TDS Desk:

An expert team from the UK is likely to visit Bangladesh in September who can provide assistance in reforming the police, said Sarah Cooke, British high commissioner to Bangladesh.

She made the comment during a courtesy call on Home Affairs Adviser Lt Gen Md Jahangir Alam Chowdhury (retd.) this morning (28 August) at his office in the Secretariat.

The meeting discussed various issues including inter-state cooperation in counter-terrorism, combating illegal immigration, flood rehabilitation and cooperation with Rohingyas.

During the meeting, Adviser Jahangir Alam 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 other relevant support in this regard.”

In response, the British high commissioner said an expert team from the UK will visit Bangladesh in September.

They can provide necessary support to Bangladesh in this regard, she added.

Regarding enforced disappearances during the period of the Awami League government, Lieutenant General Md Jahangir Alam Chowdhury (retd) said 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. They will submit an investigation report in this regard within the next 45 days.

Meanwhile, Sarah Cooke said the people of Bangladesh expect an impartial trial of the violence and human rights violations that occurred in the past two months (from 5 June to 5 August).

She also said those who are involved in this incident should be brought under the law and justice soon.

The advisor also briefed the high commissioner about the United Nations Fact Finding Mission’s visit to Bangladesh.

The British high commissioner said the United Kingdom is willing to provide all kinds of help and support to the interim government.

She said 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,” she added.

Sarah Cooke also sought the adviser’s assistance on repatriation of Bangladeshis residing illegally in the UK.

She said the 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 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.

She also said 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 meeting was attended by First Secretary (Political) of the UK Embassy Doyin Adele-Shiyanbola, and Immigration Liaison and Migration Manager Lee MacRae among others.