On October 4, 15 Australian MPs wrote to the country’s Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, expressing concern over ongoing human rights abuses in Bangladesh and its potential impact on the upcoming national elections, calling for a ban to ensure that those responsible for undermining Bangladesh’s democratic process cannot enter Australia. In a return letter to one of the signatories and the country’s influential Senator David Shoebridge, the Australian Prime Minister expressed concern.
The country’s 31st prime minister, Anthony Albanese, is reportedly concerned about reports of human rights abuses and restrictions on freedom of expression in Bangladesh.
The Australian Prime Minister’s letter on Wednesday (November 1), addressed to ‘Dear Senator Shoebridge and co-signatories’, begins: Thank you for your letter of 4 October 2023 regarding the upcoming national elections in Bangladesh.
I am concerned about reports of human rights abuses and restrictions on freedom of expression in Bangladesh. I take these matters very seriously.
The Australian Government regularly engages the Government of Bangladesh on human rights and democratic principles, including the need for free, fair and inclusive elections, freedom of expression, protection of minority rights and judicial independence. We do this directly at the official and political level and through the UN Human Rights Council.
At the end of the letter, they were again thanked for bringing the concerns of the Australian MPs about Bangladesh to the attention of the Prime Minister of the country.
Bangladesh Journal/SAP
Tags: Prime Minister Australia worried Bangladesh
