Extrajudicial killings not tolerable in democracy

Visiting UK Minister of State for International Development Desmond Swayne yesterday said extrajudicial killings cannot be tolerated in democracy and called for ensuring investigation into such crimes to bring the 'perpetrators' to justice.

"Bangladesh is a democracy. It's essential that democratic values should be preserved and maintained, that means you can't tolerate extrajudicial killings," he said in response to a question at a pre-departure press conference.

Swayne, who came to Dhaka on August 23 on his first visit, however declined to comment on extrajudicial killings in Bangladesh. "I am not in a position to make that judgement on the basis of a three-day visit," he observed.

He however said, "I believe it is essential that those crimes are investigated and the perpetrators are brought to justice. So, it's for the government and police to ensure those crimes are investigated."

The British minister has concluded his three-day Bangladesh mission yesterday, visiting a garment factory, Korail slums at Banani and the UK-funded projects in Dhaka and Kurigram river islands to see how British support has been transforming lives of some of the poorest people in Bangladesh.

He met Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Finance Minister AMA Muhith, Foreign Minister AH Mahmood Ali and the founder and Chairperson of BRAC Sir Fazle Hasan Abed.

At the press conference held at British High Commission Staff Amenities Centre at Baridhara, Swayne declared up to £3 million in humanitarian aid for flood victims in Bangladesh.

British High Commissioner in Dhaka Robert Gibson and head of DFID Sarah Cooke were present on the occasion.

Minister Swayne lauded Bangladesh's success in achieving the MDG targets and expressed the hope that the country would equally be able to achieve the newly set Sustainable Development Goals where new issues like governance has been included.

He said new goals include the whole issues of peaceful society and a healthy civil society under the rule of law to bring the government to account. "We want a peaceful society with strong civil society, strong institutions including the press which are able to hold the government accountable," he added.

Responding to a question on the ICT Act, the UK minister said freedom of press, freedom of speech and space for civil society -- these are very important issues.

He declined to comment on the freedom of press and expression in Bangladesh.

"If any foreign politician came to me in London and told me 'you do it', I should be quite rude to him. As I said it is not for me as a foreign politician to come and tell you how to run your country. That is a solution that Bangladesh itself can find. That's for you," he insisted.

On arrest of a British national, he said he has no knowledge about the details of police investigation. "I don't know anything about the case. It's a police and judicial matter."

In reply to another question on the role of international community to increase price of Bangladesh readymade garment, Swayne said it is rare that anyone volunteers to pay high price.

But people are certainly ready to pay higher price for quality goods, he said and suggested that Bangladesh should take control of its supply chain.