Ambassadors of US, UK among 6 countries will no longer get additional security: FM Momen

[Black_cats]

Ambassadors of US, UK among 6 countries will no longer get additional security: Momen​

File photo of Foreign Minister Abdul Momen. Photo: UNB

File photo of Foreign Minister Abdul Momen. Photo: UNB

Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen has said the ambassadors of at least six countries, including the United States, the United Kingdom, India, and Saudi Arabia, will no longer get additional security escort services they used to receive in Bangladesh.

"We have decided not to provide additional security escort services to foreign ambassadors of any country. But if any country feels it is necessary, they can hire the services," the minister told The Business Standard on Monday.

"The service used to be provided to five-six countries. Now, many countries have been asking for it. But we will not give it to anyone, because it is discriminatory. No one gives such benefits to our ambassadors abroad," he added.

The foreign minister stated, "The law and order situation in our country is very good. Nevertheless, foreign diplomats have the option to hire security escorts at their own expense. In such cases, they can avail themselves of the escort services provided by the Ansar battalion for a fee."

Meanwhile, an official from the Diplomatic Security Division of Dhaka Metropolitan Police told The Business Standard that the additional security protocol for various embassies and high commissions has already been withdrawn since Saturday.

On Monday evening, DMP Commissioner Khandker Golam Faruq told the media that due to a shortage of manpower, they have made the decision to refrain from providing any additional protocol to certain diplomatic chanceries.

However, the DMP commissioner clarified that this adjustment in amenities does not imply a compromise on their commitment to security.

The DMP commissioner further mentioned that the number of police personnel deployed for embassy and high commission security will remain unchanged; however, the provision of extra-protocol services will be discontinued.

Meanwhile, in a statement on Monday, Sean McIntosh, Counselor, Public Diplomacy Section, US Embassy, said, "The safety and security of our diplomatic personnel and facilities are of the utmost importance. In accordance with longstanding policy, we do not disclose security details concerning the US Embassy. Per the Vienna Convention, the host country must uphold its obligations to ensure the protection of all diplomatic missions and personnel."

Ambassadors of US, UK among 6 countries will no longer get additional security: Momen

Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen has said the ambassadors of at least six countries, including the United States, the United Kingdom, India, and Saudi Arabia, will no longer get additional security escort services they used to receive in Bangladesh. "We have decided not to provide additional...

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[nahtanbob]

if no one is attacked it is not an issue. But if there is a terror attack Bangladesh might face consequences

 

[Bengal71]

Very nice.

 

[Black_cats]

This time, the government is thinking about stopping the flying of the flag on the foreign ambassador's car​

own reporter
Published: 16 May 2023, 06:07

এবার বিদেশি দূতের গাড়িতে পতাকা উড়ানো বন্ধের কথা ভাবছে সরকার

ভারত, যুক্তরাষ্ট্র, যুক্তরাজ্যসহ ছয় দেশের কূটনীতিকদের সরকারের পক্ষ থেকে দেওয়া বাড়তি নিরাপত্তা বন্ধের সিদ্ধান্ত হয়েছে। কূটনীতিকদের বাড়তি নিরাপত্তা বন্ধের সিদ্ধান্তে...

www.bd-journal.com

The government is thinking about stopping flying flags on the cars of foreign ambassadors and high commissioners posted in Dhaka. Foreign Minister Dr. Monday evening. AK Abdul Momen informed this information.

Dr. Momen said, we have foreign ambassadors flying flags on their cars. Developed countries do not have this system. We are also thinking of stopping it. But not decided yet. When ministers go to developed countries they don't fly the flag. Even if we go, we don't fly. Because this method does not exist.

Meanwhile, it has been decided to stop the additional security provided by the government to the diplomats of six countries including India, the United States, and the United Kingdom. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs says that the law and order situation in Bangladesh is normal and under control. Therefore, there is no need to provide additional security to diplomats.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs says that Bangladesh respects international laws and customs for the security of foreign diplomats. Generally, Bangladesh Police performs the important responsibility of security of foreign diplomats. But after an incident in Bangladesh a few years ago, some foreign diplomats were given additional manpower to assist in the regular traffic movement, including vehicles.

At present, the law and order situation in Bangladesh is normal and under control. So there is no requirement to provide them with additional security. Besides, this additional facility cannot be continued now to increase the scope of work of Bangladesh Police Force.

It may be recalled here that no Bangladeshi ambassador in any country in the world is provided with any facilities for extra security and traffic control in terms of movement

 

[Black_cats]

'As per Vienna Convention, host country must ensure protection of all diplomatic personnel'

BANGLADESH​

UNB
16 May, 2023, 01:35 pm
Last modified: 16 May, 2023, 03:19 pm

The United States has said the safety and security of their diplomatic personnel and facilities are of utmost importance.

"So, I'm not going to get into the specifics about security details concerning the US Embassy or its personnel," Vedant Patel, principal deputy spokesperson for the US Department of State, said during a press briefing on May 15 (US time) at the State Department while responding to a question.

He, however, noted that as per the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, any host country "must uphold its obligations to ensure the protection of all diplomatic mission premises and personnel and take all appropriate steps to prevent any attack on personnel."

Patel made the remarks after Bangladesh decided not to provide additional security escorts for a number of foreign diplomats, including the US and UK envoys, in Dhaka.

Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen yesterday said, "If they want it, they can get it in exchange for payment. We won't provide this extra [security] escort service with taxpayers' money."

"In developed countries, no government provides such extra facilities," Momen said.

The minister said there has been no deterioration of the law and order situation that such service is required.

'As per Vienna Convention, host country must ensure protection of all diplomatic personnel'

The United States has said the safety and security of their diplomatic personnel and facilities are of utmost importance. "So, I'm not going to get into the specifics about security details concerning the US Embassy or its personnel," Vedant Patel, principal deputy spokesperson for the US...

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[Black_cats]

Revoking special protocol for diplomats will ostracise Bangladesh: Mirza Fakhrul​

Photo: Collected

Photo: Collected

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has warned that the decision to revoke additional security protocol for ambassadors will ostracise Bangladesh from the diplomatic world.

Calling the move reckless, Mirza Fakhrul said withdrawing additional security for the six countries - including the United States, the United Kingdom, India, and Saudi Arabia - will create a crisis by damaging the country's diplomatic ties.
"The decision will not yield anything pleasant, rather it will end up causing harm to the people of Bangladesh," he said after attending a joint meeting of the party and its associate bodies held at its Nayapaltan central office on Tuesday.

Earlier, Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen said additional security for some foreign diplomats is 'discriminatory, also no longer required, as the law and order situation in Bangladesh is under control.

He has said that the ambassadors of at least six countries, including the United States, the United Kingdom, India, and Saudi Arabia, will no longer get additional security escort services they used to receive in Bangladesh. However, they will have the option to hire security escorts at their own expense.



During the event, Mirza Fakhrul mocked the government for panicking after the prime minister's 15-day official trip to Japan, USA and UK.


Fakhrul said, "The government is criticising the Western world out of fear as they have become worried after the premier's tri-nation tour."


When asked if BNP lawmakers resigning from the parliament was a good decision, the BNP Secretary General reiterated that it was indeed the right decision and added that the party is not concerned about the ruling Awami League's decision on election-time government.


At the event today, BNP chalked out a 13-day programme to observe the 42nd death anniversary of its founder and leader Ziaur Rahman with due respect.

The observance of the anniversary will begin on May 29 and end on June 10.


Ziaur Rahman, a military ruler turned president, founded the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) in 1978. He was assassinated by a group of army officers at Chittagong Circuit House on May 30, 1981.

As part of the programmes, black flags will be hoisted and party flags kept at half-mast atop the offices of the party, including its Nayapaltan headquarters, at 6am on 30 May.

Besides, party leaders and activists, led by senior leaders, will place wreaths at Zia's grave at Sher-e-Bangla Nagar in the morning.

BNP and its associate bodies will arrange discussions on Zia's activities, from May 29 to June 10 as part of the death anniversary programmes.

The party leaders of Dhaka's south and north city units will distribute food and relief materials among the destitute in different parts of the city on May 30.

The party's all district, city and thana units will also observe the day with various programmes.

Revoking special protocol for diplomats will ostracise Bangladesh: Mirza Fakhrul

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has warned that the decision to revoke additional security protocol for ambassadors will ostracise Bangladesh from the diplomatic world. Calling the move reckless, Mirza Fakhrul said withdrawing additional security for the six countries -...

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