Unwise for UK to give refuge to ‘despot’ Hasina, says MP Rupa Huq

“As a British Bangladeshi MP my inbox is a lightning rod for Bangladeshi issues worldwide,” she says

British Bangladeshi MP Rupa Huq says it will be unwise for the UK government to give refuge to Sheikh Hasina, who is rumoured to be travelling to the country.

In an opinion piece published in the London Evening Standard, Rupa – MP for Ealing Central & Action - says her inbox has been flooded with messages asking her to ban Hasina from visiting the UK.

“I personally think given the deep unpopularity of her [Hasina’s] bloodthirsty regime and political sensitivities around immigration it’d be unwise for the UK to give refuge to such a high-profile asylum seeker who is subject of an International Criminal Court application,” said Rupa.

“Many Bangadeshis think she should return to face charges there,” she added.

The student-led protests demanding reforms in government job quotas evolved into a government-toppling movement in early August, resulting in several hundred deaths within just three weeks due to widespread violence.

On Aug 5, during the protesters' march towards Dhaka, Hasina left the country.

Referring to Hasina’s departure from Bangladesh, Rupa said: “Most people’s idea of a brutal tyrant is not a sari clad septuagenarian but as the country burned around her Hasina was helicoptered to exile in India.”

Rupa also spoke about Muhammad Yunus, who was sworn in as the chief advisor to the interim government on Aug 8.

“Until recently Hasina was trying to lock him [Yunus] up on trumped up charges fearful of his popularity threatening her.”

The Labour MP also accused Sajeeb Wazed Joy, the former premier’s son, of ‘berating’ Bangladeshi citizens for being ‘ungrateful’ towards Hasina in a series of videos.

“Hasina’s US-based son has issued a slew of videos variously labelling opponents Islamist, berating Bangladeshis for ingratitude to his mum and vowing she’ll be back,” said Rupa.

Speaking of the current situation in Bangladesh, Rupa said that her cousins back in the country have a collective sense of relief following the fall of the Awami League government.

“The climate of fear that voicing any governmental criticism risked being bumped off has lifted. But risk abounds. Hopefully there can be democracy but the deposed camp stress that they ensured stability,” she added.

“When actual elections come round surely rather than the stale enmity between two families that’s characterised Bangladesh’s history, it’s high time for a reset.”