Dhaka, Bangladesh (Agencies): Bangladesh has expressed strong discontent over what it calls “misleading statements” made by an all-party parliamentary group (APPG) of the United Kingdom regarding deaths and minority issues in the country. Foreign Affairs Adviser Md Touhid Hossain conveyed this sentiment to British High Commissioner to Bangladesh Sarah Cooke during a meeting at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Wednesday.
Hossain emphasized that Bangladesh is “very hurt” by the attempt to portray an increase in deaths after August 5, which he stated is “completely false”2. He invited Cooke to his office to present Bangladesh’s position and requested her to relay the actual situation on the ground to the UK government.
The adviser highlighted that nearly 1,500 people were killed before August 5, and the statement by the APPG misrepresented the events of the July-August uprising. He also pointed out that some British-based organizations have presented information that does not reflect the authentic on-the-ground details.
In response, Cooke assured Hossain that she would pass on the message and suggested that Bangladesh’s mission in London could also take steps to communicate the accurate narrative. The adviser reiterated Bangladesh’s commitment to counter misinformation and ensure that the international community is apprised of the true facts about the situation in the country.