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<p>The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) makes regular assessments of the political
situation in Bangladesh, including through the British High Commission in Dhaka. Bangladesh
is a close partner of the UK and a fellow Commonwealth member, and we welcome our
joint reaffirmation of democratic values at the Commonwealth Foreign Affairs Ministers'
Meeting on 10 July.</p><p>A general election took place in December in which the Awami
League won 96% of seats in Parliament. The Minister for Asia and the Pacific issued
a statement on 1 January noting credible accounts of obstacles and irregularities
in the conduct of elections, and deploring the acts of intimidation and violence that
took place. The UK called for the full and transparent resolution of complaints about
the conduct of the elections.</p><p>The Foreign Secretary also wrote to Bangladesh
Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen in January to express our concerns and to encourage
the Government of Bangladesh to maintain dialogue with opposition parties and civil
society. In April 2019, Minister Field reiterated these concerns and the importance
of engaging with opposition parties and freedom of expression when he met the Prime
Minister and ministers during his visit to Bangladesh.</p><p>Bangladesh remains a
human rights priority country for the FCO. Ministers, and our High Commission in Dhaka,
carry out a wide range of activities to promote human rights and freedom of expression
in Bangladesh, working with civil society and other like-minded partners. We frequently
raise these concerns with the Government of Bangladesh.</p><p>The UK will continue
to engage with the Government of Bangladesh to address these concerns and will support
efforts towards a stable, prosperous and democratic Bangladesh.</p>
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