Venice incident involving actress Badhan truly deplorable: Shama

State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam on Wednesday strongly condemned the incident involving Bangladeshi actress Azmeri Haque Badhan in Venice, Italy, describing it as “truly deplorable” and reaffirming the government's opposition to mob violence and lawlessness.

“What happened in Venice, Italy, was a truly deplorable incident,” she told reporters while briefing the media at the foreign ministry.

Shama said representatives of the Bangladesh Consulate in Milan and the foreign ministry had met Badhan following the incident and extended necessary assistance to her.

She said Bangladesh's diplomatic mission in Italy, including the ambassador, provided full cooperation regarding the legal proceedings initiated over the incident.

“Our consulate, on behalf of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, provided full cooperation regarding the legal proceedings initiated there. Our embassy in Italy, including the ambassador, provided complete support,” she said.

The state minister said Bangladesh's diplomatic mission would continue providing necessary assistance for as long as Badhan remained in Italy. “We unequivocally condemn such actions,” she said.

Shama warned that such incidents involving Bangladeshis abroad could tarnish the country's image and stressed that Bangladeshis living or travelling overseas have a responsibility to respect the laws of their host countries.

“When Bangladeshis live abroad, it is natural and expected that they respect and abide by the laws, rules and regulations of their host countries,” she said.

Whether Bangladeshis travel abroad as students, business people or professionals, they must respect the laws of the countries in which they reside, the state minister added.

Shama said the government stood firmly against mob violence and lawlessness, regardless of where such incidents occur.

“Most importantly, we stand firmly against any form of mob violence or lawlessness,” she said.

The foreign ministry's position applies not only to the Venice incident but to any such occurrence involving Bangladeshis anywhere in the world or within Bangladesh, she added.

Shama expressed confidence that Prime Minister Tarique Rahman's government would deal firmly with incidents of mob violence and lawlessness.

Responding separately to questions regarding recommendations from the United Nations on human rights and monitoring, the state minister said the government is committed to ensuring an independent judiciary, the rule of law and protection of human rights.

She said Bangladesh's judiciary has been functioning independently since the establishment of the democratic government and described proceedings at the International Crimes Tribunal as transparent and open to public scrutiny.

Referring to alleged human rights violations over the previous 17 years, Shama said the government wants to ensure that an independent judiciary and the rule of law are firmly established so that people's rights remain protected in the future.

Asked specifically whether the government would accept recommendations from the UN human rights chief, she said the relevant ministries, including the law ministry, would examine the proposals.

“If it is deemed appropriate for consideration, the government will certainly consider any measure or law that safeguards the rule of law and protects the human rights of the people of Bangladesh,” she said.