Bangladesh journalist stopped at UN

A journalist, who doubles up on the BNP’s foreign affairs committee, has been stopped from offering a long comment on Bangladesh’s current situation by an UN spokesperson.

Stéphane Dujarric, the UN Secretary General’s spokesperson, stopped the journalist Mushfiqul Fazal when he tried to detail the way he saw the political situation unfolding in Bangladesh.

“I will stop you there. I'm aware of the situation. I would just love to hear a question,” is what Dujarric told Fazal.

Fazal has used his media credentials to push for BNP’s efforts to ‘internationalise’ the current political impasse.

He started by asking Dujaric about the UN’s position on Bangladesh after the government’s statement of not accepting an intervention by the global body.

The UN official said that they were aware about the arrest warrant for BNP chief Khaleda Zia and that the Secretary General remains ‘very concerned’.

“He (Ban Ki-moon) renews his appeal to all political leaders to seek a peaceful resolution to the current crisis for long term development and stability of Bangladesh,” said the Secretary General’s spokesperson.

“We're obviously aware of the arrest warrant that was issued against the BNP leader. The Secretary General remains very concerned."

Fazal then pointed out Amnesty International’s global report where it raised concerns of ‘extra-judicial killings’ by law enforcing agencies in Bangladesh.

The UN chief’s spokesperson said they were yet to go through the report.

“I think I would just underscore once again the Secretary General's call to all political leaders in Bangladesh to find a peaceful political resolution ...and find  a way to stop the violence,” added Dujarric.