh have seen unprecedented levels of violence and tragic loss of life. All sides must work together to restore calm under a transitional government.My statement on the ongoing situation ⬇️https://t.co/g0n4dfwHE9
— David Lammy (@DavidLammy) August 5, 2024
UN-led investigation
“The people of Bangladesh deserve a full and independent UN-led investigation into the events of the past few weeks. The UK wants to see action taken to ensure Bangladesh a peaceful and democratic future. The UK and Bangladesh have deep people-to-people links and shared Commonwealth values,” he said in a statement. The UK foreign secretary emphasised the need for action to ensure a peaceful and democratic future for Bangladesh.
Bangladesh descended into chaos on Tuesday as Hasina fled the country in a military aircraft while the army stepped in to fill the power vacuum after days of anti-government protests that have killed more than 300 people. After protestors took to the streets in Dhaka, Bangladesh Army Chief General Waqar-uz-Zaman announced that the 76-year-old prime minister had resigned.
The coordinators of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement has announced that Nobel laureate Dr Muhammad Yunus will be the chief adviser to the interim government in Bangladesh. In a video posted on social media early Tuesday morning, Nahid Islam, one of the key coordinators of the movement, said that Prof Yunus has agreed to take on this crucial responsibility at the call of the student community to save the country, the Daily Star newspaper reported.
This development came after President Mohammed Shahabuddin said an interim government would be formed after dissolving the parliament as soon as possible. In a televised address to the nation late Monday night, the president also ordered the release of former prime minister Khaleda Zia, who is under house arrest after being convicted in several cases.
(With agency inputs)
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