State minister dodges British citizenship question, asks ‘Who did the news, who is so bothered?’
State Minister for Foreign Affairs Humaiun Kobir did not answer whether he has renounced his British citizenship. Instead, he asked, “Who did the news about this, who is so bothered?”
State Minister Humaiun Kobir made the remarks in response to questions from journalists at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Monday. A journalist asked, “A matter has come up regarding your British citizenship... We need your statement on whether you have renounced it.”
In reply, State Minister Humaiun Kobir said, “I am a Bangladeshi. Here, Bangladesh’s... Bangladeshi. I don’t think there is anyone who would question my Bangladeshi citizenship or my position. I mean, coming here and working for Bangladesh means no opportunistic person would do that.”
Five new ministers and state ministers were sworn in as members of the cabinet last Friday, six months into the BNP government. Humaiun Kobir was sworn in as a state minister under the technocrat quota. He had previously served as the prime minister’s adviser on foreign affairs.
Humaiun Kobir, who grew up in the United Kingdom from childhood, was involved in Labour Party politics there. Several leaders of the UK BNP have confirmed that he is a British citizen. However, they could not confirm whether he renounced his British citizenship before taking charge as state minister for foreign affairs. Sources in the Bangladesh government also say they have no information that Humaiun Kobir has sent a letter seeking to renounce his citizenship.
According to the Constitution, a person who is not an elected member of parliament can be appointed as a minister, state minister or deputy minister, provided that the number of such persons does not exceed one-tenth (a maximum of one out of 10). However, the person must be eligible to be elected as a member of parliament.
Regarding eligibility for becoming a member of parliament, Article 66(2)(c) of the Constitution states, “A person shall be disqualified for election as, or for being, a member of Parliament who acquires the citizenship of, or affirms or acknowledges allegiance to, a foreign state.”
The issue of Humaiun Kobir’s renunciation of British citizenship came up after he was sworn in as state minister. Referring to the matter, a journalist said there was no doubt about the state minister’s Bangladeshi citizenship or his position toward the country. However, netizens (social media users) created a storm over the issue yesterday.
At this point, the state minister asked, “Which one? Netizens? Where?”
In response, a journalist said, “No, there has also been a news report...”
Another journalist said, “If someone has dual citizenship, is there any obstacle to taking up a ministerial position...”
The state minister then asked, “Who is reporting this?”
A journalist then said, “It went viral on social media yesterday...”
State Minister Humaiun Kobir then said, “I am dealing with citizens, and you say netizens! I mean, which netizens? I am dealing with citizens, I work. You say netizens! So, which newspaper? Who is so bothered that they won’t let [us] work, huh? So why are they bothered? Are they getting that 2008 itch again? Is the Moeenuddin-Fakhruddin itch coming back again?”
The state minister further said, “All those people who take a strong position for the country, patriotic people who stand for the country, all these... those in the media, the people of the country, political leaders—we will all now, Inshallah, work together to take this country forward.”
Interested in Mecca defence pact
Reports have recently emerged that Bangladesh wants to join the Mecca defence pact signed between Saudi Arabia, Türkiye and Pakistan. A journalist asked whether there had been any progress on the matter.
In reply, State Minister Humaiun Kobir said, “No, no, we have expressed interest in the Makkah Defence Pact. I told you, Bangladesh is now a country of recognition, and there is an interest. Those who are your Middle East stakeholders, globally those who are various stakeholders in the Muslim world, they are now inviting Bangladesh’s leadership, particularly the leadership of Honourable Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, in many places to come and participate.”
He also said Mecca has always held a special place, adding, “Mecca is in the heart of Bangladesh, in the hearts of the people. So, I mean, if there is something in the Middle East, such as a security pact among Islamic nations, then it would not be unusual for us to go there. Let’s see what happens. We are looking at the matter positively.”