State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam has said she sees no shortcomings in Bangladesh’s diplomatic efforts to repatriate deposed prime minister Sheikh Hasina from India, saying the process is continuing through established diplomatic channels.
“I do not see any deficiency in our diplomatic efforts. The process is continuing,” she told reporters at the foreign ministry on Thursday afternoon.
The state minister said the repatriation process started during the interim government’s tenure and resumed after the present government took office following the national election.
“These processes take time,” she said, adding that the return of a convicted person under an extradition arrangement or any other applicable legal framework must follow established procedures and international norms.
Shama said the issue does not fall under the sole responsibility of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, as the ministry is also actively involved.
Responding to questions about India’s cooperation and possible legal complications, the state minister said legal issues would be examined by the Ministry of Law and the Ministry of Home Affairs.
“From the perspective of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, we are carrying out the diplomatic process that is required of us. I do not see any shortcomings in that regard,” she added.
Regarding Sheikh Hasina’s reported remarks about returning to Bangladesh, Shama said statements made by a convicted fugitive were not relevant to the ongoing legal and diplomatic process.
She said a Bangladeshi court had convicted Sheikh Hasina and alleged that she left the country after committing crimes, injustices and acts of repression.
“What Sheikh Hasina says or does not say is not relevant here,” she said.
Shama said Bangladesh had been engaging with the Government of India through diplomatic channels since the interim government’s tenure and those communications were continuing.
She said the government expected Sheikh Hasina to be brought back through applicable legal procedures so that she could face due process in Bangladesh.
The state minister said people in Bangladesh expected a fair and transparent trial on allegations of corruption, killings, enforced disappearances and other injustices.
