441-01293 (Foreign affairs)

Canada attaches great importance to protecting and advancing human rights and democracy, including respect for diversity, pluralism, and the rule of law. Canada recognizes the critical need to continue to strengthen democratic norms and institutions around the world, which is reflected in engagement with all international partners. Canada believes that peace, prosperity, and democracy are mutually reinforcing and must be built through inclusive approaches that respect human rights, diversity and gender equality. These values remain a priority for Canada’s engagement at home and abroad. The promotion and protection of human rights remains a key element of Canada’s international policies and engagement, including in Canada’s relationship with Bangladesh. Canada strongly believes that respect for all human rights is essential to achieving a stable, inclusive and prosperous world.

Canada continues to closely monitor the democracy and human rights situation in Bangladesh. Canada publically conveyed its concerns regarding credible claims of irregularities, harassment, intimidation, and violence exhibited during the 2018 general elections in Bangladesh, as well as the lack of transparent action by the relevant authorities to address these claims. Canada has privately voiced human rights concerns during meetings with Prime Minister Hasina and publicly through editorials in the national newspaper; and directly funds the country’s strongest human rights lawyers, advocates and organizations. In concert with likeminded partners, Canada is a vocal supporter of human rights in Bangladesh, with related public statements and programing in its role co-chairing the Media Freedom Coalition, and through the High Commission of Canada in Dhaka.

As part of the United Nations Human Rights Council's Universal Periodic Review in 2018, the Government of Canada recommended that the Government of Bangladesh: ensure that freedom of assembly and expression extends in practice to all people, media, civil society and political parties; eliminate child, early and forced marriage, including by reforming the Child Marriage Restraint Act to remove the exception for child marriage in “special cases”; and take active steps to include LGBTI persons in human rights legislation in recognition of the many dangers and other challenges faced by the community. The upcoming Universal Periodic Review process for Bangladesh in 2023 will again provide Canada with an avenue to provide constructive feedback on the human rights situation in this country.

Canada will continue to engage with the Government of Bangladesh on these important issues.