UK Member of Parliament and Shadow Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Affairs, Priti Patel, expressed worry about the situation in Bangladesh, emphasizing the need to safeguard religious freedom in the country. Patel urged the UK government to leverage its influence to promote stability in Bangladesh and ensure the safety of Hindus.
In a letter to the UK Foreign Secretary, Patel highlighted reports of six Hindus being killed within an 18-day period, denouncing the escalating persecution and violence as unacceptable. She questioned the UK government’s actions in monitoring and engaging with Bangladeshi authorities to address the surge in violence and protect religious minorities.
Patel pressed for information on the steps taken by the UK government to monitor and advocate for the protection of Hindu communities in Bangladesh. She also inquired about the direct communications between UK officials and Bangladeshi authorities regarding the recent spike in violence and sought assurances on measures to safeguard minorities from attacks.
The Human Rights Congress for Bangladesh Minorities (HRCBM) documented over a hundred deaths of minorities, including Hindus, within a seven-month period, attributing the violence to a systematic pattern of targeting minorities nationwide. The organization raised concerns about the increasing attacks on minorities under the interim government led by Muhammad Yunus, prompting global outrage and calls for action.
