Special Correspondent :
After AL boycott, Lord Carlile in a statement clarified his stance saying that the statement of Press Minister. Nadeem Kadir of Bangladesh High Commission in London about the holding and conduct of the seminar was “false”.
He also said that he had a statement on July 12 and it was sent to respective participants. Accordingly the Bangladesh government delegation confirmed their attendance.
The statement said: “The seminar is not an official or public event. Rather, it is a privately organised and closed event in which I intend to give invited participants the opportunity to make short statements, hopefully focused on democracy and the Rule of Law in Bangladesh, followed by a relaxed and constructive open discussion, which I shall chair. I hope and expect that those invited will recognise that the event has been created in a constructive and cooperative spirit.”
It continued: “It is taking place in the UK Parliament, where we apply the doctrine of free speech whether we like or dislike those with whom we may disagree: there will be no compromise of that doctrine. I shall consider it lacking in courtesy if any intended participant wishes to exclude any other, or withdraws because some other person or group will be given the opportunity to speak. I am sure that this will not occur.”
“I look forward to seeing you all at the event, and am grateful for the efforts many are making to be there. Our aim was to provide an opportunity for a factual analysis of the very serious problems affecting secular political parties/groups as well as ethnic & religious minorities in context of the growing extremism and the worrying culture of impunity and democracy, rule of law.”
The statement said: “These are areas of legitimate and continuing interest for the UK Parliament as well as the international community and it was hoped that the Bangladesh Government would use the occasion of the seminar to provide its inputs and engage in a constructive and mature manner. Unfortunately, they have withdrawn in the last moment without valid reason.”
“It may be mentioned here that I and Anne Maine MP has organised a similar pattern seminar where the Awami League/Govt has attended without reservation last year,” it added.
