Dhaka withdraws additional escort from some foreign ambassadors

It had been granted in 2016 after the massacre at the Holy Artisan Bakery. The foreign minister justified the measure by saying Bangladeshi representatives do not enjoy the same privileges. The opposition accuses the executive of "irresponsibility and arrogance."

Dhaka (AsiaNews) - A number of foreign ambassadors residing in Dhaka have had the additional security escort that was provided in 2016 after an attack in which several diplomats lost their lives withdrawn a few days ago.

The representatives of the United States, United Kingdom, European Union, India, Saudi Arabia, and Australia were all accompanied by a police team, which the Bangladesh government decided to stop granting as of May 14. 

Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen explained at a press conference that the additional escort will no longer be provided for any country, "because our ambassadors do not enjoy such privileges. This protocol is established on an exchange basis. We will not give extra security to anyone," he said. "We used to give escort services to ambassadors of some countries. Seeing this other states have also started to ask for additional escort services."

"Moreover," he added, "the law and order system in Bangladesh is very good. Consequently, there is no need to provide this facility. However, if an ambassador feels he needs more protection he can hire a security team."

Foreign Ministry Secretary Masood bin Momen explained that additional security measures had been put in place for diplomats following the terrorist attack at an upscale restaurant frequented by foreigners. However, he commented, now the Islamic militia responsible for the attack is no longer a threat and the law and order situation is quite good, so the government sees no need for additional security measures.

"We will never compromise the basic security of foreign embassies and ambassadors. We guarantee it," the secretary assured. 

On July 1, 2016, five armed militants stormed the Holy Artisan Bakery in the diplomatic area holding diners hostage before killing 20: three Bangladeshis, seven Japanese, nine Italians, and one Indian.

The security of diplomats in Bangladesh is guaranteed by the Vienna Convention on the Law of Treaties (which governs bilateral agreements between states) and is provided by the Ansar Special Battalion, a paramilitary auxiliary force responsible for internal order. The foreign secretary also said that the withdrawal of additional security will have no impact on bilateral relations.

Former Ambassador Humayun Kabir recounted that he received no additional security services when he worked abroad as a diplomat: "There were no security crises in the Western countries where I served as a diplomat. So they did not provide me with security. We did not want it. We provided it where it was needed." Kabir has served as Bangladesh's ambassador to the United States and other countries. 

Opposition leader Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, general secretary of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party, expressed dissatisfaction with the government's decision to withdraw the additional police escorts. "I think there are two things-extreme irresponsibility and arrogance-behind the decision to withdraw the additional security escorts for the six ambassadors," Alamgir said.

Bangladesh is home to 58 diplomatic representations including embassies, high commissioners and consulates.