UK Parliament Hears Grave Concerns Over Bangladesh Minority Violence
Senior Conservative MP Bob Blackman has sounded a stark warning in the British Parliament. He raised serious alarms about escalating violence targeting Hindus and other religious minorities in Bangladesh. The prominent opposition leader spoke during a parliamentary debate on Thursday, describing a rapidly deteriorating situation on the ground.
Elections Under Democratic Cloud
Blackman highlighted that national elections scheduled for February 12 are proceeding amid grave democratic concerns. He pointed out that Sheikh Hasina's Awami League, one of Bangladesh's largest political parties, remains banned from contesting the polls. This ban persists despite the party reportedly commanding around 30 percent support in recent opinion surveys.
Hasina was ousted from power last year following violent protests. She currently lives in exile in India, unable to participate in the electoral process.
Graphic Accounts of Violence
The UK parliamentarian delivered disturbing testimony about the conditions facing minorities. "Hindu men are being murdered on the streets," Blackman told Parliament. "Their houses are being burnt; the temples are being burnt; and other religious minorities are suffering similar fates."
He expressed particular alarm about what he described as growing Islamist influence within the country. According to Blackman, extremist groups have called for a referendum that could fundamentally alter Bangladesh's constitution.
Questioning Election Credibility
"Next month, there are due to be so-called free and fair elections," Blackman stated, openly questioning the credibility of any vote conducted without major political participation. He urged the UK's Labour government to press Bangladesh's interim regime to safeguard minorities and ensure genuinely inclusive elections.
In a social media post following his parliamentary address, Blackman confirmed he had urged concrete government action. He specifically called on the Foreign Secretary to issue a statement clarifying what steps the Labour government intends to take regarding the unfolding crisis.
Cross-Party Parliamentary Concern
Blackman was among four UK MPs who recently issued a joint statement expressing "serious concerns" over the ban on the Awami League and other widely supported parties. The group included Jim Shannon, Jas Athwal and Chris Law alongside Blackman.
These lawmakers warned that elections held under the unelected, Muhammad Yunus-led interim government cannot be considered democratic. They emphasized that excluding key political players disregards guidance from both the United Nations and international allies.
Opposition Voices Join Warning
Concerns extend across party lines within UK politics. Last week, former home secretary and current shadow foreign secretary Priti Patel raised her own alarm about religious violence and Hindu persecution in Bangladesh.
In a public post and a letter to the UK foreign secretary, Patel described the situation as "very concerning." She cited reports of at least six Hindus killed within an 18-day period, calling the violence "unacceptable."
International Criticism Mounts
Bangladesh has witnessed a surge in violence against minorities under the Yunus-led interim government. This pattern has drawn criticism from human rights organizations worldwide, adding to international pressure.
India has also weighed in on the troubling developments. On January 9, Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal stated that New Delhi remains deeply concerned about the "disturbing pattern of recurring attacks on minorities, especially Hindus" across Bangladesh.
Jaiswal urged that such incidents be dealt with "swiftly and firmly," indicating regional diplomatic attention to the crisis. The combined voices from UK Parliament and international observers create mounting pressure for action to protect vulnerable communities in Bangladesh.
