State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam today said she sees no deficiency 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 this afternoon.
The state minister said that the repatriation process began during the interim government's tenure and resumed after the present government assumed office following the national election.
"These processes take time," she said, noting that the repatriation of a convicted person under an extradition arrangement or other applicable legal framework must follow established protocols and international norms.
The state minister said the issue is not solely the responsibility of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, as the Ministry of Home Affairs is also actively involved in the process.
"It is also important to remember that this is not solely a matter for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. It is very much a matter for the Ministry of Home Affairs as well, and they are actively working on it," she said.
Responding to a question on whether India was cooperating or whether legal complications existed, Shama said any legal aspects of the matter 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.
Referring to Sheikh Hasina's reported comments about returning to Bangladesh, the state minister said the remarks of a convicted fugitive were not relevant to the ongoing legal and diplomatic process.
She said a Bangladeshi court had convicted Sheikh Hasina and that she fled abroad after committing numerous crimes, injustices and acts of repression.
"What Sheikh Hasina says or does not say is not relevant here," she said.
Shama said Bangladesh has been engaging with the Government of India through diplomatic channels since the interim government's tenure and those communications remain ongoing.
She said the government expects Sheikh Hasina to be brought back in accordance with the applicable legal procedures so that she can face due process in Bangladesh.
The state minister said the people of Bangladesh expect a fair and transparent trial on Bangladeshi soil over allegations of corruption, killings, enforced disappearances and other injustices.
MSH
