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Bangladesh: Attacks on Hindu Community
02 December 2024
Lead MP
Catherine West
Debate Type
Ministerial Statement
Tags
Community Security
Other Contributors: 16
At a Glance
Catherine West raised concerns about bangladesh: attacks on hindu community in the House of Commons. A government minister responded. Other MPs also contributed.
How the Debate Unfolded
MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said:
Government Statement
The UK has a long-standing commitment to the protection of human rights, including freedom of religion or belief. The minister visited Bangladesh last month and discussed bilateral issues with Chief Adviser Professor Yunus, emphasising the importance of protecting religious minorities in Bangladesh. The UK supports these freedoms through its political advocacy and development programme funding, providing up to £27 million from March 2023 to February 2028 under the Bangladesh collaborative, accountable and peaceful politics programme for protecting civic and political space. Specific mention was made about assurances given by the interim Government regarding support for minority communities during Durga Puja and the establishment of a special policing unit to protect mandaps. The UK will continue monitoring the situation and engaging with the interim government on these issues.
Barry Gardiner
Lab
Brent West
Question
Since August, Bangladesh has seen over 2,000 incidents of violence targeting Hindus. There are reports of police standing by as temples were attacked and worshippers assaulted. What more can the Minister do to discuss these issues with the Bangladeshi Government?
Minister reply
Our high commission is discussing with the interim government on verifying and recording attacks, taking remedial action and preventing future incidents. The special policing unit set up recently shows progress. We are closely monitoring developments such as the arrest of Chinmoy Krishna Das.
Priti Patel
Con
Witham
Question
What efforts has the Government taken to engage with the Bangladeshi government on protecting life, preventing violence and persecution, and promoting tolerance for religious belief? What discussions have taken place?
Minister reply
Our high commission is actively involved in guiding a peaceful transition to a new government. During my visit, I prioritised discussing these issues with Professor Dr Yunus and supported the establishment of a policing unit.
Aylesbury
Question
What representations have been made to ensure those who incite or perpetrate violence against Hindus are held accountable?
Minister reply
The UK was among the first to support ministerial efforts in Dhaka, vocalising support for minority rights.
Monica Harding
Lib Dem
Esher and Walton
Question
We share the concerns of Members on both sides of the House about these attacks. I note that the Minister has spoken to her Bangladeshi counterparts, and urge her to continue to do so. The most recent Foreign Office human rights and democracy report lists Bangladesh as a “human rights priority” country and highlights “reports of harassment...particularly towards...Hindu minorities, often incited online.” Can the Minister update us on the progress being made, using UK funding, in combating religious discrimination in Bangladesh? Is that funding at risk of being another casualty of the latest round of cuts in overseas development assistance?
Minister reply
I thank the hon. Lady for her suggestions for the Government. I can confirm that, on 20 November, the Deputy Prime Minister said in Parliament that the envoy appointments were under ministerial consideration and would be decided on in course. We are providing up to £27 million between March 2023 and February 2028 under the “Bangladesh—Collaborative, Accountable and Peaceful Politics” programme for protecting civic and political space, fostering collaboration, reducing corruption, and mitigating tensions that lead to violence.
Rupa Huq
Lab
Ealing Central and Acton
Question
We must be vigilant against all attacks on minorities. Does the Minister agree that at times since 1971 there have been communal tensions of this kind? Between 1974 and 2001, the Hindu population in Bangladesh decreased from 13.5% to 8.5%. May I caution the Minister: following the collapse of the regime after the murder of 800 students, some people may seek to exploit these tensions. Can the Minister assure us that we are doing all that we can to enable the country to make the transition to democracy and what is called Bangladesh 2.0?
Minister reply
The hon. Lady is a champion of human rights in the House.
Bob Blackman
Con
Harrow East
Question
I congratulate my constituency neighbour, my hon. Friend the Member for Brent West (Barry Gardiner), and thank you, Mr Speaker, for granting the urgent question. Hindus are suffering with their houses being burned and their businesses ransacked. Priests have been arrested, and two more were arrested over the weekend. The clear issue is an attempt at ethnic cleansing of Hindus from Bangladesh. Will the Minister come out and condemn outright this violence against Hindus? We want to hear not just words of piety, but absolute condemnation of what is going on.
Minister reply
The hon. Gentleman must rest assured that this was at the top of my agenda when I met Dr Yunus, the leader of the interim Government.
Paula Barker
Lab
Liverpool Wavertree
Question
I congratulate my hon. Friend the Member for Brent West on securing this important urgent question. I represent a diverse community. Both Muslims and Hindus in Liverpool have made representations to me about the growing sectarian violence, the slide to extremism, and particularly the persecution of the Hindu minority. The violence faced by minorities on religious and political grounds must stop. What representations are the UK Government making at the United Nations on this matter?
Minister reply
I commend my hon. Friend for her commitment to the communities in her constituency. In my visit last month, freedom of religion or belief, protection of minorities, and general law and order were right at the top of the agenda.
Desmond Swayne
Con
New Forest West
Question
Clearly, it would have been expedient to have had a special envoy for religious freedom in place; it is all very well for the Minister to say that such an appointment is under ministerial consideration. What is the problem? Do the Government not have anyone committed enough or talented enough to do it?
Minister reply
I am a big believer in mainstreaming all these important responsibilities, because having a special envoy for freedom of religion or belief sometimes lets the Minister off the hook.
Amanda Martin
Lab
Portsmouth North
Question
Residents in Portsmouth North have loved ones and family members in Bangladesh and are concerned about their safety and security. Does the Minister agree that we need to see a peaceful pathway to an inclusive and democratic future for Bangladesh, and can she give us information on how that is being advanced?
Minister reply
I thank my hon. Friend for her question. First, we had a face-to-face meeting with the leadership of the country and, secondly, we are providing ongoing support.
Greg Smith
Con
Mid Buckinghamshire
Question
A number of members of the Hindu community in Mid Buckinghamshire have contacted me to say that they are deeply concerned about the situation in Bangladesh. Does she believe that Bangladesh’s constitution, which guarantees equal status to religions and equal rights in the practice of religion, provides a reliable legal basis on which to domestically prosecute cases of religiously motivated violence?
Minister reply
We stand ready to assist Bangladesh as it goes forward with its difficult road map towards eventually holding elections.
Gurinder Josan
Lab
Smethwick
Question
Can the Minister reassure the House about the importance of religion and belief in Bangladesh and all nations across the world, particularly for minorities? She will appreciate the long-standing, deep ties between the Hindu community in the UK and Hindus in Bangladesh. Can she please detail what engagement she has had with the UK’s Hindu and Bangladeshi communities on this issue?
Minister reply
I thank my hon. Friend for his question. When I was in Bangladesh, I spoke specifically about law and order.
Jim Shannon
DUP
Strangford
Question
Over 16 days, 2,010 people reported incidents, including attacks on 69 Hindu temples. The homes of 157 families were attacked, looted, vandalised or set on fire, and nine Hindus lost their life. What steps can the UK take to work with the Bangladeshi Government and international partners to promote the rights of religious minorities in Bangladesh, to ensure accountability for these heinous crimes, and to promote the fundamental right to freedom of religion or belief for all?
Minister reply
There can be no greater champion of freedom of religion or belief than the hon. Gentleman.
Kirsteen Sullivan
Lab Co-op
Bathgate and Linlithgow
Question
Some of my constituents from the growing Indian community in Winchburgh are increasingly concerned about accounts of horrific acts of violence towards the Hindu community in Bangladesh. Does the Minister agree that violence against Hindus, or any other religious minorities, is entirely unacceptable? What reassurance can she provide to my constituents that the UK Government are supporting all efforts to protect the freedom of religion and belief?
Minister reply
I commend my hon. Friend for calling for freedom of religion or belief, including the freedom not to have a belief; it is so important to our work on this issue. I can reassure her not only that the matter was at the top of my agenda when I visited Bangladesh, but that we continue to monitor any instances of violence and lack of law and order, and continue to offer support where we can to the interim Government of Bangladesh.
Luke Murphy
Lab
Basingstoke
Question
I congratulate my hon. Friend the Member for Brent West (Barry Gardiner) on securing this urgent question, and I thank the Minister for her response. She will be aware that a significant number of members of the Bangladeshi Hindu diaspora in the UK, including in my constituency, have expressed concern about the attacks on the Hindu community in Bangladesh. Several Bangladeshi Hindu community organisations in the UK have recently written to the Foreign Secretary requesting a meeting. What efforts are she and the Foreign Secretary making to engage with the community, and are they willing to attend a meeting to discuss their concerns and the action that the Government are taking?
Minister reply
I am very happy to attend a meeting, as I am sure the Foreign Secretary will be. As part of learning about this brief, I intend to visit a number of places of worship to emphasise the importance of minority faith groups, and to reassure them that in our work abroad, not just at home, we talk about the importance of freedom of religion or belief, or no belief.
Sam Carling
Lab
North West Cambridgeshire
Question
Several of my constituents have been in touch who are incredibly concerned about family members in Bangladesh. Those family members have been living in extreme fear for some time, but particularly since August, and reports of increasing violence against the Hindu community are disturbing. How do the Government intend to support human rights in Bangladesh, and to support the Bangladeshi community in my constituency as they go through this difficult time?
Minister reply
I thank the youngest Member of the House for his concern about Bangladesh and the minority communities there. His constituents can be informed through the meeting that I will hold as the Minister responsible for this brief; I will invite all Members to it. If anybody would like to bring specific examples, we will have a desk there, and we will be able to answer any questions that are forthcoming.
Shadow Comment
Barry Gardiner
Shadow Comment
Since August, over 2,000 incidents of violence have occurred in Bangladesh, targeting minority Hindus who constitute less than 10% of the population. Despite supposed constitutional protections under articles 28 and 39, enforcement remains weak, with reports of police and army standing by as places of worship were vandalised and worshippers attacked. The arrest of a prominent Hindu monk without due process adds to concerns about the rule of law and freedom of religion or belief. With significant Hindu communities in the UK, the shadow asks what further discussions can be held with the Bangladeshi Government and regional partners to lower tensions and ensure calm.
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