LONDON: Much interest of the British MPs about Bangladesh has created enormous curiosity and questions among the Bangalees living abroad.
However, these interests of the British MPs are not new, yet the interests they are showing as the member of the fountain of parliamentary democracy, have aroused questions in the Bangalee community in Britain.
A long discussion in the British parliament held on January 16 and comments made by some MPs are being evaluated from different angles by the Bangalees living abroad.
Some think that the MPs made comments with sufficient information while some think that they had gap in knowing things in proper way.
To make the democracy forward ahead MPs of Britain debated in the parliament and in other forums with some constructive suggestions but the Bangalee community alleged to banglanews that the activities of MPs reflects the two clear divided streams of Bangladesh politics.
Here we like present the thinking of a senior Labor Party MP, member of the Bangladesh Affairs All Party Group, UN related voluntary organization `Liberation’s chair and renowned Human Rights activist Zerimi Corvin`s thinking.
Zerimi Corvin took part in the debate on Bangladesh in the House of Commons held on January 16. He vehemently criticized the incidents of minority repression in post polls period of January 5.
Being a friend of Bangladesh and an ardent supporter of secular spirit the senior MP is also a supporter of the war crimes trial but he has opposed to capital punishment in his own country.
When his opinion was sought regarding the interests of the British MPs, he told that there is a very big community of Bangladeshi in Britain. There are two large groups of supporters of Bangladesh`s two rival political parties. Even there is influence of these groups in British politics. In this case they maintain lobby’s in the British MP groups. This might be the reason of the interests of the British MPs, he admitted.
However, Zerimi Corvi mentioned that influence of the Bangladeshi community and their influence might not be only reason of their interests.
It is a common matter these MPs generally think about the human rights around the globe, rule of law, social justice and the practice of modern democracy are also their interest.
Zerimi told banglanews that he himself is interested about the human rights, the safety of the minorities and the recent happenings in the country.
Disclosing his identity as a human rights activist, member of the Parliamentary Party about Bangladesh Affairs and member of NGO `Liberation` he discussed regularly about Bangladesh in all the platforms mentioned above.
Zerimi told that the recent tragic deaths of garment workers and the standard of the industry have created uproar around the world.
Bangladesh Affairs British All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) will debate on Bangladesh, is vary natural, he said.
The MP asserted the problems of Bangladesh people, their possibilities, happiness, sorrows, solidarity with their sorrows and their involvement with these are very much, we feel and we want to remain by their side always.
“This is not interference in their internal matter. We are very much aware about it,” he added.
Corvin told, “We must understand that though we live in separate geographical boundaries, still we live in same planet. Human right is a universal subject. It is beneficial for all to discuss the problems and possibilities of all around the globe and by everybody.”
However, Zerimi avoided the question about the remark of an MP who mentioned in the House of Commons debate that the present political situation in Bangladesh can invite the interest of the armed forces.
It is to be mentioned here that this senior Labor Party MP elected from Islington of North London regularly participates in the meetings and seminars on Bangladesh. He is very well known in local Bangladeshi community.
BDST: 1940 HRS, MAR 14, 2014
** British MPs on Bangladesh -1
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