British high commissioner, Robert Chatterton Dickson, has said that extradition of the acting chairman of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), Tarique Rahman, from the UK is a matter of the court, not the government. “We don’t make comment on individual cases. Anyone who is in the UK receives protection of the court. Whether they can be removed from the UK is decided by the court, and not by the government,” he said.

Dickson was answering questions at talks organised by the Diplomatic Correspondents' Association, Bangladesh (DCAB), at the Bangladesh Institute of International and Strategic Studies (BIISS) auditorium in the capital yesterday (Monday). DCAB president Raheed Ejaz and general secretary Nurul Islam Hasib, also spoke on the occasion. Dickson said the court would take the decision in such cases or any other case regarding extradition.

Regarding resolving of the Rohingya crisis, the British high commissioner said the UN Security Council is pretty divided on this. But if there is agreement among major powers and international organisations, it can be possible, he added.

“This is an international issue. In order to resolve it, Bangladesh and Myanmar have to reach an agreement. But it needs international support. It needs UN support. ASEAN can also play a role, though Myanmar is a member of it, but not Bangladesh. This is a very complicated issue. The matter also depends on what has been agreed between Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her Chinese counterpart,” he said.

“The Rohingyas need the citizenship. Myanmar recognises 36 different ethnic groups, but not the Rohingyas. It’s a complicated country. The citizenship status can build confidence among the Rohingyas for their return,” he added.

He also said the Security Council should see the crimes committed in the Rakhine state and bring the perpetrators to book. The International Criminal Court is looking into the matter, he added.

“Solution of the crisis would be good for the Rohingyas, good for Bangladesh and good for Myanmar—if properly sorted out. It would be fine if China joins the combined international effort to help resolve the problem by working with both Bangladesh and Myanmar,” he said.  

In reply to a query of US Congressman’s recent proposal to annex Rakhine to Bangladesh for addressing the crisis, Dickson said: “The re-drawing of border is not the answer. It’s a matter of fundamental human rights in Rakhine. It will not be the answer to develop the situation in Rakhine. We don’t support it. What should be happening is that the Rohingyas should be able to go home to Rakhine, and their human rights should be protected.”

Dickson, in his opening speech, also said freedom of expression and the media are essential qualities of any functioning democracy. People must be allowed to discuss and debate issues freely to challenge their governments, and to make informed decisions. He said the UK will be co-hosting a global Media Freedom Conference from July 10 to 11 in London.

He also said since Bangladesh continues its journey to reach the middle income status, it is so vital to allow space for a vibrant civil society, through which the people, especially young people, can channel their energies and their frustrations within the law.