The interim government of Bangladesh has decided to revoke all diplomatic passports, including the one that previous Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina used to leave the country for India on August 5th, after weeks of violent protests in Bangladesh.
The revocation of diplomatic or red passports, which are granted to government officials, ministers, and members of parliament, was announced by the Ministry of Home Affairs on Wednesday, 21st August.
As per the reports, the decision has been taken because of the tense relations that have arisen between the two South Asian neighbors as a result of Hasina’s stay in India. “We have already directed the Department of Immigration and Passports. An official order will be issued soon,” Md Mashiur Rahman, senior secretary of the Security Services Division of the Ministry of Home Affairs was quoted as saying.
He continued, “Their red passports will be revoked as parliament has been abolished and ministers and lawmakers are no longer in their positions.”
Ministers and legislators will need to surrender their passports and apply for ordinary ones, once canceled. To obtain regular passports, those who have been arrested or have criminal cases filed against them must go through the legal process.
The number of people in the nation who carry red passports is unknown, according to the authorities. Further, according to the Home Ministry, only people whose time in government has concluded will have their red passports revoked. This would include former Prime Minister Hasina, who on August 5th resigned and escaped to India amid the political chaos in the country.
According to a memorandum of agreement between Bangladesh and India, diplomatic and official passport holders from both nations are allowed to stay for 45 days without a visa.
Foreign Affairs Advisor Touhid Hossain told media in Dhaka last week that his government will determine whether Bangladesh requests India’s extradition of Hasina, who as he said, faces numerous charges, including murder and genocide.
The 84-year-old Muhammad Yunus assumed office on August 8th, leading an interim government following Hasina’s departure to India due to pressure from weeks of anti-government demonstrations.
The Awami League Party and Prime Minister Hasina were ousted by a student-led movement that began peacefully, with protestors calling for an end to government job quotas. However, the protest turned violent forcing Sheikh Hasina to leave the country for safety. A UN assessment stated that over 650 people died as a result of the student-led protests.
