Credible elections are key to protecting constitutional democracy and human rights, said UK Minister

Credible elections are key to protecting constitutional democracy and human rights, said UK Minister for the Indo-Pacific Anne-Marie Trevelyan yesterday.

She stressed on the importance of stability and inclusive policies for Bangladesh’s long-term development, and said building confidence and trust among political parties can help avoid violence in elections. She added that avoiding political cases and arrests can help build the trust needed.

The international community too can help by offering election observers, she mentioned.

“I laud the prime minister’s commitment to fair and credible elections,” she said while addressing a seminar on “UK-Bangladesh Partnership in the Context of Indo-Pacific” at the capital’s Foreign Service Academy.

Trevelyan started her three-day visit to Bangladesh on Friday. Yesterday, she called on Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina at her official residence Gono Bhaban and Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen at the foreign ministry. She also visited the Rohingya camps in Cox’s Bazar.

She said bilateral trade, cooperation in the areas of climate change, and addressing the Rohingya crisis are some of the major areas where the two countries are working together closely.

She said the UK is holding Myanmar accountable at the UN Security Council, as well as supporting Bangladesh in terms of humanitarian assistance. The ultimate solution to the crisis is safe and sustainable repatriation.

Noting that the Ukraine-Russia war has created immense challenges of food and energy security, she said there is a higher need of cooperation on these aspects between the two countries.

Meanwhile, Momen at a meeting with Trevelyan said the next election in Bangladesh will be held transparently and fairly, reports UNB.

“You don’t need to worry about it. We want to hold a free, fair, transparent, credible, and acceptable election,” he said.