UK: An event in Parliament is held by a MP to raise awareness of the rising political and religious violence in Bangladesh

UK : parliamentarian’s event brought attention to Bangladesh’s mounting dangers to democracy as well as the concerning increase in political and religious violence.

The Bangladesh Unity Forum and barristers from Doughty Street Chambers attended the event, which was hosted by UK Conservative Party MP Bob Blackman, according to the Awami League.

The lawmakers, attorneys, and activists spoke about what they called an “assault on participatory democracy” ahead of Bangladesh’s elections in February 2026 in response to the Awami League’s “unlawful ban.” The significance of “free, fair, and all-inclusive elections” in the nation was emphasized.

“If the Awami League is not allowed to participate, the upcoming election will lack constitutional legitimacy and disenfranchise millions of ordinary Bangladeshis,” they said.

The speakers also criticized the “lack of due process” in the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) proceedings against former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, charging the government of using the court as a weapon for “political oppression.”

Concerns over an increase in “retaliatory violence, extrajudicial executions, arbitrary detentions, and the abuse of fair trial rights” in Bangladesh have been voiced by UK solicitors in letters to the UN Special Rapporteurs and the International Criminal Court.

Bob Blackman urged Muhammad Yunus’s interim administration in Bangladesh to guarantee free, fair, and inclusive elections last month.

He emphasized that minorities, who suffered during the July protests of last year, must be treated as equal participants in the nation’s social and political life.

“I implore the current administration to guarantee a free, fair, transparent, inclusive, and participatory election in Bangladesh.” According to a statement released by Blackman and shared on his social media accounts, elections are the cornerstone of democracy and a genuine representation of the will of the people.

“When the Yunus administration took power, it pledged to uphold justice and fair play while restoring the rule of law. However, the progress on democratic reform and the restoration of constitutional principles and governance has not proceeded as planned, despite assurances and promises,” the statement said.