Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed has said his government inherited a fragile law and order situation, but over the past two and a half months, the situation has improved significantly as the administration works to establish the rule of law across the country.
The minister made the remarks on Wednesday during a courtesy meeting with Australian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Susan Ryle at his office in the Bangladesh Secretariat.
Discussions during the meeting covered a wide range of issues of mutual interest, including law and order, security challenges, irregular migration, the Rohingya crisis, police training and capacity building, and Mutual Legal Assistance (MLA).
The high commissioner noted that Australia has maintained a strong bilateral relationship with Bangladesh since the country’s independence, being the first developed nation to recognise Bangladesh.
She informed that approximately 100,000 Bangladeshis currently reside in Australia, including around 28,000 students.
As part of ongoing efforts to strengthen bilateral ties, the meeting also touched upon the upcoming tour of the Australian cricket team to Bangladesh in June. Salahuddin briefed the high commissioner on the ongoing restructuring activities of the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB).
Police training and legal assistance
Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed informed that recruitment and training programmes have been undertaken to enhance the capacity of law enforcement agencies. He called for utilising Australia’s experience in this regard.
While the high commissioner noted that no such training programme currently exists, she assured that Australia is considering the matter with great importance.
The minister also noted that a proposal regarding Mutual Legal Assistance (MLA) has been sent through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The high commissioner added that a Joint Working Group is working to prevent irregular and illegal migration, adding that Australia is working to raise awareness about regular migration.
The home minister welcomed the initiative and expressed Bangladesh’s interest in increasing regular migration by sending skilled and educated manpower.
Salahuddin emphasised increasing international assistance for the rehabilitation and improvement of the living standards of the Rohingya population. He made it clear that without a strong role from the international community, it is not possible for Bangladesh alone to bear the burden of such a vast population.
Referring to the first meeting of the National Committee on Rohingya Camp Security held on 4 May, the minister informed that law enforcement agencies are active in curbing drugs and crime in the camps.
The high commissioner agreed on the need to continue international funding and assistance on the Rohingya issue.
‘Significant improvement’ in law and order
The home minister stated, “I inherited a fragile law and order situation. However, over the past two and a half months since assuming responsibility, the situation has improved significantly. We want to establish the rule of law in the country.”
The high commissioner expressed satisfaction at the progressive improvement in the law and order situation and expressed confidence in the government of Bangladesh.
Present at the meeting from the Bangladeshi side were Additional Secretary of the Political Division of the Ministry of Home Affairs Ziauddin Ahmed, Joint Secretary of the Political-1 Sub-Division Rebeka Khan, and Deputy Secretary of the Political-1 Branch Begum Minara Nazmeen.
The Australian delegation included Home Affairs Counsellor of the Australian High Commission Reuben Gray and First Secretary (Political) Harry Thompson.
