The government expressed dissatisfaction over the joint statement issued by 13 foreign missions condemning the attack on independent candidate Hero Alom during the Dhaka-17 by-election.

State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shahriar Alam briefed the diplomats at the state guest house Padma on Wednesday (July 26).

Later he was talking to reporters at Foreign Service Academy this afternoon.

He said, “We expressed our dissatisfaction. I hope they will realize that their joint statement has been presented prematurely, out of step with the flow of events, and they will refrain from such undiplomatic behavior in the future."

He said they advised the diplomats to be constructive, reminding them of the Vienna Convention.

The diplomats have also been warned that bypassing the government and behaving “devoid of objectivity, neutrality and impartiality” will only create a crisis of mutual trust, Shahriar Alam said.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs invited the ambassadors or high commissioners of the 13 foreign missions who issued a joint statement recently after a candidate was assaulted during a by-election to the Dhaka-17 constituency.

The joint statement was signed by the embassies/high commissions of Canada, Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom, United States and the delegation of the European Union.

BDST: 1848 HRS, JULY 26, 2023
MSK/SMS