Published : 26 Aug 2026, 03:34 AM
Updated : 08 Sep 2026, 09:35 AM
Law Minister Md Asaduzzaman has waded into the controversy surrounding the “British citizenship” of State Minister for Foreign Affairs Humaiun Kobir, saying the government has acted “in accordance with the Constitution”.
Speaking to reporters following an event at the Secretariat on Tuesday, the minister said: “What the government has done it did so adhering to the Constitution.
“Nothing improper or unlawful has occurred here.”
In the minister's words, “This is known as a ‘deeming clause’.
“When the oath was taken, we did so constitutionally.”
Asaduzzaman added, “We believe that every individual has the right to access legal aid. This is both a fundamental and human right.”
Speaking at the foreign ministry on Monday, BNP leader Kobir, who joined the cabinet as a technocrat, said he became a minister as a Bangladeshi and did not expect anyone to question his identity.
Asked about reports that he holds British citizenship, Kobir replied, “Which newspaper? Why is he so bothered? I mean, leaving aside all other work…”
“I am Bangladeshi. I am here as a Bangladeshi minister. I do not think anyone will question my Bangladeshi identity,” he said.
Kobir was sworn in on Friday after serving as the prime minister’s foreign affairs advisor.
Raised in Britain from early childhood, he has been the subject of media reports over his alleged British citizenship.
Articles 56 and 66 of the Constitution bar dual citizens from serving as ministers and disqualify anyone who acquires foreign citizenship from becoming a lawmaker, unless that citizenship is later renounced.
A Prothom Alo report said Kobir was born in Sylhet and moved to Britain with his family at two and a half, later becoming involved in Labour Party politics and acquiring British citizenship.
Asked about the online discussion over whether he had relinquished it, Kobir said: “I’m talking about citizenship; you’re talking about netizens.”
He later questioned the newspaper’s motives, referring to its Editor Matiur Rahman and invoking the political upheavals of 2008.
The UK Companies House register lists Kobir as a British citizen, with the UK recorded as his country of residence.
Kobir previously served as a director of Hamlet Community Development Initiative CIC, a company registered with Companies House.
According to the UK government’s website, Kobir became a director of the company on Jan 18, 2012, and resigned just over a month later, on Feb 24.
