Momen asks UK state minister to take advice if any weakness in democracy

Foreign minister AK Abdul Momen has said the United Kingdom can take advice from Bangladesh if they have any weakness in democracy and human rights.

He has also asked the UK not to be worried over the Bangladesh next election slated to be held in December or early next year.

Speaking to newsmen, Momen said he told these to the UK state minister (Indo-Pacific) of Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) Anne-Marie Trevelyan.

On the last day of her three-day visit to Bangladesh, Trevelyan met Momen at his office in the afternoon.

While talking about the meeting, the foreign minister said, "They didn't ask, I have talked about the next election. We want to hold a fair, good and acceptable election. We have built the institutions which are required for that."

Mentioning to the UK state minister that the election commission has been entrusted with power and it can do whatever it likes, the foreign minister said none has scope to exercise power.

Saying that people of Bangladesh do not make mistakes during the election, Momen said, "Our people are very smart. They are quite mature. They never make mistakes in casting votes. So you have no need to be worried."

He said, "Democracy, justice and human rights are in our blood. We have no scope to take lessons from others in these matters. If you have any weakness, you can take it from us."

When asked whether the UK state minister said anything about the election, the foreign minister said, "She didn't say anything, she only listened. She said they may have different opinions on democracy."

Saying that detailed discussions have been held over the Rohingya issue, Momen said, "Rohingya was the main issue. She wanted to know whether there was any dialogue after the Myanmar army took over power. We said dialogue took place."