NEW DELHI: Former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who had on Monday sought approval to come to India “for the moment” after fleeing her country, may have to stay here for an extended period amid uncertainty over her move to seek political asylum in the UK.
Hasina, who landed at the Hindon airbase on Monday in a C-130J military transport aircraft hours after resigning as prime minister, has been shifted to an unspecified location under tight security.The former Bangladesh prime minister, accompanied by her sister Sheikh Rehana, planned to leave for London from India to take temporary refuge. Rehana’s daughter Tulip Siddiq is a member of the British Parliament and is economic secretary to the Treasury and Labour MP for Hampstead and Highgate.
However, this option is not being pursued at present. This after UK made it clear that it has no provision within the Immigration Rules for someone to be allowed to travel to seek asylum or temporary refuge. Sources said UK has also stated that those who need international protection should claim asylum in the first safe country they reach – that is the fastest route to safety.
On Monday, British foreign secretary David Lammy had said in London that Bangladesh has seen unprecedented levels of violence and tragic loss of life in the last two weeks and people of the country “deserve a full and independent UN-led investigation into the events”.
“The last two weeks in Bangladesh have seen unprecedented levels of violence and tragic loss of life. A transitional period has been announced by the Chief of the Army Staff,” David Lammy said in a statement.
“All sides now need to work together to end the violence, restore calm, deescalate the situation and prevent any further loss of life. The people of Bangladesh deserve a full and independent UN-led investigation into the events of the past few weeks,” the foreign minister said.
“The UK wants to see action taken to ensure Bangladesh a peaceful and democratic future. The UK and Bangladesh have deep people-to-people links and shared Commonwealth values,” he added.
The government made no official comment on reports of Hasina seeking political asylum in the UK.
Hasina, who landed at the Hindon airbase on Monday in a C-130J military transport aircraft hours after resigning as prime minister, has been shifted to an unspecified location under tight security.The former Bangladesh prime minister, accompanied by her sister Sheikh Rehana, planned to leave for London from India to take temporary refuge. Rehana’s daughter Tulip Siddiq is a member of the British Parliament and is economic secretary to the Treasury and Labour MP for Hampstead and Highgate.
However, this option is not being pursued at present. This after UK made it clear that it has no provision within the Immigration Rules for someone to be allowed to travel to seek asylum or temporary refuge. Sources said UK has also stated that those who need international protection should claim asylum in the first safe country they reach – that is the fastest route to safety.
On Monday, British foreign secretary David Lammy had said in London that Bangladesh has seen unprecedented levels of violence and tragic loss of life in the last two weeks and people of the country “deserve a full and independent UN-led investigation into the events”.
“The last two weeks in Bangladesh have seen unprecedented levels of violence and tragic loss of life. A transitional period has been announced by the Chief of the Army Staff,” David Lammy said in a statement.
“All sides now need to work together to end the violence, restore calm, deescalate the situation and prevent any further loss of life. The people of Bangladesh deserve a full and independent UN-led investigation into the events of the past few weeks,” the foreign minister said.
“The UK wants to see action taken to ensure Bangladesh a peaceful and democratic future. The UK and Bangladesh have deep people-to-people links and shared Commonwealth values,” he added.
The government made no official comment on reports of Hasina seeking political asylum in the UK.
Bangladesh: Hasina Speaks Out After Sudden Exit; Protesters Warn Army Against Military Rule
Source Agencies
